white spot

[online2]

My red tail shark has 1 white spot (1\16 to 1\8 inch in size). Its not ich, it don't look raised up, the center is whiter and fades out. Is it wound? I just notice it last 2 days, seems smaller today. How long should I give it to clear up on it own, what would be good to treat it ? The RTS is eating normal, and acting normal.

PH 7.4
ammonia 0ppm
nitrIte 0ppm
nitrAte 20ppm

Tank 55 gal --
1 RTS(4 inch)
3 black skirt tetras (2inches)
soon to be added 3 clown loaches (1.5\2\2.5 inches) in quarantine, this friday will be the end of week four.

Thanks
Online2

 

[beviking]

Hard to say w/o seeing it but sounds like a wound. Esp. since its smaller today. If it's getting better, I wouldn't treat it. Keep a close eye on it though since it's a prime target for bacteria! If you notice it getting larger or fuzzy in appearance, I would move it to a quarantine tank and treat with an anti-biotic.

 

[OrionGirl]

I agree--it's probably a wound. Is there something in the tank that it could have injured itself on? If you're worried, You might want to add some melafix just to be on the safe side. I'm not usually a fan of meds, but with injuries, it's way easier to prevent infection than to cure it.

 

[online2]

OrionGirl: I do have to 2 pieces of lava rock with holes leaning together to form a cave. Normally the RTS is not in that cave. But I have seem when RTS is in a hurry(usually my 18 month old girl going to the tank and yelling fishy!) go flying through the holes of the lava cave. I will keep eye on it. If not treated with any meds, what would be a normal heal time? My quarantine\hospital tank wouldnt be free till saturday.

Thanks
Online2

 

[OrionGirl]

Melafix could be used in your main tank without adverse effects. Otherwise, for a small wound with no aggravating factors, I would say 2-3 more days. Fish are pretty quick healers when the damage is on their body. Fins tend to be slower to heal, since they are always in use.