white patches/slime loss

[pdk]

i am having problems w/ an aro...
the aro has been loosing slime recently in small amounts near the head and front of the fish,
there was small cotton growth on the top scales

it went away with a water change and Melafix
then the next day there was a white patch on the face below the eye and above the mouth

i am getting real nervous and am thinking of purchasing medicine IF the problem continues or gets worse (anti-fungal/ malachite green, arciflavine) but i dont know what the true cause is. I dont like putting meds in if its not needed or the problem remains unknown

the water is changed twice a week along with one of the two filters. feeding was reduced. now i only feed 1 cricket in two days.
normal diet of cricket and sw, ocasional pellet

i tried to take pix of the original problem but couldn't get a good shot, ill try again today to see if the New cotton can be photographed

i am not an expert so any suggestions or comments would be great,
pls help
paul

[surya]

The symptoms seem your aro got attack "white spot" (Ich) disease. The cause is parasite protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, usually only attacks if the fish which are not in good condition and low in resistnce. Does your fish always tends to rub itselft againts the tank side and botom to try to get rid of the itch ?

[pdk]

thanks for the help!
yes he rubs but the tank is at 86F and that should be around the temp ich is killed (86f or 88f).

there are also no visible parasites on the body or fins...only the white patches of cotton like fuzz on the head/cheek.

to me this seems more like fungus or a bacterial problem but im not good with this stuff

i Think, the water source itself is ok, as i use it on other tanks with discus, another aro and others, no problems elsewhere.

just the water in This tank is bad. there was also planaria in this tank which points to water but no other tanks show anything. there is something about this water or fish thats just not right

my Guesses:
sw particles in the water made water bad (changed 2X a week w/ 1 of 2 filters cleaned alternately)
cross contamination from another tank
i just stopped green water/sun light in the tank so maybe as algae died water went down or parameters changed?

again thanks for your help, i just dont want anything to happen to this fish and scared beyond belief i might lose this fish if things keep going this way

[hengky]

Keep the temp high in there...and ur best remedy is still changing partial water frequently.

[JD Winata]

No it is not Ich , it may be two things :
1.Fungus
2.Colonization of bacteria caused by body slime's lost

For the #1 , just rise a bit temperature and give antifungus plus antiseptic (Tetra ir OceanFree brand will be fine)

For #2 , give a little amount of crystal salt (remember just a bit at a time) or better use body slime enhancer tonic (some branded/named as Aquavital or something) but first you have to get rid the bacteria using some antiseptic or some mild anti crustachean (works faster than antiseptic)
Sometimes 1-3minutes saline (saltwater concentrate) bath will remove the white organics instantly but remember it s very risky .
If you could handle water change everyday perhaps high concentrate of salt will kill the germs more fast than any antiseptics but remember your fish will looks pale and refuse to feed during the medication , watch the risk of pH shock because salt medication . Not suggested for more than one day maximal treatment.

[aropan]

What is crystal salt, what the different with common salt that usually we use?

[pdk]

thanks again!
the pics dont show anything but a little slime
there appears to be lumps now as well. ill try take more pics and see

i tried salt at 1 Tablespoon per 10 gal
upped water to 3 times a week (40% each) from normal 2 times, replacing salts as taken out

how much salt can aros tolerate in the tank(not as bath?)
and how much water would you guys suggest i change daily? 25%?
i dont want to put med in if i dont have to.

[hengky]

Originally Posted by aropan

What is crystal salt, what the different with common salt that usually we use?

Bcuz aquarium salt has NO additives such as iodine or calcium silicate, which normal table salt does. Some ppl use table salt to their aquarium and has no prob, but some does so its NOT recommend to use table salt.

[hengky]

Originally Posted by pdk

thanks again!
the pics dont show anything but a little slime
there appears to be lumps now as well. ill try take more pics and see

i tried salt at 1 Tablespoon per 10 gal
upped water to 3 times a week (40% each) from normal 2 times, replacing salts as taken out

how much salt can aros tolerate in the tank(not as bath?)
and how much water would you guys suggest i change daily? 25%?
i dont want to put med in if i dont have to.

I would say 1 tablesppon of aquarium salt per each 5 gallons of aquarium water. NOTE when u decide to do a salt bath....raise ur water temp.

[pdk]

update:
white patches went away but turned into two bubbles (overnight). 12 hours later they tripled in size, grew together and now look like a blister (water or air?). there is a little lump on the other gill plate but thats not growing at nearly as fast.

will post pics but need to get to another computer

[JD Winata]

The blisters are normal due to slime loss and thats the "scar" on scales , it will dissapear in 3-4days .
Probably your fish is lack of mineral in it's tank , maybe should consider to put Aquavita (or any mineral substitute on any brands) to your tank.
Crystal salt should be considered as electrolit supplements but carefully not increasing pH level of your tank as aforementioned on my reply .
Goodluck !

[pdk]

fish is getting better...the blister is still there but getting smaller.

here are some pics:
blister developing

[pdk]

Blister side 1

[pdk]

Blister started as 1 small dot, then grew into three, then combined to one

[pdk]

the blister grew much bigger than in the pics but never got photo.

heres the other side blister (small)


aro 'Goldar' gettng better. thanks for all the help!