mlinden84

One of my new Harlequin Rasboras has a spot on his/her side. It looks more like a missing scale to me, but i'm not sure. It's a small silvery white spot where the black triangle marking is. I tried for about a half hour to get a picture... but it was impossible to get a clear one of that certain fish going the right way... they were all blurry or you couldn't see the spot. Are there any pictures of fish with missing scales so I can compare? Should I be worried?

Shawnie

get a picture...im sure it will be better to see and give correct help

mlinden84

i'm still trying!

susitna-flower

If you are worried, turn up the heat! Ick looks just like grains of salt. There could be one, or more...OR they can be located in the gills, and you might not see them at all...

But in the mean time, turn up heat gently to 82+, and hold it above 82 for 2 weeks, and if it is ick that kills it. Most fish can stand that temperature, just do 25% water changes every other day to make sure the oxygen supply is sufficient.

This method doesn't disrupt your cycle, and can be done at any time....so you don't have to do medications.

mlinden84

I did turn up the heat. I was just a little worried about the neons as i've heard they are pretty sensitive (and since they were new i'm especially worried). Only the one rasbora has it. So hopefully it's just a missing scale and not ICH. And if it is ich, at least I caught it early! Thanks for the help!

COBettaCouple

If it's just 1 spot, I'd lean towards a missing scale. Usually when ich shows up, there's multiple white salt-crystal like spots.

mlinden84

That's kinda what I'm thinking. I had a breakout of ich when i first got fish, but haven't since so I don't really remember what it looked like exactly. I'm still searching the internet for a picture of a fish with a missing scale like this so I can see if that's what it is for sure.
Is there anything I need to do for the fish if it is indeed a missing scale?

COBettaCouple

I like to add Fish Protector and Vita-Chem to encourage the scale regrowth, but just keeping the water extra clean is really enough.