Pale/White blotches on fish

[slapnutz]

Can't get a good picture at the moment, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what 2 of my Gymnogeos have. Some spots on their sides and right up against their top fin, the length of the fin, are a pale/white-ish color. Only in spots, and it's only noticeable at certain angles. These "spots" aren't just little tiny things, like ich, but bigger blotches.

Tank is a 75g with a sump and a aqueon 55 HOB. Params are 0-0-20.

Stock consists of 5 Gymnogeos, 2 red ceibals, 2 jurupari, 5 clown loaches, couple tiger botias, couple pictus cats, and a royal pleco.

Did a water change, and started treating the tank with melafix, which has worked for me for before. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Troycool]

The white blotches may be a type of fungus. This is my best guess in a case like this where I dont have a picture. Fungus can appear as white stringy material, slimy stuff, fuzzy white tufts, white patches, fuzzy strands. Interestingly enough, what are usually labeled as fungal infections are actually bacterial in nature for example "columnaris" which is a common. The fish can usually recover quite easily if treated immediately. A good medication I have the best luck using is Jungle Brand 'fungus clear'.

Treat for as long as the fish has symptoms. Also, try to do 50% at least every other day. Clean water is vital for proper healing and discouraging the fungus from thriving.

Adding some aquarium salt to the water is also helpful in treating both bacterial and fungal infections in goldfish. It is optional. But be sure to pre-dissolve it before adding to the tank.

 

[jpappy789]

If they're not fuzzy in appearance, it's likely bacterial...quite posisbly columnaris.

there's no reason to add salt though...that really does nothing.

I suggest reading this to ID if its columnaris:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1657384&postcount=3

A pic would help immensly.

 

[slapnutz]

*One thing I forgot to mention. Fish were being very playful a couple days ago, and I stuck my hand in the tank and pet a couple of them. My hands were clean, as far as I can remember.*

Here's the worse of the two. Hard to get good pictures with my crappy point n shoot camera. He hasn't been swimming around much.

Tail starting to split badly

This guy is much more active, but still messed up.

 

[slapnutz]

Second to last pic looks like something has grown over, but the pic is deceiving. Just the coloring of him, not anything growing on him.

 

[DavidZ]

Is the fish in QT?

 

[slapnutz]

No, don't have a QT tank or an extra seeded filter to set one up.

 

[Troycool]

I have been thinking

Columnaris and Fungus are hard to distinguish the difference between sometimes. But since you said the skin is discolored as well, I am going to take a chance to say that it is columnaris.


Columnaris

Description:
Despite one of the disease's names, Fungus, this is actually a gram-negative rod bacterial disease. Columnaris bacteria will typically attach themselves to a fish's head, mouth, lips, or inside the mouth. Columnaris has different possible appearances:

• The mouth "fungus" is commonly called cotton-mouth because the fish's mouth seems to be covered with a thread-like cottonish substance. Since the initial leisions look somewhat like cotton, columnaris is often confused with true fungus. Note that when examined very closely, fungus has distinct hair-like filaments which shoot out, whereas columnaris is more like fuzz or lint.
  
  
• Columnaris usually affects the mouth area but can also appear as yellowish-brown, white, or grayish-white spots on some part of the head, fins, gills, or body which are usually surrounded by a reddish area. This type commonly takes what is known as a saddleback pattern on the fish's body.

Labyrinth fish and Apistogrammas are highly susceptible to this disease. Prevention includes keeping the water very clean by performing frequent water changes. As with any disease the fish is more susceptible to contract columnaris following stress. Also keep in mind that bacteria bloom in higher temperatures.

Treatments include:
Malachite green (except for fry), salt, Melafix, or antibiotics as a last recourse (such as Spectrogram, Furanace, or Sulfa-based products).

 

[pacpac2]

If it is columnaris, Kanamycin would be the best choice for an antibiotic. This disease will manifest rapidly and kill the fish within days if not treated quickly. Good luck! It is treatable though, and fish recover well. I think we have all had this problem at some time in our fish hobby life's.

 

[jpappy789]

I would definitely say columnaris over fungus. Where's Mel at? she's good at running through the treatment...I'll see if I can find a post of hers for ya.