White Patch On Otto

Hi,

I’ve noticed a white patch on my otto’s back. Parameters are stable although nitrates higher than I’d like due high levels in tap water.

Doesn’t look like white spot, any ideas and how to treat?

Torpedo barb has a small spot on its nose (not sure if it’s an injury from dominant barb) but all other fish seem fine.




Any ideas?

Scooobe

 

Just realised this may be in the wrong section, can admin relocate or shall I repost?

Scoobe

 

I'm sure it can be moved, don't repost.

Please fill this out. https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/aquatic-emergency-template.376562/

In the meantime: does it look like it's fuzzy? Spreading/growing bigger? Does only one have it? Does it look like scales are missing? Does it look flaky? Slimy?

 

I'm no expert, and I don't wanna scare you, but I've seen photos of lateral line erosion (Hole in the head) and this kinda looks like it...

 

Tank

What is the water volume of the tank? 200l (55gal)
How long has the tank been running? Bought second hand a month ago but professionally moved using aquarium movers.
Does it have a filter? Fluval 306 fully established and fluval U2 internal using nitrate reducing media rather than ceramics
Does it have a heater? Yes set at 25c
What is the water temperature? 25.1c
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.)
X3 corys
X3 black phantom tetra
X3 torpedo barbs
X11 rummynose tetra
X1 Otto
X1 featherfin squeaker (catfish - 5 inches)


Maintenance
How often do you change the water? Weekly
How much of the water do you change? 30%
What do you use to treat your water? Prime when water changing
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?
Yes
*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes fully cycled
What do you use to test the water? API test kit
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate:40-60ppm
pH: 7.4

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? Daily
How much do you feed your fish? They eat within 3 mins, except catfish pellet for the featherfin which all nibble on before he comes out to take his share.
What brand of food do you feed your fish? TetraminI and vitalis
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods? Frozen Blood worms once a week at best

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? 1 month
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? Noticed the white on barb nose 2 days ago and Otto today.
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms?

White blob on barbs nose although he rarely stays still to study properly. Ottos white doesn’t look raised but flush and almost like chalk marks.
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? Behaviour as per normal, acting healthy

Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)

 

Based on what you're telling us, you have a problem with nitrates? Are you overstocked? If that's the case, take the carbon out of your filters (if you have any) and increase the amount of water changes as well as how much you take out. (More like 50%?)
Also, read this through. A lot of this appears to match what you put in your emergency template:
Identify, Treat, and Prevent Head and Lateral Line Erosion Disease

 

Tap water nitrates are high, so water changes only reduce it to that level. Have a PozzanI water filter coming over the weekend to take the nitrates out of the tap water, so that will improve through the next few water changes.

Stocking should be ok with the weekly water changes and filtration due aqadvisor, about 86%.

 

Tap water nitrates are high, so water changes only reduce it to that level. Have a PozzanI water filter coming over the weekend to take the nitrates out of the tap water, so that will improve through the next few water changes.

Stocking should be ok with the weekly water changes and filtration due aqadvisor, about 86%.

So your big issue is getting nitrates down then. You can add prepared broccolI and peas to their diet, or aquarium vitamins to their food while you wait perhaps. I read these help with HLLE. As long as they're sick I'd up water changes still, but that's just me, and I'm still a newbie. Hopefully someone a bit more seasoned will have some better solutions.
Have you thought of purchasing and using spring water to get nitrates down as well? It may be necessary until your issue resolves.

 

Yeah, that's pretty high nitrates, and otos are known to be sensitive to water parameters and conditions.
You listed 1 oto. This probably isn't related to what's going on with him, but they're a schooling fish. Some buddies might make him happy if he doesn't seem like he (or she) is.

except catfish pellet for the featherfin which all nibble on before he comes out to take his share.
What brand of food do you feed your fish? TetraminI and vitalis
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods? Frozen Blood worms once a week at best

What is "tetramini?" I only found Tetra Betta MinI Pellets. Unless you mean TetraMin flakes? What is the Vitalis food?
I don't think your oto is getting a proper diet. From what you you've listed, you don't have any veggies and greens for it to eat, just all animal protein. Do you have a huge algae problem that he could be eating?
Otocinclus Catfish Care, Size, Life Span, Tank Mates, Breeding

Back to the issue at hand, the first step is to reduce nitrates and to do that, water changes! What is your tap water nitrates, specifically? Mine is 20ppm but I have live plants, particularly pothos which are good at using nitrates, and don't exceed this.

Does the other fish have the same exact thing going on with its nose or does it look different?

 

Reading through that link I don’t think it is HLLE. It’s not along the lateral line of the Otto. The nose of the barb look raised rather than eroded. Hmmm.

The nitrates will sort them selves out after I get the PozzanI filter. The tap water nitrates are at 40+ ppm so water changes do little to reduce it. Currently.

That said, the Otto has been in my old tank in 40+ppm nitrates for over a year and always been vibrant and healthy. Due to the nitrates, there is always been plentiful algae around and is constantly grazing. That said I throw the odd algae wafer in every now and again. He did have a mate with him at first but lost it very early on after I got them.

Yeah the tetra min flakes. It’s what the old aquarium owner was feeding the schooling fish before so didn’t want to rock the boat. The vitalis are Plec pellets and have some smaller catfish pellets too.

I do have some live plants, bit of moss, Anubis and java fern, plus some surface plants and have a few bunches of amazon swords and crypts en route to try and boost the nitrate reduction but the PozzanI should do the job I’m the short term whilst the plants establish.

I have ordered some Seachem paraguard after spotting the nose of the barb yesterday, that should be with me tomorrow or Saturday. I should be ok to dose that right?

Can’t add porthos as the cabinet is covered with an oak hood. It’s an aqua oak aquarium, but that’s by the by if the PozzanI does the job.

 

I have ordered some Seachem paraguard after spotting the nose of the barb yesterday, that should be with me tomorrow or Saturday. I should be ok to dose that right?

Can’t add porthos as the cabinet is covered with an oak hood. It’s an aqua oak aquarium, but that’s by the by if the PozzanI does the job.

I've used Paraguard with snails and plants and even fry and didn't have problems.

I keep pothos submerged just like with any other plant and they do great. I don't really have it planted, just resting on the substrate with a plant led to keep it weighted a bit.

I guess you'll just have to keep your fingers crossed and await rescue.

 

Reading through that link I don’t think it is HLLE. It’s not along the lateral line of the Otto. The nose of the barb look raised rather than eroded. Hmmm.

The nitrates will sort them selves out after I get the PozzanI filter. The tap water nitrates are at 40+ ppm so water changes do little to reduce it. Currently.

That said, the Otto has been in my old tank in 40+ppm nitrates for over a year and always been vibrant and healthy. Due to the nitrates, there is always been plentiful algae around and is constantly grazing. That said I throw the odd algae wafer in every now and again. He did have a mate with him at first but lost it very early on after I got them.

Yeah the tetra min flakes. It’s what the old aquarium owner was feeding the schooling fish before so didn’t want to rock the boat. The vitalis are Plec pellets and have some smaller catfish pellets too.

I do have some live plants, bit of moss, Anubis and java fern, plus some surface plants and have a few bunches of amazon swords and crypts en route to try and boost the nitrate reduction but the PozzanI should do the job I’m the short term whilst the plants establish.

I have ordered some Seachem paraguard after spotting the nose of the barb yesterday, that should be with me tomorrow or Saturday. I should be ok to dose that right?

Can’t add porthos as the cabinet is covered with an oak hood. It’s an aqua oak aquarium, but that’s by the by if the PozzanI does the job.

Good, I would have been worried. I agree with cheshire; I suppose all you can do is wait for the cavalry.

 

So 3 days on and 3 changes 30% changes with the PozzanI filter and my nitrates are <20ppm. Have also planted a load of crypts and amazon swords.

The white hasn’t developed any further on either fish and not showing on any other livestock. Dare I say it the torpedo barb nose looks slightly better, the white blob has “split” and can see the nose colours through slightly (I think) I think it may be tissue damage that’s healing? They are quick and maybe hit the glass?

So the only thing is the Otto. I haven’t used the paraguard yet, wanted to see if the nitrate reduction would have its own effect. Should o try it anyway, or wait a few days?

Both fish seem happy and spritely, feeding fine etc.