Black Spot-To treat or not to treat

[liv2padl]

I don't see how this fish could have been exposed to the Black Spot parasite...unless the breeder that Wal Mart uses also has birds and snails

a lot of fish in the hobby today are bred and raised in outdoor ponds in florida ... hence the possibility for snails and birds. the parasite in question here is however, still a rarity in aquariums.

 

[jamie1972]

Well.....the waiting game insues. lol The sore next to his mouth sure looks red today. I think he bumps it on the filter housing when he moves the floating plants around to make his bubble nest. I'll keep you posted on his condition.

Thanks all!

 

[Ghostshrimp55]

Ghostshrimp55, that's a VERY good question. This is my first Gourami...so I am interested in the answer. Do these black specks sound like my description?

I don't see how this fish could have been exposed to the Black Spot parasite...unless the breeder that Wal Mart uses also has birds and snails....and I wouldn't doubt that.

I hope to hear from you again...this is getting interesting.

(NOTE: I started dosing with Melafix this morning...due to a tear near the Gourami's mouth. He must've hurt himself on the filter housing.)

Well, it's hard to say. You say that yours have the specks all over their bodies? If that's the case, then it's different than what happens in mine. Like I said, mine usually get the specks in concentrations in defined areas; near the mouth, over to the operculum (the lowest part of it) and then down the sides a bit and a little on the anal fin. It's always the same and happens in all of them at one time or another, once or twice all at the same time. Eventually, it goes away and all of them will be "clear" for a while. I'm convinced it's natural and they don't seem to be affected by it one way or the other. If your gourami isn't flashing or gasping or showing signs of irritation near the spots I wouldn't worry about it. Good luck with that mouth sore, though.

 

[jamie1972]

Well, the black specks are gone! The sore near his mouth looks considerably better, also. I'm going to continue dosing with Melafix through Wednesday....then do a 50% water change...and see how he does. He's working on his nest right now.

Must've been normal coloring fluctuation. Interesting.

I've named him Buddy.