Heidi125

Hello everyone,
Here are a few silly questions.
Is flashing a sign of parasites? I have a few fish in my 60g that are doing that, one platy is laying at the bottom of the tank.
And if so, can I treat the whole tank with "Parasite Clear"? With live plants, oto cats, loaches and a pleco?

The tank is so heavily planted that I would never be able to catch the fish to put them into another tank.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Shawnie

what are your water parimeters? ..and what do you mean flashing?

Butterfly

ammonia as well as high Nitrates will cause your fish to flash.
What are your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate water test readings.
Carol

Heidi125

0 ammonia, 0 nitrites 20 nitrates
flashing I mean scraping against objects in the tank

Devon

I've seen this term "flashing" a couple times before and I admit... I don't know, either... what is flashing?

Edit: Never mind, Heidi was faster. Thanks!

Heidi125

I will check the water again, but I just did a water change yesterday

Shawnie

what test kit are you using?

Butterfly

Nitrates at 20 after a water change is a little high. Doing another 25% or larger water change should make them stop. The Nitrates could be irriating their gills.
Devon-When fish rub against decor and the substrate like they itch it's called flashing.
Let us know how things go.
Carol

Heidi125

I only use API master kit to test the water

Ok, sorry the Nitrates are 10

Shawnie

very weird cause I was so guessing you would have some ammonia readings...any signs of ICH or velvet? poor thing I hope with the water changes, he/she improves!

edit: try turning up the temp to 79 gradually and see if they arent more comfy ...76 is a bit low

Heidi125

With a better look at this fish, his gills seem to be swollen and are pumping fast.
I tried to catch him, but like I said, the tank is heavily planted and next to impossible to catch a fish.

Shawnie

that really sounds like ammonia...could the kit be old or not shook up enough ? either way, id do daily water changes of at least 40-50 % and treat the water with prime and then maybe get them some vita chem, fish protetor, and some garlic guard or fresh garlic juice from a jar....

COBettaCouple

Flashing can be a sign of ich, velvet or parasites. Raising the temp to 83 for 2 weeks and treating with parasite clear would be a starting recommendation. Daily water changes of 25% and treating all water with Prime too and would help with potential ammonia problems. Try to make the replacement water near the tank water temp. Clean the substrate at least once a week and if you have garlic guard, fish protector or vita-chem, those could help.

Heidi125

So, treating the tank with live plants, oto cats, loaches and a pleco is ok?

Fishies-for-me

Flashing can also be a sign of body /gill flukes....are there any fry in the tank?? What do they look like? are they normal looking or are they pintailed? ( Tails come to a point instead of a fan ) Do the fish shimmy? Are they clamping their fins or flicking them open and closed??

Heidi125

Would API Stress coat be good? or is that another product that is better, I have everything else.

COBettaCouple

They should be ok with everything except the parasite clear for sure. The parasite clear is one that i'm not sure on for scaleless fish though.

Stress coat is alright. It's a conditioner like Fish Protector, just weaker.

Heidi125

Thank you for all the help, once again.
I think parasite clear is ok for plecos. I found this site (many on you might already know about it)
http://www.plecofanatics.com/forum/