white spots on my black Moore?

Question

My blackmoore has not been him self. I went to a fish store got a water test kit. looked at the water did a 50% water change yesterday.. he seems to be back to him self. but I notice that now he has white spots on his sides. just one on each side. when he would sit a the bottom of the tank the other fish would nudge him. could the spots befrom that? or is he sick? please help save my fish. (I have a 10gallon tank and a few other fish in there *goldfish, sucker fish, koi (only 1 in) algee eater and a pair of guppies)

Answer 1

It seems like your black moor has Ich. SYMPTOMS of ICH: white specks like grains of salt all over most of the fish check if temperature of water has change suddenly, check water parameters.

TREATMENT: Quick Cure for 3 days

SOLUTION: make sure the temperature of the water when doing water changes is constant, improve water conditions, feed antibiotic food and use a tank heater to prevent temperature drops when air conditioners are used, or when tank temperatures fluctuate more than 2-3 degrees per day.

The ich of freshwater fish does not lay eggs, it has a complex life cycle. What we see as "grains of salt" is the feeding stage in a nodule under the skin. This stage is resistant to medications. When it has fed enough, it breaks out, falls off and they break out and reproduce like crazy, each one making over 1000 infectious progeny. The whole cycle is very temperature dependent.

77oF -- 3-6 days
50oF -- a month or more

In heavy infestations, the individual "salt grains" may form into mucoid (thick slimy) masses on the skin. Fish with these generally don't survive even if treated. The feeding stage itself causes erosion and wounds which can quickly be infected by bacteria, etc. When a fish recovers from infection, they acquire some immunity to another infestation.

TREATMENT:
Formalin: 0.09ml per gallon. 3 treatments on alternate days. At 24-26oC, the ich cycle is done in 7 days.

Formalin and malachite green (AKA Quick Cure) every other day for 3 treatments with 50% water changes on the off day
I use a 3.0% salt dip and QC for 3 days in a row with 30% water changes every day and it has been effective, but I did get the temp up to 72-74oF.

Answer 2

It's possible that what you're seeing is the beginning of an ich infection. Depending on the size of the spots, this could also be velvet, but the treatments for both are the same. There are a number of different methods of treatment for these, and I'll include some links later for your info.

The main treatments will include salt, heat, malachite green, and formalin, either separately, or in combination. The parasite has several life stages, and one of these (the one seen on the fish) is not affected by medications. Only the stages found off the fish are going to be killed, so DON'T stop treating just because you no longer see spots on the fish - a full treatment needs to last 10-14 days.

Because there are life stages of the parasite in the tank water, you'll need to treat your ENTIRE tank - which can be a problem for you because your suckerfish (probably a pleco?) will be more sensitive to the treatments. If you have a separate tank you can put him in, it would be better to treeat him apart from the others using only a half-dose of salt or medication. If this isn't possible, gradually build to the correct dosage, rather than adding it all at once.

Which ever of the treatments you choose, raise the temperature in the tank to around 86o (slowly over a few hours time). This will speed up the lifecycle of the parasite, so treatment will take effect faster. Because the higher temperature reduces the oxygen content of the water, make sure your filter is flowing at the maximum rate for aeration.

Of the treatments, salt is probably the least stressful for your fish. Malachite green and formalin are both known carcinogens, so these should be used with care. Quick Cure, mentioned above, contains both these ingredients. If using a method other than salt, you'll need to remove any carbon from your filter - it will adsorb any medications.

The websites below will give more info about the parasite and specific recommendations for treatment:

Answer 3

Your fish has a bacterial/fungal infection. It's called Columnaris. It's often mistaken as Ich, which resembles grains of salt on fins and tail. However, Columnaris has the white fluffy/cottony growths. Fortunately, the infection can be CURED with a medicine called Maracyn or Maracyn Plus (made by mardel) -- it's a little more expensive than the over the counter brand, but more effective. Take out the carbon filter and change the water when they say to. ***Medication works whether it's bacterial or fungal in nature, so don't fret and hold on to hope -- Mr. Moor will be just fine. ;o) Hope This Helps!

Answer 4

That's exactly what it's called Whitespot, Ich or Ick. It is easily treated you can buy Whitespot treatment. You better do it quickthough. By the way don't do fifty percent water changes. A ten percent water change weekly is better than a fifty percent change once a month. I'm not criticising I'm just saving the lives of your fish from shock. Hope this helps!
Beenz.

Answer 5

White saltgrain like spots are ich. You'll need an ich med from a fish to trear. Larger spots are most likely some sort of fungus.

Answer 6

white spots generally is a sign of a fish disease called ich or ick. it is pretty common and the cure can be found at nearly any fish store or pet store that has fish. he'll be fine, just get the meds quick

Answer 7

sounds like ich. turn the heater up to about 80 and add 1 tsp aquarium salt for every 10 gallons of water. change 20% water every day. repeat for 5-7 days

Answer 8

In addition to it looking like ich, he's also terribly crowded. Goldfish need 10-15 gallons *each*. All those other fish are crowding him.

Answer 9

if only one fish is infected quarintine him and used specail medication for the disease called Ich. If all fish are sick leave them in the same aquarium and use the same medicine. I recommend Quick Cure. they should sell it at your local pet store.

Answer 10

he is probably sick take him to the vet and get him medicine quick.