Hmmmm Not Sure What This Is?

[Phishy25]

Today I have noticed that one of the platies I purchased over the weekend looks a little weaker than the rest and has a tiny white patch on it's back. I don't think it's ich because it just looks like his pigment is missing rather than sugar like grains. Now one of my healthy orange platies has these white patches too. I have just checked my water stats, everything is fine and have dosed the tank with Melafix. This has turned my tank into a big frothy bubble bath

Would I be better off treating the tank for ich? I'm pretty sure it isn't this, just think I have been sold a sickly platy which has spread something.

Any advise?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah melafix does bubble up doesn't it!!

sounds like some sort of fungus to me, think melafix is the right thing to be treating with.

 

[Phishy25]

Ok cool. Would turning the temp up help or not?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

don't think it matters with fugus, although i'm not 100% sure

 

[GoldLenny]

Melafix is more for antibacterial. Pimafix is for fungal issues.

Although Melafix foams a little, I never had it turn my tank into a "big frothy bubble bath". Are you sure you didn't overdose?

 

[Phishy25]

Melafix is more for antibacterial. Pimafix is for fungal issues.

Although Melafix foams a little, I never had it turn my tank into a "big frothy bubble bath". Are you sure you didn't overdose?

No, calculated the dose exactly. Think it's because I have a powerful Hydor airo air pump inside which has made it bubbly! Calmed down a little, but fish still look bemused!
Can I use Primafix even though I have dosed it once with Melafix?

 

[GoldLenny]

Yes. PimaFix and MelaFix are designed and tested to work together. They actually form a much stronger antibacterial when combined also. I've used them as a cocktail on several occasions over the years. If you have any labyrinth fish like Bettas, Gouramis, etc., use only a 50% dose, otherwise it's OK to use full dose. Follow the instructions for water changes, etc. And remember, prior to using any medicine, it's always a good idea to do a couple of 25% PWC's to remove excess DOC's and waste from the water. This allows the meds to work better/faster.

 

[Phishy25]

Ok I am following the above advise, but what happens if this actually turns out to be whitespot/ich? Will these medicines treat this aswell or will I need to buy a seperate whitespot treatment?

 

[Maximumbob]

IMHO for the 'i know they're sick but I dunno what' category of fish I generally use Waterlife Protozin. Its effective against whitespot, fungus and a few other diseases. Treating with this first whilst finding more information is a prudent thing to do.

I always have some spare in the cupboard just in case.

I like the API product though. You cant beat a good natural remedy - helps beat any developing resistances.

ps. I always run a carbon filter in my tank after a course of treatment. I use the little one from the PFK aquacube filled with carbon works a treat! And although I have recommended protozin. The basic meds rules apply - always dose as directed on bottle, & always finish the course.

 

[Phishy25]

Starting to think it is whitespot because noticed some flicking and tiny salt like grains. Can I start whitespot treatment now nad continue with the other meds?

 

[GoldLenny]

Look at these pictures of Ich and make sure. http/images.google.com/images?svnum=50&a...q=fish+with+ich

You don't want to become paranoid and over medicate your fish. Sometimes, people overmedicating cause as many problems as the minor health issue.

You don't really need medication for Ich. You can simply raise the salt level in your tank to 0.3% over the course of 36 hours (0.1% every 12 hours) and slowly raise the temperature to 82F-85F over that same time period. This will speed up the life cycle of the Ich parasite and the salt will kill it. Keep the temp and salt in the tank for a week after you see the last spot on your fish. Then you can do a series of 25% PWC's to return the tank back to normal freshwater and slowly lower the temp back to normal.

 

[Phishy25]

ok, well after the weekend I noticed most fish had whitespot so I did a 50% water change, vaccumed the bottom and then treated with No6 whitespot treatment. Turned the temp up to 28 degrees, but didn't add salt because I have corydoras. This morning I have discovered a tank of dead fish!!!!
I have lost 8 so far! 2 bosemani (my males), 4 neons, a guppy and a platy. Water stats were ok, only thing was my air pump packed up over night. I know high temps and meds starve the water of oxygen so thats what I think has gone wrong? Given the pump a kick and now it's working again. Remaining fish look more with it now, but still have rapid gill movement. Have turned temp down aswell now, but worried I won't kill the whitespot. Suposed to dose again tomorrow, but scared to lose any more fish