White spot on German Ram Head

brianl

AC Members
Dec 6, 2006
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Hello

One of my male Blue German Rams seems to have this white spot on his head. I have noticed it before, but about a week ago, it was much smaller. It's somewhat recessed, no cottony stuff, and it's the only spot on the fish, and the rest in the tank. Here are some (rather poor) pics.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/n.lasko/ram.html

He is behaving fine, eating, squabbling with the othe pair in the tank, etc.

Any ideas?

Oh, yes, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates are all zero. Nitrates maybe a bit above zero, but definitely not the first step on my kit (5 ppm). I realize I _want_ more Nitrates than zero (planted tank), I dosed it after testing. It's a new tank, so I'm just getting a handle on the fert requirements. Ph 6.6, KH 3, GH 7.

Thanks,

Brian
 
Try feeding him with Metronidazole laced food - it might be HITH, (Hole in the Head). Actually an internal issue, 'they' aren't sure if it is a virus, or caused by some internal parasite or a lack of good diet. I have soaked their favorite food in a mixture of Metro+ by Hikari.

I assume you have a well established tank, that you do regular 50% water changes, that your nitrates are always under 20 and that your tank temp is in the low to mid 80's. (And of course that you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites)

Other than the above, there isn't much you can do. Keep up with water changes, perhaps doing some daily. Bump up the temps to 86 and see if that helps.

Cathy
 
Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I do weekly waterchanges, sometimes a little more. Ammonia, Nitrites are zero. Nitrates are close to zero in both tanks (just getting the hang of how much ferts need - seems I still need more, but this is taking up my time right now). Temp is about 83 right now.

Two days ago I put him into a hospital tank and treated with Maracyn/Maracyn 2, Pimafix and Melafix. There has been no improvement, indeed, it has gotten worse:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/n.lasko/ramhead1.jpg
http://www3.sympatico.ca/n.lasko/ramhead2.jpg

Now there seems to be a little bit of whitish cottony stuff, and the white spot is raised up a little. Should I be trying something else?

Any help welcome,

Thanks

Brian
 
Don't add the mela and pima fix. They won't do you any good now. You'll have to finish the Maracyn/Maracyn2 course. You might try dissolving some of those med in a bit of tank water and soaking his food in it. Be sure to get the whole dose into the tank though.

When you are done with the Maracyns, with go with the Metronidazole like I suggested or go with very clean water and see what happens. He looks in bad shape. The white cottony growth is probably a true fungus - it takes advantage of diseased/damaged tissue. Be sure to do water changes before you start mixing the medicines.

Rams are sensitive to medicines, usually there isn't much we can do for them when they get sick...

Cathy
 
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