Scales Missing On Zebra Danio?

[slakey]

Hey just got back home from the pub, I look at my tank and find that Lucky my 1 1/2year old zebra danio has some scales missing from the top of her body, and the 2 males *i think* are chasing her.

1. Is it a fish illness?
2. Is it contagious?
3. What treatment should I use?

I done a 25% water change earlier and put in the suggested amount of AquaSafe, Filter Aid and Seachem Prime.

Thanks,

 

[Spooky76]

Are the patches of white like cotton wool with anything sticking out ?
If its just had a nick or little cut some melafix will work. If its more like a fungal infection, more protozin (The blue coloured on) from waterlife might do the trick.

 

[slakey]

my mum and dad both think it's White-Spot.

Also on my baby pleco, he has a lighter part on his body, which also looks like he's losing his scales. But I'm not sure

Wish I could give you lot a clearer picture, so you can see if it's white-spot or scale loss.

Also if I put in a White-Spot treatment it won't harm the fish if they don't have white-spot right?
Same question but with the vita-chem or fish protector.

Mum said fish get white spot from changes in water temperature? Is this true?
Because I did a 25% water change and the water may have been hotter then what I intended it to be... So that could be my answer.

Thanks,
slakey

 

[WILDER]

Missing scales can be they have scraped them off on ornaments in the tank.
Also parasites, can you see anything under the scales of the fish.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Whitespot looks like the fish has been sprinkled in salt.

 

[slakey]

erm mostly all my fish occasionaly flick/rub themselves on the substrate. in my big tank and little tank.

 

[WILDER]

Can you post water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.

 

[slakey]

the last one I done was on December 29: *Will check on Saturday whats it's like*

pH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0.25 - 0.50
Nitrite: 2.0 - 5.0
Nitrate: 40 - 80

Also I bought these today:
NitrateMinus
Stress Zyme
Anti-Fungus & Finrot
A hydor ario 3

 

[WILDER]

Bad water quality that why they are flicking and rubbing.
How long has the tank been set up.
Water change, and increase aeration in the tank.

 

[slakey]

the big tank about 7-8 weeks.
the smaller erm about 1-4 months?

and the quality should be starting to lower now plus the air pump is on all day, but goes off when feeding time then it goes back on until i turn off the lights for bed.

Also I asked a man at the LFS what the matter with my danio was and he thinks it's just some scales missing. aslong as it's not slimey or wool looking she should be fine.

 

[WILDER]

Water changes and increase aeration.
Good luck.

 

[slakey]

she's doing fine.

there's still the white patch though, but she's eating and swimming fine and doesn't hide as much now that the air pump is in

All the zebra danios love swimming in the bubbles. Makes them look like mini salmon :L

 

[WILDER]

I know its nice watching then play in the bubbles.

 

[slakey]

hmm I think one of my female guppies is having the same problem as the female zebra in my big tank.

*female guppy in the smaller tank*
on her left side a part of her brown/black scales, have gone a cloudy white? but you can only notice it when she's facing away from the light really.

Is this the same problem? Could my high water stats be taking off their scales?

 

[WILDER]

Yes bad water quality can burn there skin and they will produce more slime coat to protect themselves.
Can we take a look at your latest water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

 

[slakey]

I'll do one now

EDIT:
Ammonia: 0ppm

Nitrite: 0ppm

Nitrate: either 20ppm-40ppm or 40ppm-80ppm

Picture: