Is this ich?

[Karen Garza]

My blue gourami has one small white spot on it's back and a bit of what
looks like fluffy cotton on the tail fin. I have some Rid Ich on hand if
needed. I also have Fungus Clear if it's a fungus.
I have also noticed that the tetra in the same tank has a big belly
lately. The tetra is a PIG so I just figured it was due to overeating.
But now I'm not so sure. Maybe I should skip feeding for a few days and
see what happens?
Both of these fish are in a 20 gallon tank along with one kuhli loach,
three peppered corys, and a gold algae eater, plus driftwood, plants,
and a coconut shell cave. Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate trace. I have a
penguin 125 biowheel filter.

Thanks

Karen

[Justin Boucher]

I don't think the one small white spot and fluffy cotton stuff is ich. Ich
looks as if the fish was sprinkled wtih salt. It does not have any fluffy
anything with it. The fluffy cotton stuff could be a fungus infection or
the fish's reaction by shedding part of it's slime coat. You could tell
easier by sight. Either way, it's not a good sign.

Regarding the big belly, it is possible that the tetra is a PIG, however,
there is also the possiblity of Dropsy. One main characteristic of Dropsy
is a separation of the scales due to the largeness of the fish. It's like
the ends of the scales are sticking out rather than laying flat against
eachother as they normally would.

As for a remedy, it's important to consider your tank maintenance practices.
How often do you perform water changes? If it's been a while, do one. You
did not indicate what your pH was for the tank. Compare it with your tap
water pH. This would help you identify if you need any additional
precautions when doing a major water change (greater than 50%). What about
the bio-filter? When was the last time you serviced it? Be careful to not
clean it too much and put your tank back in cycle, but an unattended and old
biofilter can be a haven for all kinds of disease producing organisms.
Another thing to consider is how much food you are feeding. Most people
overfeed their fish even when they think that they aren't feeding enough.
If your Tetra is just simply fat, that may be a strong indication that you
are overfeeding. Providing too much food to a tank will deteriorate the
water quality very quickly and affect overall fish health. It is possible
that the symptoms you are seeing are a result of too much food.

Personally, I prefer not to treat a tank unless I know specifically what the
ailment is. Might I recommend a book called "The Manual of Fish Health" by
Tetra Press. It is full of pictures of various fish diseases for simple
identification and wonderfully organized for easy searches. I have found it
very usefull in my experiences. Without truely knowing what your gourami is
suffering from, I'm hesitant to recommend any specific treatment.
Nevertheless, a water change and proper tank maintenance will go a long way
to improving overall fish health.

Justin


"Karen Garza" > wrote in message
hlink.net...
> My blue gourami has one small white spot on it's back and a bit of what
> looks like fluffy cotton on the tail fin. I have some Rid Ich on hand if
> needed. I also have Fungus Clear if it's a fungus.
> I have also noticed that the tetra in the same tank has a big belly
> lately. The tetra is a PIG so I just figured it was due to overeating.
> But now I'm not so sure. Maybe I should skip feeding for a few days and
> see what happens?
> Both of these fish are in a 20 gallon tank along with one kuhli loach,
> three peppered corys, and a gold algae eater, plus driftwood, plants,
> and a coconut shell cave. Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate trace. I have a
> penguin 125 biowheel filter.
>
> Thanks
>
> Karen
>

[Gordon]

Karen,

Justin provides what sounds like very sound advice. If you can't get hold of
the book he mentions, then take a look at
http://fins.actwin.com/disease/chart1.php

This may help you diagnose the actual symtoms.

Best of luck

Gordon.



"Justin Boucher" > wrote in message
...
> I don't think the one small white spot and fluffy cotton stuff is ich.
Ich
> looks as if the fish was sprinkled wtih salt. It does not have any fluffy
> anything with it. The fluffy cotton stuff could be a fungus infection or
> the fish's reaction by shedding part of it's slime coat. You could tell
> easier by sight. Either way, it's not a good sign.
>
> Regarding the big belly, it is possible that the tetra is a PIG, however,
> there is also the possiblity of Dropsy. One main characteristic of Dropsy
> is a separation of the scales due to the largeness of the fish. It's like
> the ends of the scales are sticking out rather than laying flat against
> eachother as they normally would.
>
> As for a remedy, it's important to consider your tank maintenance
practices.
> How often do you perform water changes? If it's been a while, do one.
You
> did not indicate what your pH was for the tank. Compare it with your tap
> water pH. This would help you identify if you need any additional
> precautions when doing a major water change (greater than 50%). What
about
> the bio-filter? When was the last time you serviced it? Be careful to
not
> clean it too much and put your tank back in cycle, but an unattended and
old
> biofilter can be a haven for all kinds of disease producing organisms.
> Another thing to consider is how much food you are feeding. Most people
> overfeed their fish even when they think that they aren't feeding enough.
> If your Tetra is just simply fat, that may be a strong indication that you
> are overfeeding. Providing too much food to a tank will deteriorate the
> water quality very quickly and affect overall fish health. It is possible
> that the symptoms you are seeing are a result of too much food.
>
> Personally, I prefer not to treat a tank unless I know specifically what
the
> ailment is. Might I recommend a book called "The Manual of Fish Health"
by
> Tetra Press. It is full of pictures of various fish diseases for simple
> identification and wonderfully organized for easy searches. I have found
it
> very usefull in my experiences. Without truely knowing what your gourami
is
> suffering from, I'm hesitant to recommend any specific treatment.
> Nevertheless, a water change and proper tank maintenance will go a long
way
> to improving overall fish health.
>
> Justin
>
>
> "Karen Garza" > wrote in message
> hlink.net...
> > My blue gourami has one small white spot on it's back and a bit of what
> > looks like fluffy cotton on the tail fin. I have some Rid Ich on hand if
> > needed. I also have Fungus Clear if it's a fungus.
> > I have also noticed that the tetra in the same tank has a big belly
> > lately. The tetra is a PIG so I just figured it was due to overeating.
> > But now I'm not so sure. Maybe I should skip feeding for a few days and
> > see what happens?
> > Both of these fish are in a 20 gallon tank along with one kuhli loach,
> > three peppered corys, and a gold algae eater, plus driftwood, plants,
> > and a coconut shell cave. Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate trace. I have a
> > penguin 125 biowheel filter.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Karen
> >
>
>

[Karen Garza]

Justin Boucher wrote:

> The fluffy cotton stuff could be a fungus infection or
> the fish's reaction by shedding part of it's slime coat.

Well it's definitely fluffy white cotton looking stuff. It's at the top
of the caudal fin.

> Regarding the big belly, it is possible that the tetra is a PIG, however,
> there is also the possiblity of Dropsy. One main characteristic of Dropsy
> is a separation of the scales due to the largeness of the fish. It's like
> the ends of the scales are sticking out rather than laying flat against
> each other as they normally would.

The tetra's scales look fine. I really think it's just a pig. I usually
don't feed much. But lately have been adding treats (frozen blood worms
and frozen brine shrimp) about twice per week. Obviously I need to cut
out the treats.

> As for a remedy, it's important to consider your tank maintenance practices.
> How often do you perform water changes? If it's been a while, do one.

I was doing 30% weekly or biweekly water changes and gravel vacs, but I
have cut that back a bit this past week. I did a 25% water change and
gravel vac on Saturday. I plan to do this once per week.

You
> did not indicate what your pH was for the tank. Compare it with your tap
> water pH. This would help you identify if you need any additional
> precautions when doing a major water change (greater than 50%).

The PH is 7.6. Tap water is about 8.0

What about
> the bio-filter? When was the last time you serviced it?

The tank is only about six weeks old so I haven't yet serviced the
biofilter. I used to rinse the filter cartridge our about once per week
but was told not to. I changed the filter cartridge out at about one month.

> Another thing to consider is how much food you are feeding. Most people
> overfeed their fish even when they think that they aren't feeding enough.
> If your Tetra is just simply fat, that may be a strong indication that you
> are overfeeding.

Yep. I believe this is the problem with the tetra. This problem is
easily solved.

> Might I recommend a book called "The Manual of Fish Health" by
> Tetra Press. It is full of pictures of various fish diseases for simple
> identification and wonderfully organized for easy searches.

I'll see if I can find it. Thanks :-)

Without truely knowing what your gourami is
> suffering from, I'm hesitant to recommend any specific treatment.

Okay, fair enough.
Thanks for your advice :-)

Karen

[Karen Garza]

I tried the site that you mentioned , but the answer I got was "Your
symptoms don't match anything that this chart was designed to diagnose.
Sorry." I'm inclined to think it's a fungus but I'll keep searching.
I'm going to see if I can buy a copy of the book (The Manual of Fish
Health) that Justin wrote about.
Thanks anyway :-)

Karen
Gordon wrote:

> Karen,
>
> Justin provides what sounds like very sound advice. If you can't get hold of
> the book he mentions, then take a look at
> http://fins.actwin.com/disease/chart1.php
>
> This may help you diagnose the actual symtoms.
>
> Best of luck
>
> Gordon.

[RedForeman ©®]

Jungle Labs, Fungus Eliminator worked for white cotton fungus that a few of
my aulonacara got a year or so ago....

--
RedForeman ©®


"Karen Garza" > wrote in message
hlink.net...
>
>
> Justin Boucher wrote:
>
> > The fluffy cotton stuff could be a fungus infection or
> > the fish's reaction by shedding part of it's slime coat.
>
> Well it's definitely fluffy white cotton looking stuff. It's at the top
> of the caudal fin.
>
> > Regarding the big belly, it is possible that the tetra is a PIG,
however,
> > there is also the possiblity of Dropsy. One main characteristic of
Dropsy
> > is a separation of the scales due to the largeness of the fish. It's
like
> > the ends of the scales are sticking out rather than laying flat against
> > each other as they normally would.
>
> The tetra's scales look fine. I really think it's just a pig. I usually
> don't feed much. But lately have been adding treats (frozen blood worms
> and frozen brine shrimp) about twice per week. Obviously I need to cut
> out the treats.
>
> > As for a remedy, it's important to consider your tank maintenance
practices.
> > How often do you perform water changes? If it's been a while, do one.
>
> I was doing 30% weekly or biweekly water changes and gravel vacs, but I
> have cut that back a bit this past week. I did a 25% water change and
> gravel vac on Saturday. I plan to do this once per week.
>
> You
> > did not indicate what your pH was for the tank. Compare it with your
tap
> > water pH. This would help you identify if you need any additional
> > precautions when doing a major water change (greater than 50%).
>
> The PH is 7.6. Tap water is about 8.0
>
> What about
> > the bio-filter? When was the last time you serviced it?
>
> The tank is only about six weeks old so I haven't yet serviced the
> biofilter. I used to rinse the filter cartridge our about once per week
> but was told not to. I changed the filter cartridge out at about one
month.
>
> > Another thing to consider is how much food you are feeding. Most people
> > overfeed their fish even when they think that they aren't feeding
enough.
> > If your Tetra is just simply fat, that may be a strong indication that
you
> > are overfeeding.
>
> Yep. I believe this is the problem with the tetra. This problem is
> easily solved.
>
> > Might I recommend a book called "The Manual of Fish Health" by
> > Tetra Press. It is full of pictures of various fish diseases for simple
> > identification and wonderfully organized for easy searches.
>
> I'll see if I can find it. Thanks :-)
>
> Without truely knowing what your gourami is
> > suffering from, I'm hesitant to recommend any specific treatment.
>
> Okay, fair enough.
> Thanks for your advice :-)
>
> Karen
>

[Aquatic-Store.com]

Regular ich will be small individual spots while a fungus is usually
the cottony stuff
Kasselmann aquarium plants book 59.99

Marcus

http://www.aquatic-store.com/

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http://aquatic.yupapa.com/phpbb/index.php

http://www.aquarium-plant-store.com

On Mon, 26 Jan 2004 17:32:47 GMT, Karen Garza >
wrote:

>My blue gourami has one small white spot on it's back and a bit of what
>looks like fluffy cotton on the tail fin. I have some Rid Ich on hand if
>needed. I also have Fungus Clear if it's a fungus.
>I have also noticed that the tetra in the same tank has a big belly
>lately. The tetra is a PIG so I just figured it was due to overeating.
>But now I'm not so sure. Maybe I should skip feeding for a few days and
>see what happens?
>Both of these fish are in a 20 gallon tank along with one kuhli loach,
>three peppered corys, and a gold algae eater, plus driftwood, plants,
>and a coconut shell cave. Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate trace. I have a
>penguin 125 biowheel filter.
>
>Thanks
>
>Karen