Fungal bloom taking over my aquarium?? What is this?!?!

[Masha]

...from what I've read, a reason why the fish might be struggling to breathe is because the slime uses oxygen. Especially if it's growing quickly - it's drawing all the oxygen out of the water. So I agree it's probably not affecting the fish directly and now that you have them away from the slime they should be fine.

 

[Abbitha]

Yes the fish are acting fine for the time being they got better immediately after me putting them in the bucket of clean water. But their water has ammonia in it. We are going to lowes to get tote right now. As big as possible for the time being until I know how to manage this.

 

[Abbitha]

I would like to thank you guys so much for helping me brainstorm. It just caught me completely off guard

 

[Masha]

You think it's algae? I figured algae would need some kind of pigment as it's a photosynthesizing plant. This is white/clear. Maybe do a fungal treatment on the tank? Would I need to treat the fish for fungus too? I mean, they WERE getting treated for ich so keep in kind they still have ich while all of this is happening. Feeling overwhelmed just thinking about how I'm supposed to treat the ich while they are already dealing with this now

One thing at a time.

If you can stabilise your fish, there's no reason to hurry. Don't try a treatment for algae/mold/bacteria till you are reasonably sure what to treat for.

If you see itch spots on fish, treat them according to this method, which will need a clean heater and a clean air-stone.
Using Heat to Treat Ich in Freshwater Tropical Fish - Article at The Age of Aquariums - Tropical Fish

 

[Delapool]

Can you post what meds you were using? I've had a grey-white slime coat the QT with the heater covered but nothing anywhere near that. I just cleaned it off on the weekend and it hosed off readily.

 

[Masha]

I would like to thank you guys so much for helping me brainstorm. It just caught me completely off guard

Just hope you come out okay. Remember - take it easy. Don't panic. Dont make any rush decisions. One thing at at time!

If you don't have Seachem Prime, get some. It helps to neutralise ammonia temporarily.

 

[Abbitha]

It's biospheres maracide for ich, velvet, and other parasites. Going to get tote now. I'm not feeling as overwhelmed with y'all's help

 

[Delapool]

It's biospheres maracide for ich, velvet, and other parasites. Going to get tote now. I'm not feeling as overwhelmed with y'all's help

Thanks, checking what I used just in case. I doubt the UV unit would help - did you end up trying it?

 

[Abbitha]

I already ha the uv before this but I doubt it's working now. Everything is clogged. But I no it wouldn't help because this stuff grew over night even with a uv in the tank lol hoping maybe with the ich when the fish are in the tote. Should I continue treating the fish for the ich in the tote? Idk how well it'll work because I'll have to do very frequent water changes while in tote

 

[Delapool]

...from what I've read, a reason why the fish might be struggling to breathe is because the slime uses oxygen. Especially if it's growing quickly - it's drawing all the oxygen out of the water. So I agree it's probably not affecting the fish directly and now that you have them away from the slime they should be fine.

Hi, did you see anything on rate of growth? I'm just somewhat puzzled that something could grow that quick - basically overnight as I understand it?

 

[Abbitha]

Yes this seriously happened overnight. Went to bed with happy fish and came home kt gasping fish and slime

 

[Abbitha]

The lights were out while this happened

 

[Masha]

I'm not sure if you need to medicate for ich at this stage. The frequent water changes you are doing will help get rid of the itch. And not using water from the original tank too, since that will reduce the number of ich parasites in the water.

The link I posted explains how to get rid of ich without medication. I'm not sure if it's the best thing for you do to at this stage though so maybe hold off on that until a more experienced person has weighed in on the discussion!

 

[Delapool]

I just had a look - I think it was a multicure for white spot, velvet and fungal disease that did it (has malachite green, methylene blue and acriflavine). However I did try a few different things but that was my suspect.

The tank glass had a thin film but the heater looked like it was coated in grey-white, slimey glue. The tank was completely clean before that.

 

[Abbitha]

I got the fish a 30 gallon clear tote. How often should I do changes with a the fish I have. What should I do about my plants? Can I save em somehow?

 

[Delapool]

I got the fish a 30 gallon clear tote. How often should I do changes with a the fish I have. What should I do about my plants? Can I save em somehow?

If you have prime or such then I believe it lasts for 24-48 hrs. But as the ammonia is cumulative I'd do 50% every day.

Can you wash it off the plants? If you can get most off then worth a shot.

 

[Delapool]

I'm sorry I've got to sign off but hope it works out.

 

[Abbitha]

I can try washing off plants and place em in a bucket but this stuff is much thicker than it appears. We will give that a try and see what we can save *sigh* watching my money die is discouraging lol I won't put plants in with the fish though but I'll go buy some plastic plants to offer them some coverage. Poor things are stressed as is

 

[Masha]

For plants, this might help:

Get some hidrogen peroxide (3% solution) - this is commonly sold at pharmacys so it should not be hard to get hold of. Make 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts water solution. Dip the plants in it for about 15 minutes, and give them a good rinse in clean water.

 

[flitabout]

Masha I was just going to tell her the same thing about washing the plants.