Black Spot

[Matt W]

Or diplopstomiasis....

Got some new silver dollars that appear to have this. I have read that formalin will deal with this. I would rather not use meds if I don't have to. Any other more natural treatments? Will raising the temp have any effect?

Fish seem unaffected BTW. Eating, swimming, acting normal...

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

do u hav fish in the tank w/ them? cuz if u do, & u can raise the temp. mayB that'll work... but if u do, 'member depending on wut type of fish u hav is the temp. they can B in...

[PumaWard]

I used to have some silver angelfish that looked like they had black spot. They never acted like they were being hurt by whatever it was so I left it untreated. I think it's a wait and see kind of thing.

[RTR]

Black spot on tropicals are the encysted larvae of complex life cycle digenetic flukes. They are not transmitted directly but have multi-stage life cycles involving both vertebrates and invertebrates. The ones you see are dead end in your fish. Treatment is impractical (surgery?) and not necessary.

[Matt W]

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad that this won't affect the health of the fish. I am particulary glad I asked here before treating with formalin :)