spot on right fin of gold gourami

[Briarmoor]

I noticed a small, irregular shaped white patch on the right fin of the gold gourami. I looked through my books and possibly this is fungus? It is not yellow colored, hopefully not the dreaded Velvet! It is a very small patch, so should I just continue to watch it? The neons, corys, and otto are all fine and the gourami is eating like a pig (to the extent I let her).

I have done frequent water changes as the tank cycled and my levels are good. I posted them in the Beginner section yesterday and folks thought I was about done cycling.

The neons really stressed with the Ich treatment and I want to avoid treating the tank again unless folks think it is necessary. I am reading about salt baths and want to know who has tried these and were they successful?

I treat my cattledogs naturally (and feed them a raw diet) so I tend toward homeopathics when possible. I don't know how popular this is in fish, but I am trying to learn more.

I just did up my signature line, so I'll see if it works with this post. Thanks in advance for comments and advice!

Pam

 

[plecokid]

it could be a case of bacteria that bugging your gourami try some bacteria control, i've only just started with gouramis but my silver tip tetra
had something like that once and it dissapeared (the white stuff) when
i used bacteria control

 

[sylvia]

Can you describe the patch a little more? What shape is it, is it fuzzy, how long has it been there, etc?

It could be a bacterial infection or it may be a fungus infection. Either way, these gouramies are hardy so, as long as you treat it soon and the other fish don't contract it, things should be fine.

Can you isolate her first off (to avoid having it spread)? Then, if possible, a picture may help.
Look at this link: http/www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html
It may help identify the problem.

Salt baths are useful, yes, and can be used to treat all sorts of problems. I'll get you a relevant link in a moment

edit: Here: http/www.fishdoc.co.uk/treatments/salt.htm

 

[Briarmoor]

Can you describe the patch a little more? What shape is it, is it fuzzy, how long has it been there, etc?

It could be a bacterial infection or it may be a fungus infection. Either way, these gouramies are hardy so, as long as you treat it soon and the other fish don't contract it, things should be fine.

Can you isolate her first off (to avoid having it spread)? Then, if possible, a picture may help.
Look at this link: http/www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html
It may help identify the problem.

Okay, it most closely resembles the false mouth fungus or the body fungus shown in the picks, but it is not raised like either of those. It is just a spot the size of an irregular 1/8th of the tip of a human pinkie finger nail and not cottony, but white in color. Any chance it is an injury? There are no bigger fish in there with her, just the corys and neons. Gourami fins are so fine anyway. I hate to treat if it is not contagious, but I don't want to let it go if it is something to worry about. Maybe I can try to take a pic. I still don't know how to post them.

She is eating good and not acting different. Except she is very possessive over the shrimp pellets I put in for the corys and will actually chase them away from them. She is eating all the food unless I work at making sure everyone gets something. Pig fish. I wish I had a cycled tank for that reason alone to get her out from the smaller fish so they can eat in peace.

I will read up on the salt bath. It won't hurt her will it, even if there is not an infection/fungus? Except maybe some stress?

Pam

 

[sylvia]

The salt bath won't harm her but make sue you watch her closely and take her out of the salt at the first sign of real stress.

A picture would be helpful - you can either upload them onto a host like www.boomspeed.com (very easy to sign up) and then post the link or, I think there's an option to upload pics if you try posting a new thread in the member's aquarium pics forum. Someone else would be better able to help here.

BTW, is there any chance it's just ich? I think you mentioned you were treating for it (or was that another post ) so it may well be just that and you should continue treating. The chances of it being an injury are slim but it is possible none the less. Still, a picture would help. I personaly think it more likely to be fungus.

 

[Briarmoor]

I am happy to report that the white place on the gold gourami's fin has gone away!

 

[sylvia]

That's great news!