View Full Version : Parasite or Fungus? Please help
IronMaiden
12-09-2003, 4:43 PM
Hello board, this is my first and unfortunately, not so happy post.
I hope you will help me.
I think my Rasbora has some kind of illness.
Well... he has some kind of white patch, extended from the body on one side and overall his colour is kind of milky. However, he is quite well... he eats and swims, but he tends to swim alone, away from his mates...but not all the time.
I want to note that he is my new fish... bought just 2 weeks ago. I know my store is reliable, has healthy fishes and I carefully examine every tank with the fish that I'm interested in. Their tank had about 60-70 Rasboras and _all_ were healthy and lively. What's more important, they were in the store for more than 2 weeks.
So I definitely think it's from the stress. All other fish in the tank are healthy. So I need to know - is this some kind of fungus or parasitic disease? I think this isn't bacteria, because the white patch isn't on the mouth, fins, etc...
If the fish gets some disease because of stress, is there a possibility that the fish will cure itself with no medicines necessary?
Please help, I really want to save this fish. Thank you.
Dahlia
12-10-2003, 7:18 AM
Hi!
Could you describe his symptoms in a little more detail? Does it look like missing scales, a growth, discoloration? Any extra info will help someone diagnose it.
Also, how long has your tank been up and running? How large is it and what fish are in it? How long have you had the other rasboras? Have you tested it for pH, ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate? If so what were your results.
Good luck with your fish!
Cearbhaill
12-10-2003, 9:02 AM
If the fish gets some disease because of stress, is there a possibility that the fish will cure itself with no medicines necessary?
Sure- fish have immune systems just like the rest of us- just depends on how well they are functioning. Stress as well as poor nutrition and less than ideal water conditions supress immune system function.
Keeping your water extra clean via frequent water changes and great food helps them the most in this respect IMO.
I'd actually rather see you watch and wait than add a bunch of meds not knowing what the actual problem is.
Is it a film or a cottonish patch?
Could you have possibly added any chlorine/chloramine remover directly to the tank and maybe burned him a bit?
Any chance of a photo?
And FWIW nothing beats a quarrantine tank. No matter how much I trust a vendor I can't risk the entire display tank to what they tell me.
IronMaiden
12-10-2003, 11:58 AM
Ok,
My tank is almost 2 years old. Never had any problems with the fish or algae. Everything seems good. All other fish are healthy (neons, rasboras, rams, gouramis, catfishes) and never were sick.
The white patch looks more like a cotton than film... the whole skin looks a bit of grayish... but maybe that's because of this patch. Water is great... I do 50% water changes every 2 weeks.
Unfortunately I can't take a picture of him.
I tried with the quarantine tank... but with the schooling fish it's very difficult (stressed) keeping them alone for at least 10 days.
Thanks all!
NJ Devils Fan
12-10-2003, 4:34 PM
Sorry this has nothing to do with the thread, but...
UP THE IRONS!!!!!!
Dahlia
12-10-2003, 5:48 PM
The white patch looks more like a cotton than film... the whole skin looks a bit of grayish... but maybe that's because of this patch. Water is great... I do 50% water changes every 2 weeks.
I'm hoping someone who knows what this is will respond, I've never experienced this problem in my tanks. It sounds like a bacterial or fungal (or both, as they are often symbiotic) problem to me. Try the Health and Diseases section at The Skeptical Aquarist (http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/) to see if that points you in the right direction.
IronMaiden
12-11-2003, 10:26 AM
I thought myself it was a fungus... fish behaves normally and all other fishes are ok. That is quite common for fungus... It's 100% sure that the fish suffered from stress and something (fungus?) caught him.
No more lies, up the irons! :D
Hi! This is my first post as well (and first aquarium). I seem to have a somewhat similar problem with my Betta. He doesn't seem to eat, tilts to one side, and doesn't swim around any. At first I thought he was just getting used to a new enviornment, but today I noticed for the first time a little whitish "cottony" substance on one side. I've only had him for two days. My ph is 7.6 and all the other tests are fine. Can anyone provide some help or info?
Aquarius0015
01-25-2004, 3:38 PM
Try a search for cotton fungus. You better act quick with the betta. My betta showed symptoms of cotton fungus on a Wednesday and died on Friday, and this was *with* medication. Just about any pet store and most Wal-Marts sell anti-fungus medicine.
Thanks for the quick reply but we were not quick enough. Just came back from the movies and found him dead. :( Off the the lfs in the morning.