Trio123

Shadow, my african knife has a spot on his left gill (kinda where his cheek would be he if had cheeks). I cant take a picture left alone get a look at it in the light (he pretty much only comes out at night). It is larger than what I would call ICH but I am not sure. My angel has had two spots on her that have appeared and disappeared in a day or two (right now she is clear). What should I do? Treat for ich, parasites, or do nothing... he is also showing the tell tale behavior of rubbing his head against a log (he's done this behavior for months but I never noticed anything till now, and because of it I was looking). I have a bamboo shrimp too... of course the knife is sensitive to medications too. I dont know what to do

Everyone else is healthy. Parameters are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 10-20 nitrate. I do a 10 gallon water change on Thursday and 5 gallon on Monday every week. It's a 65 gallon tank.

COBettaCouple

That does sound like parasites. Does the spot look hairy or fuzzy, on your knife?

susitna-flower

It wouldn't hurt to raise the temperature up to 83 and hold it there for two weeks. With no other medications that would take care of it if your tank does have ick. Remember to do 25% water changes every other day during this treatment.

Trio123

Ok this is strange. I cant see it when the lights are on. But I can when only the moon light is on. It may just be because he is so dark colored that I cant see it. But I will raise the temperture just incase it is Ick.

Anyone know if Ick usually shows up as just one spot or does it usually find an immune deficient host and lay a full on attack? If it is normal for just a spot to appear then it is probably Ick.

COBettaCouple

I think ick can be ruled out, it wouldn't be like that. Fungus is most likely, but parasites is still a possibility. You might be able to treat with Rid-Fungus safely and see how that affects it.

Trio123

I cant see it anymore... it must have fell off like the ones on the angel did... I've been researching and I have some cool ideas for how to test my water/substrate for parasites or other diseases. Breaking out the microscope!!! I hate to just treat the tank for diseases that arent present, might be worse then just leaving it alone. Thank you for the advise guys!