Is something wrong with otocinclus

[frosty27]

One of my oto's was looking poorly (I suddenly lost one yesterday) this one seems to have something on it. Was wondering if anyone has any ideas what I could be?

 

[Madisonkrug]

Looks like his protective coating is coming off or possibly has a fungus. Have you done any water changes in the past day? Have you checked your parameters and if so can you post them?

 

[itiwhetu]

Water parameters please?

 

[itiwhetu]

If you can post a picture of the whole tank, that may help as well.

 

[frosty27]

Water parameters please?

amonia is 0
nitrites is 1 not sure why as did a 20% water change 5 march and always do a water test before I change water (was 0.5 before water change) I seem to be having nitrite spikes.
ph is 7
tank is a 52ltr fluval sea evo (i have it as a fresh water tank) planted tank

 

[frosty27]

have had the oto in my breeding box for a couple of days and after the water change it seemed better, BUT we did loose a endler guppy yesterday.
I am going to do another 20% water change after school run. Out of all my oto's this one seems to be the smallest.

 

[Essjay]

If nitrite reads more than zero a water change is needed to get it down. With a nitrite spike the best way to treat it is test every day and do a water change when it reads above zero.

 

[frosty27]

If nitrite reads more than zero a water change is needed to get it down. With a nitrite spike the best way to treat it is test every day and do a water change when it reads above zero.

Ok so plan is daily water changes til get a zero nitrite reading.
What % water change should I be doing?
Been doing 10ltrs out 10ltrs in changes (52ltr tank so about 20%) or should I up it to 50% changes?

 

[Essjay]

The water change should be as large as necessary to get the reading right down. With a level of 1 ppm, 10 litres out of 50 will only remove 0.2 ppm leaving 0.8 ppm still in the water. I would do at least 50%, more if possible.

 

[Madisonkrug]

have had the oto in my breeding box for a couple of days and after the water change it seemed better, BUT we did loose a endler guppy yesterday.
I am going to do another 20% water change after school run. Out of all my oto's this one seems to be the smallest.

Was there a heater in the breeding box? And after you returned it to the main tank did you finish with a water change? It’s possible there was a temperature shock if the breeding box didn’t have a heater or had it set to a different temp and was simply dumped in the main tank