TashaP

Alright, after scouring the internet for at least a week, I am totally baffled as to what has invaded my aquarium.
I have a 10 gallon, with one molly, one platy, and two swords. Plastic plants and decor. After cycling, I added the fish about a week and a half ago. They appeared healthy, but apparantly not. One of the dangers of the pet store, I guess.
Anyways, the fish have been passing around what seems to be a greyish flat circle that appears on the top of their heads (it moves around a bit, but stays on their head). It looks a little bit fuzzy, not like anything I have ever seen. I have never seen two of them with it, but all four of them have passed it around and had it at some point during the last week and a half. They usually have it for a day or two. At first, I thought it was a fungus, and treated (two cycles) of API Fungus Cure. I'm at the end of the cycle, and it seems to have done nothing but pass it around.
Now I'm wondering if this may be a parasite, but I can't find anything that even remotely resembles this.

Checking the water throughout, it has remained stable:
pH 7.4, kH 70, gH 140, nitrites and ammonia 0. I upped the temp to 78.

Any ideas or suggestions would be hugely appreciated!

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore. I hope we can help with your livebearers.

It does sound like a parasite, which could be treated with parasite clear, but would you have a picture to post so we could make a more certain diagnosis? Do they show any other symptoms?

TashaP

I'm chasing him around the tank as we speak...(with the camera, of course!)
Hopefully I'll have some pictures in a minute.

TashaP

P1300089.JPGP1300090.JPG

Here are two photos...they aren't very clear, and the water is still VERY green from the fungus cure, but hopefully they're helpful.

COBettaCouple

Hmm.. Those livebearers hate to stay still, don't they? Honestly, I'm still not 100% sure that it's a parasite, but I would have thought fungus at first too.

Parasite Clear is a good med for parasites. Clout is more for external parasites like that, but harder to find locally. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113016

Is there ever a day that 1 of the fish doesn't have it? Or does it seem to always be on 1 of them? Is it ever on more than 1? Do they show any symptoms or appetite loss?

TashaP

One of them has always had it since it showed up about a week and a half ago-sometimes it grows and shrinks, but it's always there.
They seem to be eating quite happily, swimming around, very energetic (not spastic, though), and their fins are spread out nicely...
Not displaying any typical "sick fish" behaviours that I have seen...strangest thing.

COBettaCouple

Since they sound like they're doing well, I'd run carbon in the filter for a few hours to clear the fungus clear out and then do a partial water change. Let them have a day or 2 without meds, then try parasite clear. It doesn't sound like a serious infestation, so milder would be better on meds.

TashaP

Sounds like a really good plan-thanks so much! Sometimes it's a relief just to bounce ideas off of people who really know what they're talking about!!
Thanks so much for the help-you'll be seeing a lot more of me around here!!
I'll let you know how things go with the tank!

COBettaCouple

I'm glad I could help and hope that clears out without needing the parasite clear.