White Spots (not Ich) On Featherfins

[muppet99]

I have 3 featherfins in that tank and one (possibly 2 - not been able to inspect the 3rd one yet) has strange white coloured spots on its underside at the base of its fins. The spots look as if the fins are rubbing against the body of the fish and rubbing those spot raw.

The fish are acting completly normal (swimming upside down more often than the correct way up and attempting to hide behind leaves!!! - they have always done this BTW) and are not showing any signs of illness or pain.

None of the other fish appear affected although I am having a bit of a problem with algae bloom at the moment (UV Steriliser on it's way once I have returned the wrong model that was been delivered in error!)

I would be most grateful for any suggestions.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

How large are these spots roughly? It sounds like it could be columnaris. Do the spots appear fluffy at all, or more like an ulcer with white edging to it?

 

[muppet99]

The spots don't appear fluffy at all. They just look like the skin has been rubbed raw.

Spots are between 2mm and 4mm in diameter and do not appear anywhere else on the fish other than at the base of the fins.

Struggling to get a decent photo of the spots at the moment, but if I do manage to get a good shot I will upload it so that you can see the spots.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

The spots don't appear fluffy at all. They just look like the skin has been rubbed raw.

Spots are between 2mm and 4mm in diameter and do not appear anywhere else on the fish other than at the base of the fins.

Struggling to get a decent photo of the spots at the moment, but if I do manage to get a good shot I will upload it so that you can see the spots.

It sounds like an external bacterial infection if the spots are raw and sore looking (like an ulcer or un-healing wound), i would advise using a med like "anti internal bacteria" by Interpet to treat the fish with .

 

[Jabba]

A good clear image will help, this could be a cepode or even skin fluke, maybe sporozoa and don't disregard hexamita it doesn't only affect Discus or the head. It is hard to say without an image - are the spots raised / flat or sunken?

I'm not sure of the location being relevant, there are few 'white spot' problems in my books that are restricted to these areas, especially if the spots aren't cotton like or fluffy.

Upside down could be bacterial or hypoxia but most likely bacterial ... it isn't normal no matter how long they have done it.

 

[muppet99]

I am still awaiting a chance to get a good photo. I have been working away from home since last posting and the only pics that I have are not very clear. Typically, when I need to get a photo they decide to stay at the back where there is no way I can get a shot of them!

I'll see if I can get them to come out for some food (well, more a case of see if they will stay out once they have finshed eating as there is no question about them coming out for food!!!)