Spots appeared on my Flame Dwarf Gourami

[erik7]

Im not sure what it is, and Im not sure if it was on the fish when i got it from the fish store.. but on only one of my flame dwarf's i see these big white spots. From what I've seen, it doesn't LOOK like Ich, but I cant be certain as this is my first tank. My other flame gourami is fine, as well as my 6 zebra danios are fine as well.

29 Gallon tank, set up for about 5 weeks now.

Here are some pics, sorry they're bad, but its all I have. You can see it best on the first pic.

Thanks.

[Zagz]

What are your water parameters? Your tank may not be cycled yet. It is hard to tell from the pics but it could be a fungus or bacterial infection or columnaris. Do the white spots seem cottony, or like a film? I'd start out with a pwc and get a liquid test kit if you don't have one. Look closely at the white spots and see if you can describe what they look like a bit better. It isn't ich, ich is small white spots that look like grains of salt.

[Zagz]

http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Diseases1.htm


This site may help you in diagnosis.

[erik7]

Tests just finished. Sadly, I do have ammonia in my tank.

My tank did finish cycling, ammonia/nitrites 0, with nitrAtes growing. Now I have ammonia and nitrites. Should I just let it go and hope it drops soon? I got my tank set up on 8/26, so its been over a month, and like I said, it did finish cycling.

I did buy 2 flames, and one of them died, but since the other was absolutely fine, i figured that it was just sick to begin with, so i bought another, and now he has this. I dunno if its the LFS, or what. The one flame is doing absolutely fine, eating great, not hiding, active, etc.

Let me go inspect it some more, and ill be back.

Thanks for your reply

[erik7]

They're only on his left side. nothing on the other side of him.

They dont seem cottony or anything. It's really just looks like a discoloration.

[Zagz]

Do a water change to get the ammonia & nitrites down. It may be the lfs you never know. Are their tanks clean and the fish seem healthy?

[erik7]

Yes, their fish seem just fine.

thanks for that website. Of those listed.. I'd have to say:

6) Dull colour (mucus), detached skin, fraying of the fin.
Mucus Hyperproduction.
This called by caused by Slime disease (parasite, meds available), poor water conditioners (high Nitrogenous wastes), fFukes, stress.

[Menagerie]

Should I just let it go and hope it drops soon?

No, you need to do a PWC immediately. A one month old tank is very young and the cycle may not be done. A tank is not mature for at least six months.

[Zagz]

Keep up with the water changes and testing the water. Keep an eye on him and with good water conditions he may just recuperate by himself. Good luck!

[Menagerie]

Here are a couple of other sites to check out to confirm what you think it is:
http://www.aquatronicsonline.com/hobbyist/hobbyist3.htm
http://www.aqualink.com/disease/sdisease.html
http://fish.mongabay.com/diseases.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubW.../fishdisho.htm
http://www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html

[Menagerie]

You could treat with Pimafix, at only 1 tsp/5 gallons, you can make it work. Add a touch of aquarium salt and you'll be all set. Good luck with the PWC and keep us updated.

[erik7]

Heres an update:

Good news! I did an initial 50% WC. Tested water the next day, ammonia at .50. I probably should of done a WC, but didn't.

Today.. ammonia at 0, nitrites at .25, with nitrAtes at .10 - .20. So my tank is almost complete its cycle.

Now about my sick gourami. With advice of several people here on the chat room (thank you!), I did 2 treatments.

1. Added salt. 2 tablespoons, in with the 50% WC i did.

2. Added a mixture of Melafix and Pimafix. Today is day 3 of this mixture.

The good news?

He's looking better. Most spots on his side are gone, there is some discoloration above his head, and his lump by his mouth is gone and he is feeding fine.

They both hide a lot, but I was told thats normal while medicating.

So was it columnaris, like I suspected, or was it ammonia poisioning? I might never know, but all I know is that my cycle is just around the corner of being complete and I thank EVERYONE for all their help with this matter. Things are looking very good and I am so happy with the wonderful community here on AA.

THANK YOU ALL!