Somebody PLEASE help me figure out what this is in my tank!!

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nicolemarie

Aquarium Advice Newbie
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
1
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
I am new to the board, and I would not consider myself an aquarium "enthusiast," but I love my fish, and don't want him to die. I have a South American Cichlid that I have had for about three years, that I took from someone so that they wouldn't flush him. He is an absolutely awesome fish. Anyway, I got home today, and noticed all of these weird little white balls growing in a sort of cluster on the side of the tank. I don't remember seeing them yesterday-- what could they be? I am planning on cleaning the tank as soon as my husband gets home, but I just want to know what they are.

This morning I put some more water in the tank, because some had evaporated, and I turned on the light to warm him up, because the temperature dropped. He seems healthy and active and normal.... I just want to know what it is.

I know I probably seem like the worst fish owner in the world... I am in law school, and work, and do not really have time to properly clean the tank as regularly as I should. But he is a very hearty fish, and he seems pretty happy.

Please help me figure out what is going on!!!!
 
[center:a556dc1107] :smilecolros: Welcome to AA, nicolemarie!! :n00b: [/center:a556dc1107]

I have a South American Cichlid that I have had for about three years, that I took from someone so that they wouldn't flush him.
Can you be more specific or post a pic?

You are fortunate that he is healthy. When the temp fluctuates, that can stress a fish, making them susceptible to disease. Please get a heater for the tank. They are cheaper on-line and if you tell us the tank size, we can tell you the best deal.

I keep many animals and they are time consuming, but I maintained them while in a PhD program and through my Master’s work--it's doable :wink:

The white balls are most likely due from poor water parameters. In a cycled tank, the ammonia and nitrites are undetectable and the nitrates are below 40ppm. Is there a filter in the tank? Next time you go to the LFS, bring a sample of the tank water and ask them to test it. Write down the exact values and don't accept "ammonia is fine, nitrites slightly high...." Doing a PWC of 25% weekly or biweekly will help keep the health of this fish and eliminate nasty things growing in the aquarium :D
 
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