Cardinal Tetras - Transparent Bubbly Lumps. Need Help.

I've had my cardinal tetras for about 5 months now and at first only one had a big transparent lumps on the side of its face next to the gills I posted a picture of it but I couldn't get that much of a clear picture of it.It is to be noted that one of my tetra's lump has shrinked in size over time. I searched online but couldn't find a diagnoses that would match the symptoms. The tetras also have small lumps on their bodies but at first I didn't think much of it. In the span of 2-3 months I've noticed the same symptoms on 2 more of my tetras that being the big transparent bubbly lumps on the side of their faces that at first has a small white dot in the middle of it. I also have a betta living with my 10 tetras and I would want anything happening to it. I currently don't have a quarantine aquarium where I could keep the sick tetras.

I have 57L (15 gallon) aquarium which is cycled. I do weekly water changes of about 10-30% and I always condition my water. The parameters are all fine N02=0; N03=10-30; Amonia=0; I have a heater in the aquarium that's set to 22°C.

If anyone knows what this could be I would greatly appreciate your help. I fear this spreading thru out my cardinal tetras and even onto my betta fish.

 

Google dermosporidia.

BTW 22C is quite low for cardinals and a betta.

 

Google dermosporidia.

BTW 22C is quite low for cardinals and a betta.

Yes it is quite low. You want the tank temp to be at around 80f (25-26C) for your betta. Around the same for the tetras. You need to turn your tank temp up. Those poor fishies are freezing.

 

Yes it is quite low. You want the tank temp to be at around 80f (25-26C) for your betta. Around the same for the tetras. You need to turn your tank temp up. Those poor fishies are freezing.

Thank you so much for the advice! I'm gradually turning the heat up in the tank to 25C as to not shock them.I really didn't think the heat was a problem with them since they were quite active but I am turing it up. I've looked up dermosporidia and there doesn't seem to be a cure for it sadly. Dermosporidia tends to spread so i'm wondering if my betta will be effected as well. Should I separate him in the time being this passes?

 

I’ve never dealt with dermosporidia before. So I don’t have any good advice. It couldn’t hurt to quarantine your betta. It may prevent him from getting it. It is worth a try anyways.

KimberlyG do you have any advice?

 

Only seen it on cardinals, rummynoses and Black widows (last one not conpletely sure)

 

If it is dermosporidium/dermocystidium (plural dermosporidia/dermocystidia) it does not seem to cause any harm.

It looks like a white worm-like filament within a clear bubble on the fish.

Plenty of pics if you would like to google it to confirm.

I have had it on my Cardinal Tetras and after a year or so it was not present any more.

I understand that once the fish have had it they develop an immunity to future exposure.

It is alarming to see dermosporidium. However, it is not a worm.

Our lack of understanding of the classification of small lifeforms means that we are not sure what pigeonhole to put this organism in but it shares some characteristics with fungI and protozoa.

It might be unnecessary to quarantine the Betta especially if dermosporidium does not affect this species.

 

If it is dermosporidium/dermocystidium (plural dermosporidia/dermocystidia) it does not seem to cause any harm.

It looks like a white worm-like filament within a clear bubble on the fish.

Plenty of pics if you would like to google it to confirm.

I have had it on my Cardinal Tetras and after a year or so it was not present any more.

I understand that once the fish have had it they develop an immunity to future exposure.

It is alarming to see dermosporidium. However, it is not a worm.

Our lack of understanding of the classification of small lifeforms means that we are not sure what pigeonhole to put this organism in but it shares some characteristics with fungI and protozoa.

It might be unnecessary to quarantine the Betta especially if dermosporidium does not affect this species.

Thank you so much for your help!

I'm fairly new to the aquarium hobby so I was quite concerned for my fish. Dermosporidium fits perfectly so I'm glad its not something more serious even tho it looks scary.It only now accured to me that I had seen an odd wiggly hair like thing moving around when I last did a water change but I mistook it for a cat hair since I do have a fairly fluffy white cat (don't worry my aquarium is not filled with cat hair). I won't move the betta I'll just be closely observing the thank. My fish and I thank you for your generous help!

 

For those wondering why there are two names that this disease i.e. dermosporidium/dermocystidium.

There are two groups of organisms that this parasite could belong to but it is not known for sure to which it belongs. We await the research to find this out.

Scientific research into fish and fish related issues is mainly directed to where economic interests are at stake. For captive fish, this research is aimed largely at aquaculture for food rather than the ornamental trade.

We have been lucky enough to have scientific research funded for investigations into Neon Tetra Disease and Columnaris in ornamental fish however.