White Spot?

[Tommy Saville]

A couple of very small white spots have appeared on the tail fin of 2 of my Discus. Probably "ichthy" white spot? What's the best treatment? Water temp. 86. I haven't added any fish or plants for at least 16 weeks. Apart from these recent spots, the fish look in excellent condition. 50-gallon planted tank. Filtration over polyfleece pads and ceramic noodles.
By the way, the 12 Cardinal tetras in the same tank don't show any spots, and in my experience tetras are very prone to ichthy. Maybe it is something else?

[aalbina]

Although certainly possible - Ich is pretty rare at 86 degrees. It's very difficult for the reproductive cycle of the parasite to survive those temperatures. I would not treat - just keep on eye on it. Sometimes discus get some white spots in their fins. Could be nipping by other fish etc. Usually they go away.

Adam

[Tommy Saville]

Although certainly possible - Ich is pretty rare at 86 degrees. It's very difficult for the reproductive cycle of the parasite to survive those temperatures. I would not treat - just keep on eye on it. Sometimes discus get some white spots in their fins. Could be nipping by other fish etc. Usually they go away.

Adam

Thanks Adam....I live in hope ! Don't want to do anything that will upset my filter, which I have finally got cycled and giving crystal clear water ! We used to use Quinine sulphate to cure ich in "normal" tropical tanks, but modern Discus are much more delicate.

[Tommy Saville]

There's a Esha medication called Exit (do you have it in USA?) which is for treating ich. Contains Methylene Blue, Malachite Green, and Ethacridine lactate. If the problem continues, do you think that is a safe medication for Discus?

[aalbina]

I'm familiar with meth blue and malachite green but not the last one. The first two are safe and indicated if it is ich - I would not treat unless the spots spread to the body of the fish. Ich is hard to misdiagnose - the spots will be all over the fish not just the fins. I would watch and wait.

Adam


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[Tommy Saville]

I'm familiar with meth blue and malachite green but not the last one. The first two are safe and indicated if it is ich - I would not treat unless the spots spread to the body of the fish. Ich is hard to misdiagnose - the spots will be all over the fish not just the fins. I would watch and wait.

Adam


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OK, I'll keep watch. Thanks.

[Tommo]

There's a Esha medication called Exit (do you have it in USA?) which is for treating ich. Contains Methylene Blue, Malachite Green, and Ethacridine lactate. If the problem continues, do you think that is a safe medication for Discus?

I agree that it's unlikely to be white spot. Discus can sometimes get a white spot(s) normally on the rays of the caudal and pectoral fins. These 'spots' are usually larger than those seen with white spot disease (Ichthyophthirius) and as aalbina states above normally go away.

Waterlife products are very safe and efficient IMO and are widely available in the UK. Also they do not affect the biosystem. Protozin (or Cuprazin at half dosage - be carefull if you haven't used this before in fresh water) is a medication for protozoans and also white spot and fungus.

I well remember buying quinine in the 1960s for treating white spot and having to turn the aquarium lights off during treatment!

[Tommy Saville]

I agree that it's unlikely to be white spot. Discus can sometimes get a white spot(s) normally on the rays of the caudal and pectoral fins. These 'spots' are usually larger than those seen with white spot disease (Ichthyophthirius) and as aalbina states above normally go away.

Waterlife products are very safe and efficient IMO and are widely available in the UK. Also they do not affect the biosystem. Protozin (or Cuprazin at half dosage - be carefull if you haven't used this before in fresh water) is a medication for protozoans and also white spot and fungus.

I well remember buying quinine in the 1960s for treating white spot and having to turn the aquarium lights off during treatment!

I'll get some Protozin in, just in case ! Hey, you're nearly as old as me !

[camuth8]

Water changes, water changes! They'll go away after a few days of water changes.

[Tommy Saville]

Water changes, water changes! They'll go away after a few days of water changes.

I've been doing water changes every other day, 25% or 50%. The tank is 210 litres and I only have 100 litres of aged water available every day.

[Tommy Saville]

0 blue discus.jpg0 blue discus.jpg
Ive tried to attach a photo. Maybe too small to see the spot..

[Tommy Saville]

0 blue discus.jpg

[Tommo]

0 blue discus.jpg

Yes seen this before - appears to be on the caudal ray. Also seen this on Angels - don't know what it is but it's not white spot. Your fish look healthy and water appears ok - I'd leave things alone if I was you. Don't add any medicants just keep up your normal tank maintenance.

Any of our disease 'experts' any opinions of what this is?

[Eddie]

I'm not a disease expert but Andrew Soh mentioned this in his books as encysted bacteria and completely harmless.

[Tommy Saville]

I'm not a disease expert but Andrew Soh mentioned this in his books as encysted bacteria and completely harmless.

Blimey ! What a relief !!