Ugh...what now?

Oblivion · December 20th, 2007

I looked at my BN Pleco and I saw him like multicolored. It looks wierd. What is this? It's like white patches all over his body. When he moves around the aquarium real fast, he brightens up like a dark yellow and this patches become more noticeable. What is this stuff now? =(

Oblivion · December 20th, 2007

Maybe it's just me? Some pics it shows up, some it doesn't. Like I said, when he "runs" to the other side of the tank he like colors up a wierd yellow and brown and you see ...maybe it's just his colors like how my Gourami colored up?

Oblivion · December 20th, 2007

And then I noticed that the base of my Pearl Gourami's fin are red. And she didn't eat. What hath God wrought this time?

Oblivion · December 20th, 2007

Anyone got any ideas?

Dino · December 20th, 2007

This is normal behavior.
They change color in relation to mood, temperature, being territorial, ect..

Oblivion · December 20th, 2007

Ok, that's good. I didn't know if there was something wrong with the scales or something...what 'bout the Gourami?

0morrokh · December 20th, 2007

Red fins (if they aren't supposed to be red) isn't a good thing...especially when combined with not eating. What are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

COBettaCouple · December 20th, 2007

Do you have a pic of the gourami to post?

Oblivion · December 22nd, 2007

The part where the fins connect are red. I just noticed that. Maybe they were supposed to be like that? And I haven't check the stuff yet, but I'll keep ya up on that. Same with the pics, I'll try to get some

Oblivion · December 22nd, 2007

Here are some more pics on the BN Pleco. Are you sure it's not something wrong? 'Cause it looks like the scales are disappearing or something. Looks kinda gross. Note the orange sparkles again. Man, I'm a horrible fish keeper getting them all sick...=(. I'm trying my best to keep everything stable but it keeps going bazonkers. =(

Oblivion · December 22nd, 2007

pH - always steady 7.6
Temperature - Steady 76
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 2 (Spike? It wasn't like this a couple of days ago. I did an emergency dose with Prime, read the instructions, so hopefully it will lower that.)
Nitrate - Between 0-5. Not exactly Yellow but not exactly Orange. Kind of a Orange-Yellow/Dark dark yellow.

Oblivion · December 23rd, 2007

My Pearl Gourami died

Now I'm afraid my BN Pleco is going bad. On the top of his body is kinda red and it looks like his scales are gone. Or peeling. Or something. I'm such a horrible fish keeper...

0morrokh · December 23rd, 2007

Does your catfish sound like any of these diseases? http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_dis...disorders.html

Oblivion · December 23rd, 2007

Kind of sounds like this
"The skin clouds up in some areas, then comes off, leaving bloody patches"
It looks like you can see his skin instead of the scales and the top of his body is kinda red.
It looks like there's no scales here and there on his body. You can look at my pics and maybe determine it?

COBettaCouple · December 23rd, 2007

If it's Costia, then you need to raise the temp and treat with parasite meds. I think Parasite Clear tabs would be ok with a Pleco, but I'm not sure and would wait to see what others say on that.

Oblivion · December 23rd, 2007

Look at my pics if you need to identify itf it's Costia

Oblivion · December 23rd, 2007

More pics to help identify. I raised the temperature.

Oblivion · December 23rd, 2007

WOW! I just read that this is the diagnostic for Velvet

"Velvet is described as a yellow-gray coating which develops on the fins and skin, resembling gold dust. The fish will also try to relieve irritation by rubbing. The skin may also peal away in strips. The fish may display labored breathing and become lethargic. "

It looks like gold-dust on my BN Pleco? Could he have Velvet?!!? And that's causing all this stuff?

Oblivion · December 23rd, 2007

"Perhaps the most telltale symptom is the appearance of a velvety film on the skin that resembles gold or rust colored dust. The film may be difficult to see, but can be more easily detected by directing a beam of a flashlight on the fish in a darkened room. The parasite is most often seen on the fins and gills."

I could only see the orange stuff when I shined the flashlight.

rileyrk190 · December 23rd, 2007

My white skirt fish appear to have cloudy specs on them, and i don't believe its ICH because i've had fish with ich before. I have been treating them with Malachite green for two days now, and it doesn't appear to be improving at all. I'm really puzzled as to what to do. I have left the filter cartridges in, but removed the carbon, raised the temperature in the tank and added slightly more aquarium salt than i would normally. I usually treat with aquarisol, but I left it in my dorm room, and my LFS is closed for the holiday. i'm totally at a loss here, does anyone have any ideas?

** Also for the original poster, don't treat your sick pleco with malachite green. Unfortunately I learned the hard way that it poisons them, and i feel terrible.**

jsalemi · December 23rd, 2007

Yes, scaleless fish like catfish are very sensitive to malachite green (and i think malachite blue); you should use alternative medications if you have them.

Oblivion · December 23rd, 2007

So, is it Velvet what my pleco has?

COBettaCouple · December 23rd, 2007

Looking at those latest pics, velvet definitely looks probable.. those yellowish spots would indicate velvet, along with his symptoms. The treatment would be the same - anti-parasite meds.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113016 - the parasite clear looks like it would be safe for Plecos, but I'd like to confirm that with a Pleco owner.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113016
- this might be the best option if your pleco will eat it. I've found it at Petsmart.

Oblivion · December 24th, 2007

I bought Parasite Clear and used it. I read on some other brand that did the same thing that it said it was not good for scaleless fish. I double-checked on the Parasite Clear, and they did not have the same ingredients as the other one. So it should be good...

COBettaCouple · December 25th, 2007

yea, it looks alright for him. Best of luck and I hope to hear it's clearing up real soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oblivion

I bought Parasite Clear and used it. I read on some other brand that did the same thing that it said it was not good for scaleless fish. I double-checked on the Parasite Clear, and they did not have the same ingredients as the other one. So it should be good...