something wrong with my fish I think

klfvilla

klfvilla

AC Members
Mar 15, 2007
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Southern Ontario, Canada
:help:I think that two of my three fishies might have ich or something but I don't know. This morning I noticed a small light coloured mark on my betta's head. Then one of the dwarf platys has a larger white sort of patch on its back. They are not acting unusual but I am very concerned about the marks. I am attaching pictures of the two in question. Sorry they are not the best quality but hopefully they will help somebody to diagnose. The little orange guy is camera shy and the betta on the other hand is in my face all the time. What do you think this is, what causes it, and what treatment can I use? From what I've read is it Melafix that I would add? I'm going to Walmart and the fish lady there I spoke to last time has some big tanks of her own so can hopefully help me also. Thank you.
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Do the spots look like little grains of salt? Are the fish acting normally? How long have you had them? Did you do anything that might have stressed them out?
It might be nothing but I'm not sure.


PS: Some of your plants are not true aquatics and will rot in your tank. One is the aluminum plant behind the betta and the one to the left of the platy looks kinda funny too.

Hope your fish will be fine.:)
 
The spots are not like grains of sand, they are 'softer'. Just one mark on each of the two fishes. The other inhabitant of the tank, a third dwarf platy is fine. I did recently find out that the two plants you pointed out are not true aquatics but thought they'd be fine in there for a few more days until I get proper plants (I was misled by Petcetera who sold me the two bad deals). The fish are acting completely normal. The tank is only 3 weeks old. I test the water with API test strips which I don't find very helpful and so as a precaution, I have been changing about 30% of the water ever 3 days, adding aquaplus tap water condition before I put the fresh water in. I've had the betta for a month now and the two little platys were just added on Friday. The stupid plants were added mid last week. Should I take those plants out right away? They are good little hiding/rest spots until I get some proper replacements. Thanks again.
 
I suppose the plants will be alright for now. I don't think they break down that fast, but I have never experimented so... Just keep on the water changes when the tests say the ammonia is over .25, since you are still having a cycle after only 3 weeks of having fish in it. Have you read up on fishy cycling?

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598
 
Thanks for the replies. The betta looks fine today so I don't know what that was on him but it seems to have disappeared. The little platy though is still the same. I put Melafix in yesterday. I think it is a fungus and I should pick up some fungus med. I only got the platy last weekend so who knows. I took out the crappy plants and put in a new java fern. I am testing the water and making changes as necessary.
 
you might be fine changing water every 3 days.but without a good test kit it is difficult to determine how much water you should change.

by doing small water changes you will reduce the concentration of toxins but you may not be removing enough to keep the water in the safe range. in essence the % of toxins will build up fast if less of it is removed with small partial changes. many have discovered you may have to change up to 50% of the water to keep the levels safe..

hang in there and good luck.
 
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