What are these black spots???

[Plecolover4477]

GM Fishlore I noticed these black spots on one of my Columbian blue tetras,and I was wondering if anyone knows what they are?One more thing he is still eating, and haven't noticed any white stringy poop.

 

[JuDom]

GM.
It looks like Black Spot Disease, appropriately named obviously.
There is mixed opinions on what to do when your fish has this disease. Some people say to ride it out..because of the kind of parasite this is..it typically needs multiple hosts in order to complete its life cycle and spread. IE: Snail for the eggs to hatch, Fish for the worms to grow, Bird to eat the fish and therefore continue the lifecycle of the parasite in their gut so on and so forth.
Has the fish been scratching itself on anything? Flashing? Do any of your other fish seem affected?

 

[Plecolover4477]

GM.
It looks like Black Spot Disease, appropriately named obviously.
There is mixed opinions on what to do when your fish has this disease. Some people say to ride it out..because of the kind of parasite this is..it typically needs multiple hosts in order to complete its life cycle and spread. IE: Snail for the eggs to hatch, Fish for the worms to grow, Bird to eat the fish and therefore continue the lifecycle of the parasite in their gut so on and so forth.
Has the fish been scratching itself on anything? Flashing? Do any of your other fish seem affected?

Oh man..I haven't treated him or the tank yet, and no he hasn't been scratching or flashing.The other fish seem ok business as usual.If I do need to treat what med will be good?

 

[JuDom]

Oh man..I haven't treated him or the tank yet, and no he hasn't been scratching or flashing.The other fish seem ok business as usual.If I do need to treat what med will be good?

API General Cure contains praziquantel which is known to cure black spot but prior to treatment..you should be 100% sure that this is indeed what the fish is suffering from so I would suggest separating and observing him in a QT tank for a few days-week prior.
I always like to try raising the tank temp plus Aquarium Salts before I use any chemical medication for any illness.
From what I’ve read and heard, black spot doesn’t negatively affect the fish the same way Ich does. Apparently a fish can go a long long time carrying this parasite with no known symptoms.