Early Columnaris?? Please help!

[blyatboy]

Hello all. A couple of days ago, I noticed a guppy with small, raised, white growths near the base of her pectoral fins, as well as what looked like dead white skin on the rim of her eyes. I isolated her immediately. The day after, another guppy showed the same symptoms near the eyes.
It could be popeye, but I'm not sure. I started to suspect a bacterial infection, since I read that popeye is a symptom of that.





Last night, I started to notice a very thin white perimeter on the lips of some guppies in the main tank. It is not protruding right now and doesn't affect their eating. Granted, I can't be sure if they were always like this, but I'm starting to worry that it is columnaris.





Ammonia and nitrite are 0. Nitrates around 40ppm. The tank is admittedly overstocked and I am starting 20% daily water changes.
Am I overreacting? I cannot observe any behavioral changes yet. None of the fish have "saddleback" or torn fins either.
I have already prepared some medicated food with Kanaplex and Metroplex, but I'm still uncertain. Should I begin dosing? Or wait for more symptoms before pulling the trigger? What should I look out for?
Any insight or advice would be highly appreciated!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

You will need antibiotics if it is Columnaris. I have battled it with success a number of time over the past couple of decades. It is hard to tell from your pics. so you will have to decide.

 

[fishorama]

I agree with 2 tank. I can't remember the most effective antibiotic available in the US ATM. Where do you live (in a vague way)? Not everyone has antibiotics we in the US can get. But it sounds like maybe you are in the US if you can get Kanaplex...?

 

[FreshyFresh]

Just to add to the above, I would skip daily ~20% water changes for much larger volume, lower frequency changes. I get it though. Depending on your setup etc, larger my not be possible.