White growth on platy - please help?

[Shabslikesfish]

1~What type of fish is afflicted? In addition, please describe what is wrong with the fish to the best of your ability (i.e. cotton like growth, bloated, etc.).
A - Blue male platy, had tail nibbled 9 days ago, today noticed small white lump on tail end of body (see pic). Also not swimming with any purpose - moving very slowly, staying at top of tank, appears to be gasping / rapid breathing. Eating well nonetheless
2~What are your tank parameters (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, temp, pH)? Please give exact values.
A - Ammonia - 1.2
Nitrites - 0.2
Nitrates - 0
Temp - 24C
pH - 7.5
3~ How large is the tank? How long has the tank been set up?
A - 60 litre, set up 2 weeks ago using Nutrafin Cycle to kickstart
4~What type of filtration are you using? Please give the name and number (i.e. Fluval 304) and amount of gph if known.
A - Marina Slim S15
5~How many fish are in the tank? What kinds of fish are they and what are their current sizes?
A - 6 neon tetra, 4 guppies, 2 mollies, 2 platys, 2 clown loach
6~When is the last time you did a water change and vacuum the gravel? How often do you do this? How much water do you remove at a time?
A - Not done first change yet
7~How long have you had the fish? If the fish is new, how did you acclimate it/them?
A - fish added 9 days ago, all other fish perfectly healthy
8~Have you added anything new to the tank--decor, new dechlorinator, new substrate, etc.?
A - No
9~What kind of food have you been feeding your fish, have you changed their diet recently?
A - No changes, using Nutrafin Max flake food recommended by lfs.

We realise the Nitrite value seems a bit high, any advice on correcting this also appreciated.
many thanks, Sharon & Andy

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Welcome to the site. It sounds like your tank is in the process of cycling. The very first thing you need to do is a large water change using a good decholinator (I like prime) to get your ammonia and nitrite down. In high numbers they can be very harmful to your fish. Your fish is most likely being stressed by this. Stressed fish are more susceptible to disease. I will posts some links for you to read on cycling.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/artic...g-but-I-already-have-fish-What-now/Page2.html
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/fish-in-cycling-step-over-into-the-dark-side-176446.html
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html

 

[Shabslikesfish]

Thanks for this - would a large water change be 50%?
Should I continue to add the Nutrafin Cycle weekly for maintenance?
Do I need to treat the actual illness or whatever it is or let nature take its course with the correcting of the parameters?
Appreciate the info, thanks- its all a lot more complicated than Seapets would have you believe...

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Thanks for this - would a large water change be 50%?
Should I continue to add the Nutrafin Cycle weekly for maintenance?
Do I need to treat the actual illness or whatever it is or let nature take its course with the correcting of the parameters?
Appreciate the info, thanks- its all a lot more complicated than Seapets would have you believe...

Start off with 50%, wait half and hour or so then test again. If ammonia or nitrites are over 0.25ppm do another one until they are 0.25ppm or lower. There is no need to add any cycling products. Most of them have the wrong type of bacteria in them anyway. All you need is a decholinator and a bucket/siphon for tank maintenance. I haven't had much experience with fish disease so hopefully someone else will come along and help with treatment. Most pet store don't inform customers because they are out to sell as many fish as possible or are ill-informed themselves.