Glass fish??

Question

Ok, I got a glass fish last weekend. here's a pic. in case you don't know what it is because I didn't until I first saw him.

http://www.uaepets.com/catalog/images/Glass%20Fish.jpg

Let me tell you they are hard to catch in a net when changin' the water. Anyway, I have been noticing this beard/pimple looking thing on his chin. It's really small, but it wasn't there when I first got him. Is it something I should be worried about or am i being paranoid?

Ok Rob O. but I kinda need to know what i'm treating.

Answer 1

This sounds like lymphocystis, which is a viral disease common to glass fish (especially the painted variety). No medication will likely help with this virus, however this is rarely fatal in healthy fish.

Here is a pic (not a good one)
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/images/dyedfishtank.jpg

Your best coarse of action is regular water changes and making sure your water parameters are in check such as;
*Ammonia 0
*Nitrites )
*KH & GH 80 ppm

The only treatment other than keeping healthy tank conditions is Usnic Acid, and even that has not been fully established

For more information about usnic acid, see this aquarium answers site:
http://aquarium-answers.blogspot.com/
http://aquarium-answers.blogspot.com/2007/01/usnea-using-usnic-acid-as-fish-remedy.html

Answer 2

Is your by any chance a painted glass fish? Even if you don't think so look very closely for any traces of dye left anywhere in it's body. It's been recently discovered that some glass fish seem to be having reactions to the dye that cause just the type of spot you are referring to. It is not an instant reaction, sometimes not even showing up until all of the dye is absorbed. There is no cure, but it doesn't seem to harm the fish as best as anyone knows yet. More studies are being done now.

That may be the cause or it could be from any one of a number of other things, such as a nasty virus common to glass fish, also untreatable. Continue to watch the spot for changes and also to watch for any others that come up on the fish. If you see either, post another question with additional details.

MM

Answer 3

Why are you catching him to change the water?

You should be only changing 25% of the water tops at a time. You need to leave some of the good bacteria in the tank and it is a lot less stressful for the fish.

Bumps on the skin which appear to be originating from under the skin could be a couple of things. It could be from an internal parasite which has deposited itself in the skin of the fish and is causing the skin to bulge out or it could be tumors or cysts, whether congenital or from poor water conditions. There is one form of tumors which are actually tuberculosis which is contagious to humans, so you should avoid direct contact with the fish or put unprotected hands in the water, just in case this could be the problem. If it is the tumors/cysts, there is nothing you can do but to wait out the outcome. The fish may survive perfectly fine with the tumors/cysts, the tumors/cysts could kill it or the tumors/cysts could burst. If these are tumors/cysts and they burst, you will just need to treat the fish to prevent infection or disease from entering into the wound. A salt treatment is the least stressful. Add ½ tsp aquarium salt per 1 gallon of water. Pre-mix the salt in a little water you removed from the tank and then slowly pour the water back in the tank near a filter output so that you get a thorough mix of the salt in the water. If it is an internal parasite, the best thing to do would be to treat with mediated food such as Metro-Med. A parasite would be contagious, so even though your other fishes are not displaying any signs of sickness, you may wish to feed all of them the medicated food. It certainly can’t hurt to feed medicated food, so this would be a good preventative measure, even if the other fish isn’t sick and even if the sick one had a tumor instead of a parasite.

Answer 4

If it looks waxy, it's likely fish pox. That's a viral infection for which there is no real treatment but is really not harmful to the fish. A fish with fish pox could live a normal lifetime.

Answer 5

Don't worry it can be normal for the kind of the fish but if u found any thing on its eyes it is a sign for the fish is dying of fish

Answer 6

Ok its your choice now to be worried or be ok with it but either way you need to get medication. you dont nessasarily have to take him out of the tank but its a good idea. the thing about what he has is that it could be from to much alcaline or chlorine in the water or to dirty water. get Erythromicen tablets and put 1 for every 10 gallons