What's This On My Fish? (w/pic)

[kj23502]

Hi. 2 of my african cichlids have white fuzzy patch on them. It started out looking like someone had taken a bite out of them and now the spot(about the size of a pencil eraser or a little smaller) has white fuzz on it and it's bulgeing out of the fish a little bit. My water quality hasn't been the best. I had a little ammonia and still some nitrite. ( I don't ever remember it being over 1 or 2 parts per million). Currently I have no ammonia and am staying between .25 and 1 nitrite....What do you guys/gals think this could be? ?

Sorry the pics are so fuzzy. It was really hard to take a pic of this lil guy. He kept hiding and then swimming around.

 

[Colin_T]

I can't tell from the pics but the description of white fuzz that sticks out a bit sounds like fungus. Fungus gets into damaged areas, where a fish gets bitten or scratched.
A broad spectrum fish medication should get rid of it and prevent bacterial infections from setting in. Remove any carbon from the filter before treating the tank.
If possible treat the fish in a separate quarantine tank to prevent the medication affecting the filter bacteria.
You can also try adding rock or swimming pool salt to the tank. That can sometimes clear it up without the use of medication.

To work out the volume of water in the tank
measure the 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. If you have large rocks or driftwood in the tank remove them before measuring the height.

 

[kj23502]

Thanks, sorry the pics are soo bad! He was really hard to photograph! Would aquarium salt work? I already have some of that, but haven't put any in yet.
I suppose it's still good that he's acting normal! Still eats and interacts with the other fish. Doesn't hide for long...only if we come up fast and scare him. Then he comes right back out.
KJ

 

[Colin_T]

yeah aquarium salt is usually rock salt so should be fine. You can use it at 1 heaped tablespoon per 20 litres of tank water. If it hasn't cleared up in a few days then add another tablespoon per 20litres. If it still doesn't work then get some medication from the LFS.

 

[kj23502]

Thank you so much! I will try that!

 

[bluetrane2028]

Wouldn't an antibiotic be more proper in this case?

 

[Fishlurver]

i agree i think an antibiotic would work much better
but thats just me

 

[WILDER]

For columnaris in the united states maracyn one and two.

 

[kj23502]

A big problem is that it's the tiniest fish in the 125 gallon tank! I don't think I'll be able to catch him, esp around all of my slate! I don't want to take my slate out b/c it'll take forever to set up again. They are small pieces and I have to make sure they won't fall over. It would be putting up a piece or two and testing it and maybe moving it to another pile...Plus I don't want something that will damage what little bacteria I have!!!

 

[Colin_T]

Wouldn't an antibiotic be more proper in this case?

If it is fungus then antibiotics won't make any difference. Antibiotics only work on bacteria. Fungus needs to be treated with a fungal remedy. A broad spectrum medication is the best choice to cover both types of problem but if they can cure the problem with salt then it is better for everyone. The salt won't affect the filter bacteria and hopefully will clear up the problem. If the salt doesn't work, then a braod spectrum medication can be used.

 

[kj23502]

I put some salt in yesterday. He already looks better today. There's not as much fuzz now! Hopefully he can make a full recovery! I'm tired of doing water changes everyday....but I do love my fish! Anyone have any idea how long it may take to get the tank fully cycled

It's 125 gallon with 2 eheim pro II 2028's. and a sponge filter rated for 30 gallon. One eheim and the sponge filter were put on the 29 gallon for a little bit to start bacterial colonization, then transferred with the fish over to the big tank. I don't have any ammonia readings and nitrite gets up to 1ppm in a days time. I change at least 1/2 the water and it comes down to around .25ppm.

 

[Colin_T]

it generally takes about 4 weeks for a tank to cycle.
If you don't want to do as many water changes reduce the feeding. The less food going into the tank, the less ammonia produced and the lower the nitrite levels will be.

 

[kj23502]

He looks even better now!!! Thank you everyone for all your replies!!

 

[snoopyfrench87]

one of my guppys has been showing a similar fluffy stuff and i have been treating with salt which appears to be curing it - but my guppies are all flashing against things - they dont have any white spots, and one molly wants to spend all her time near the bottom.

whats happening?!?!

 

[kj23502]

They're going to ask for water stats! Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, PH. If you don't have a freshwater master test kit, go get one. The liquid kind. I guess the dip strips can be really inaccurate.