Hello,
I have two "alpha" males (one black molly and one platy) that chase and poke each other quite a bit. One day a large white spot appeared on my molly (see photo). I noticed the platy poking on that spot and thought it was from the fighting. Then, a spot appeared on the other side also. Then, crystal-like pieces appeared around the original spot. I separated the fish and then took the photo to the pet store where they immediately said, "oh that's definitely ich" and proceeded to sell me the chemicals to treat. Being Sun night, I panicked and dosed the tank (also kept Molly in a netted tank inside tank). He began improving immediately BUT has since developed a white mouth. Everything is now pointing to Columnaris additionally. I am concerned on so many levels. I do not like treating for Ich with the chemicals, but I started and feel like I should not switch to salt (also I have catfish). But now what if he has Columnaris too? The medication he's on won't treat for that. Do I now need to give antibiotics? I have taken the carbon out of my two filters and am doing regular changes (now on day 4 of Ich chemicals). ALL of my other fish are just fine! I test my levels daily with drop kits and all levels are normal.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I am very new to this.
-Have had the fish in question for 3 months
- Parameters: all normal- tested with drop kits. Temp 78.
-Tank was cycled in June of this year. Heavily planted.
- Nothing new has been added- no fish-no temp change, NOTHING. I did take out 17 fry last week once they were big enough to give away. No change in diet
-Food is tropical flakes & some shrimp
-I do 20% weekly change with very little gravel vacuum.
THANK YOU!
I have two "alpha" males (one black molly and one platy) that chase and poke each other quite a bit. One day a large white spot appeared on my molly (see photo). I noticed the platy poking on that spot and thought it was from the fighting. Then, a spot appeared on the other side also. Then, crystal-like pieces appeared around the original spot. I separated the fish and then took the photo to the pet store where they immediately said, "oh that's definitely ich" and proceeded to sell me the chemicals to treat. Being Sun night, I panicked and dosed the tank (also kept Molly in a netted tank inside tank). He began improving immediately BUT has since developed a white mouth. Everything is now pointing to Columnaris additionally. I am concerned on so many levels. I do not like treating for Ich with the chemicals, but I started and feel like I should not switch to salt (also I have catfish). But now what if he has Columnaris too? The medication he's on won't treat for that. Do I now need to give antibiotics? I have taken the carbon out of my two filters and am doing regular changes (now on day 4 of Ich chemicals). ALL of my other fish are just fine! I test my levels daily with drop kits and all levels are normal.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I am very new to this.
-Have had the fish in question for 3 months
- Parameters: all normal- tested with drop kits. Temp 78.
-Tank was cycled in June of this year. Heavily planted.
- Nothing new has been added- no fish-no temp change, NOTHING. I did take out 17 fry last week once they were big enough to give away. No change in diet
-Food is tropical flakes & some shrimp
-I do 20% weekly change with very little gravel vacuum.
THANK YOU!
