slakey

Hey just got back home from the pub, I look at my tank and find that Lucky my 1 1/2year old zebra danio has some scales missing from the top of her body, and the 2 males *i think* are chasing her.







1. Is it a fish illness?
2. Is it contagious?
3. What treatment should I use?

I done a 25% water change earlier and put in the suggested amount of AquaSafe, Filter Aid and Seachem Prime.

Thanks,

COBettaCouple

They'll sometimes lose scales for one reason or another. I'd watch for any changes in her and if you want to add some vitamins or suppliments like vita-chem or fish protector, they'd help her heal faster.

slakey

my mum and dad both think it's White-Spot.

Also on my baby pleco, he has a lighter part on his body, which also looks like he's losing his scales. But I'm not sure

Wish I could give you lot a clearer picture, so you can see if it's white-spot or scale loss.

Also if I put in a White-Spot treatment it won't harm the fish if they don't have white-spot right?
Same question but with the vita-chem or fish protector.

Mum said fish get white spot from changes in water temperature? Is this true?
Because I did a 25% water change and the water may have been hotter then what I intended it to be... So that could be my answer.

Thanks,
slakey

jsalemi

No, that's not white spot (aka Ich) -- white spot is a bunch of tiny little white spots on the fish, almost like they've been sprinkled with salt. And yes, a sudden change in water temperature is one of things that can cause an Ich outbreak.

COBettaCouple

You'll want to raise the temp to 82-83F for 2 weeks and do frequent water changes if you've got an ich outbreak. Try to replace the old tank water with fresh treated tap water of about the same temp.

slakey

so it's not white-spot then.

so missing scales I'm guessing... Could she possibly be dying?

What sort of treatments should I buy?

COBettaCouple

Liquid vitamins and/or slime coat enhancer will help with regrowing lost fins. It's not unusual for fish to lose scales at times.

0morrokh

From the pic it looks more like white patches, which would indicate a fungal or bacterial infection, or they could be ulcers that have fungused. Are the spots raised or fuzzy? Or do they look like a slimy/cloudy patch? Or are they indented?

slakey

the patch just looks smooth and there's no indents etc...

ask the man at the LFS and he said it sounds like some scales have come off, from a rock or something in the tank and if it doesn't looks wooly or slimey she should be fine.

0morrokh

Ok, then just keep the tank nice and clean and they should grow back no prob. Vitamins and dechlors that say they help the slime coat might be helpful.

slakey

she's doing fine.

there's still the white patch though, but she's eating and swimming fine and doesn't hide as much now that the air pump is in

All the zebra danios love swimming in the bubbles. Makes them look like mini salmon :L

slakey

right well I just got home from the reptile shop and might've found the white spot cause, and also the death of lucky

I have a plant pot in my tank and well she's tried to go through it. I got her out and she had cut herself and also broken her back from stuggling to free herself, problem is I had no quick killing solution
So she had to end up down the toilet dads idea :/

So R.I.P Lucky
I've put the plant pot back in but put it right up against the wall for where the hole is that Lucky tried to get through.

COBettaCouple

I'm sorry that you lost her, but you should let your dad know that flushing a fish is not quick or painless to the fish.

slakey

yeah if I had some clove oil or icecubes I would've done it that way.

MelyBu

I have a plant pot in my tank, but I broke the other end out. I know my Oranda's chunky bottom won't fit, heh. I smoothed the edges too. Sorry to hear about your fish.