new blue ram fungus

[dsbrasw]

I put a pair pair of juvenile german blue rams in my 55 gallon yesterday. Today the female has a small white fluffy spot on her side. I'm assuming fungus. I don't have QT tank. (I know, I know!!!) Is salt the best treatment? If so at what level? If not what? Tank stocked with tetras, CORIES, dwarf gouramies, zebra danios.harlequin rasboras
pH 6.8
ammonia, nitrite -0
nitrate - about 20
temp - 75 F

planted with amazon swords. Added java fern today to help with nitrates because of the rams

[dsbrasw]

Anyone?!?!?

[pl*co]

I've given this some thought, but what really has me hung up is that you've got this 55 gallon tank. The larger the tank, the more expensive it is to medicate, compared to say... a 10 gal. hospital tank. ... not to mention, you'd be medicating all the other fish in the tank. Now some will tell you that if the fungus is on the fish, it's in the tank and therefore... the other fish are at risk. You can always keep an eye on them while you're treating the one fish in a hospital tank. Sure you won't consider setting one up? You can quick cycle with some gravel, water and filter media from the existing tank. I did it myself today. The question of medication won't be such an issue and you can use what you want. I have read here that salt can be used to treat body fungus, but you can also use PimaFix or Maracyn. There are also other treatments available. Another issue with treating the tank, is whether or not you have live plants. Some meds can affect the plants, but also screw up your biofilter. So be careful what you use, depending on other circumstances.

[Sully]

my bet is that it is bacterial in nature. simply appears to be a fungus.

There is a chance that it is parasitic. Depending upon how long you have had the rams, size of tank, other tankmates, and water levels for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, temp,,,,It would be tough to make a definitive guess. even with that info the best one can usually do on-line with an issue like this is an educated guess.

Two links. The first dealing specifically with diseases rams are especially sensitive to. The second some general info about rams.

http://www.fishbase.org/Diseases/diseasesList.cfm?id=12305&stockcode=12631

http://www.badmanstropicalfish.com/message_board/messages/32748/42093.html?1083616992

get all the tank info including the tank decor) and you might get a more helpful answer.

[Emg]

You should get yourself one of those hang on isolation tanks...one of the larger ones. If you had one you could just add an airstone to it and put any sick fish in it when the need arises. You will just have to change out at least half if not more of the water every day, which really isn't much trouble at all.

I just syphon out as much as I can and still leave enough so that the fish can swim...and refill with heated change water. (I always have a 10gallon filled with dechlorinated heated change water) I do this every day, sometimes twice when I have to treat a fish for anything. I don't use meds unless I have to though. I usually just try extra salt first. Sometimes just good clean water all the time and good nutritious food is enough to get them through minor ailments.

[pl*co]

That's a good idea Emg...especially if the fish are smaller ...compared to my catfish... :) I think I will try that for smallr guys too...and it's convenient for water changes because the cycled water is right there.

[IndianaSam]

75F is too cool for your Rams. Your temp should really be in the 82F-85F range. In my experience they're much healthier at that temperature range.

Sam

[imhandy2]

Also, they are sensative and need clean water.

[dsbrasw]

Thanks guys! I've been away from the computer for a day. I added half recommended dosage of salt yesterday, and the other half just a few minutes ago. I have upped the heater to try to warm up a couple of degrees. Today the spot looks pinkish with fuzz. I think she was injured when caught. It took the guy at the fish store twice to keep her in the net. So I gues I'm looking at fungal and/or bacterial infection. I'm aslo afraid she may have a couple of spots of ich starting. All other fish, including the male ram look good and are eating well.
Hang on QT sounds great! Already have the extra pump and airstone. Would PetSmart carry those? All my fish are small -the Dwarf gouramis are the big boys. The rams are still small. What kind of medication do I need? I'm assuming with the isolation tank, it truly seperates the water totally from the main tank but I still have the benefit of the main tank heater?

[dsbrasw]

Oh, yeah...

Running a Penguin 350 with dual biowheel -just filter material, no carbon and a Magnum HOT with biowheel - I have SeaChem Matrix in that filter - no carbon.

Two large fake plants, two large amazon swords and six baby amazon swords, three clumps of java moss. one piece of driftwood and two clay flowerpots which were purchased new for the aquarium. Whisper submersible heater rated for 30 to 60 gallons. Smooth gravel for substrate.Tank has been running about seven months.

[Emg]

Yes, buy an isolation tank that will not mix water with the tank. I don't know if PetSmart carries those or not. You may have to look in an aquarium specific store or somewhere online.

[dsbrasw]

Just back from Pet Smart - new 10 gallon QT tank with Whisper heater rated for 5-15 gallons. Already had whisper internal filter and air stone. Rams are now floating in a gladware bowl in the 10 gallon while I acclimate them over to the new water. I thought I should get the nitrates as close to zero for them as i could. Yes, water treated with Aqua Safe Temp in new tank almost at 80 degrees. The color on both fish already look much better.
PetSmart does not carry PimaFix only Melafix. All of the Mardel medicationswere strictly for fungal or bacterial, not both. picked up Fungus Clear which contains nitrofurazone, farazolidine, potassium dichromate. It says it works for fungal and bacterial. Will this be ok for the rams?

Thanks for all the help!

[pl*co]

Here's a link ... they are not expensive at all. Shipping is probably more. :P
Meanwhile, PetSmart or one of the large chains might have em.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3847&ref=3532&subref=AB&N=2004+113766

[Z1P2]

Fungus rarely pops up on it's own. It usually follows some sort of bacterial infection, or injury, etc. What you are describing almost sounds like Lymphrosistis (spelling?).

[dsbrasw]

Both rams have been in the QT with the Fungus clear for about six hours now. Since I think the female also has a couple a spots of ich, is it safe to put aquarium salt in the QT with the Fungus clear?