"Duane" wrote in message
...

Sounds like a fungus, and fungus is typically only a problem in thick
water
(high in DOCs) or when the fish have had their slime-coat stripped off
(any
various forms of stress). I would check to see that you're not having a
mini-cycle (measure the NH3/4, NO2 and NO3 again), that the water is
stable
(pH and kH) and not to any extreme (gH). If everything checks out, then
an
anti-fungal would be in order, though normally, fungus can be controlled
with quality water and healthy fish (varied diet and proper environment).
Melafix and Pimafix might be another alternative, though these are better
as
preventatives than cures (I recommend them with more fragile fish). Check
if the anti-fungal has any effect on your bacterial culture (my experience
with anti-fungals is limited, and there is variation by brand and what
would
be locally available to you).

All this advice is circumstantial. Fish bring all sorts of diseases with
them, either dormant or even just as carriers. I usually hold my breath
(in
a manner of speaking) for about 3 months. In that time, most of what they
bring will manifest itself. The most experienced hobbyists can find
themselves in your situation.

Once you are past this 3 month threshold, and you have a good maintenance
plan in place, you begin wondering why you ever thought of fish as fragile
;~). hth


Thanks for the quick reply Max, I went and picked up some anti-fungus
medicine and now I have more questions. The med says to remove
charcoal from my filters while using it, with the Penguin 350 it has
the charcoal built into the filters, what do I do? Also do you have
any ideas what I should watch for to tell if it is working. The med
contains Malachite Green, is this the right stuff to help my fish. I
also noticed early this morn that the other Angelfish is now starting
to show the same stuff so I really hope this stuff works. I would hate
to lose them. Thanks again for your help.

Duane Wible


The general consensus on carbon filtration is that after a few weeks, it
loses much of its capability, so its effect on medication might be
negligible.

It's very inaccurate to make predictions without seeing the symptoms, and
even then, I'm not the best person to ask. In alt.aquaria, Frank is quite
knowledgeable treating fish. There are also many web sites which have
diagnostic flowcharts for symptoms=disease=treatment, but I'm at work and
don't have access to my bookmarks here. There might be some on my website
which are still current.
http://www.2cah.com/netmax/Links/links.shtml#fother

Fungus is typically not difficult to treat, so there should be an
improvement within 2 days. Bacterial infections may take longer, and
anti-fungal may or may not be effective (some sulphur based anti-fungals are
good for treating some bacterias).

Malachite green is a carrier dye often used with formalin-based products to
treat external parasites. It will make your water green, though most
anti-fungals I've seen tend to make your water a lovely shade of fluorescent
yellow ;~).
--
www.NetMax.tk