Velvet?

[DiscusKeeper403]

I think one of my Discus may still be sick. He has these almost like fine bubbles all over him. They are very small and there are lots of them. Smaller then Ich size. I am not sure what color they are but look almost clearl. He eats but doesn't have a huge apetite. Could it be velvet? Thats the only thing I could think of. I have heard of a gas bubble disease (or something like that.) Is this a possibility? I just cleared my fish from disease but it seems like there is always something secondary with these fish.


Tank size: 50
Inhabitants: 5 Discus, 1 Honey Gourami, 1 Ram
Water stats: Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate (not tested but probably zero)
Temp: 30
W/C: Every other day lately. Start doing daily once school starts.

 

[Colin_T]

If the fish looks like it is a bit grey or covered in a grey film, then the bubbles could be air bubbles from the filter and they are sticking to the mucous on the fish. However, if the fish is normal coloured then it could be velvet or Oodinium, same thing.

Velvet should only appear after you introduce some new fish. If you haven't added any new fish in the last month it is unlikely to be this.
Gas bubble disease has to do with the swim bladder or an excess of nitrogen in the fish's bloodstream. Both are uncommon and have different symptoms.

Watch the fish and see if any of the bubbles move or come off. If they do it is simply air bubbles on the fish. Look for fine air bubbles getting into the water, most likely from a power filter that is sucking in air.
If the fine bubbles stay put and are on the fins and body, then perhaps treat the tank with a copper based medication or something that treats velvet.

To work out the volume of water in the tank
measure Length x Width x Height in cm
divide by 1000
equals volume in litres

When measuring the height, measure from the top of the gravel to the top of the water level. If you have big rocks or driftwood in the tank, remove them before measuring the height.

Before you treat the tank do a 50% water change and complete gravel clean, and clean the filter. This will reduce the gunk in the tank and allow the medication to work more effectively. It will also lower the pathogen count in the water and mean there are less nasties around to infect the fish.

Remove carbon from the filter before treating otherwise it will absorb the medication out of the water.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

It's actually white I guess. It almost looks like Ich, but much smaller.

 

[Colin_T]

sounds like Oodinium/ velvet. Maybe zip down to the fish shop for some drugs

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

I've got some Nox Ich ill add to the tank. Only the one of the fish has it, so it could just be bubbles. The fish has normal color though.