Help me figure out what's wrong with my fish?

Question

I have four fish in my tank. A blue gourami, two cichlids, and a black phantom tetra. The two cichlids developed an orange/rust color around their mouth last night, and now their body also has this color. I noticed some orange/rust color on the fins of my other fish also. They are all still eating well and swimming around fine. I have no idea what is wrong and can't find any disease that makes your fish turn orange. Does anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

That your Gourami and Tetra are not changing colors leads me to believe these cichilds are just approaching adulthood. Fish can change colors for many reasons, many times it's because of stress. But with Cichilds, especially in the males, thier colors come out as they reach sexual maturity. What kind of cichilds do you have? I don't think it's a disease, and if they aren't showing any signs of distress, then for now, just keep an eye on them.

JV

Thanks Magic!!

Answer 2

That is a classic sign of the disease called velvet. Any pet store will carry medications that will clear up the problem. Personally, I like Maracide or coppersafe for killing velvet.

Also, in adition to treating as directed on the package of medication, I suggest you keep the lights off on your tank and in fact cover the tank to pervent light from entering during the treatment. Velvet is able to use light as energy much like plants do and cutting out this energy source will help kill it all the faster.

Best of luck with it!

MM

Answer 3

Sounds like velvet. Salt at 3% (1 tablespoon per gallon) and raise temp to 84 for 2 weeks will cure velvet, IF water conditions are ideal (correct ph, ammonia and nitrite = zero, and less than 20ppm nitrate)
Velvet can rear its ugly head when water is less than ideal. Improve tank maintenence from here on out.

Answer 4

maybe ur fish r transformers