White Spot Under Mouth of Tetras

[bozatron]

Hi All,

I have only had this second hand tank with fish for 5 days now, but I have just noticed that approximately 3 or 4 of the 13 tetras look like they have some sort of white spot under their mouths. I have tried to take some pictures and have attached them here.

I ran some tests on the water and they were:
Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Nitrates: about 5.0 ppm
Nitrites: 0 ppm

Anyone have idea what this might be and what I can do to try and fix it?

Thanks!!

 

[hobby5]

Google for cotton mouth disease. If you care very well for your fish including pristine water quality and good food they might recover. It is usually stress and water quality related.

 

[FroFro]

Nitrate, nitrites and ammonia should all be at zero. Do a 50% water change right now. Test again and record numbers. If they are still not at zero make sure your gravel has been vaccumed and that there is no sludge like substance on your filter media. Proceed for another water change. Thr number one cause of fish illness is stress. Poor tank maintenance and lack of a proper water change schedule will cause this.

Can you also tell us what other tank mates you have and the size of your tank?

 

[bozatron]

Nitrate, nitrites and ammonia should all be at zero. Do a 50% water change right now. Test again and record numbers. If they are still not at zero make sure your gravel has been vaccumed and that there is no sludge like substance on your filter media. Proceed for another water change. Thr number one cause of fish illness is stress. Poor tank maintenance and lack of a proper water change schedule will cause this.

Can you also tell us what other tank mates you have and the size of your tank?

Thanks, I will try that. I only just changed the water two days ago but will try another water change.

The tank also came with 3 guppies, a betta (which I will be removing from this tank), and a bristlenose catfish. The tank is just over 50L, so I know its overstocked! I'm hoping to get a larger tank at some point in the future.

I have been reading about cotton mouth and some people recommend melafix and pimafix. Should I try to add this too?

 

[FroFro]

NO that stuff is garbage and causes weird things to happen to a bettas labyrinth organ. Your tank is overstocked alright. That's the reason for the spikes in your water parameters. I'd reccomend 30% water changes everyday until you get a new tank. I know it seems excessive but your fish will get sick otherwise.

 

[bozatron]

NO that stuff is garbage and causes weird things to happen to a bettas labyrinth organ. Your tank is overstocked alright. That's the reason for the spikes in your water parameters. I'd reccomend 30% water changes everyday until you get a new tank. I know it seems excessive but your fish will get sick otherwise.

I understand, will do that and start looking for a new tank. Any suggestions on what I should get would be really appreciated!! I've found some second hand tanks online that range from 150-350L, but I don't know if it's good to buy secondhand?

 

[hobby5]

The larger the better But be aware of the running costs and the space needed.

Second hand is ok, if the source is trustworthy. I have many second hand tanks. Just inspect the tank carefully, before buying.