Spot on Dorsal fin? New Problem!

drstratton · Oct 25, 2015

My purple firefish has a spot on its dorsal fin. The strange thing is that you can see it on both sides. They have been in QT since Oct 2nd. They are on their 2nd dose of Prazi and then I will treat with Copper Power or TTM I haven't completely decided yet. Is this possibly Ich, it's the first sign I've seen of it? I've attached a picture, not the best but hopefully someone will know! Thank you!

Purple%20Firefish%20Dorsal%20Fin%2010-25-15.jpg

melypr1985 · Oct 25, 2015

It might be the picture quality but is he beat up some? It looks like his tail fin is ragged. I see the single spot your talking about and it could be ick but if it gets bigger it could be the beginnings of Lympho. I suggest TTM if you have the tanks for it as it's easier on the fish and a lot faster than copper. It will take care of the ick if that's what it is.

drstratton · Oct 25, 2015

Thanks! It's the picture quality! He's actually in very good condition. Very active and great appetite. I'm not familiar with Lympho? I would prefer to do TTM.

melypr1985 · Oct 25, 2015

Lympho is like herpes or a cold sore. Mostly harmless and it goes away on it's own. Many fish cary the virus but it doesn't effect all of them or even most. I wouldnt worry about that. Treat it like it's ick and do the TTM, that will take care of it no problem. If it is ick, its not very advanced.

Glad to know its just the picture, cause man! That looked bad lol.

drstratton · Oct 25, 2015

Is it contagious was my next question! Thanks for answering that for me.

He wouldn't hold still and I was having to zoom in with my S5. I just need to teach them to pose when they see the camera come out

! Time to dust off my other camera, haven't used it in a long time.

Thanks again!!!

melypr1985 · Oct 25, 2015

drstratton said:
Is it contagious was my next question! Thanks for answering that for me.

He wouldn't hold still and I was having to zoom in with my S5. I just need to teach them to pose when they see the camera come out ! Time to dust off my other camera, haven't used it in a long time.

Thanks again!!!

No problem. If it gets bigger and starts looking like cauliflower, then just start giving him vitamins like selcon in his food to help him out. Let me know how he does k?

drstratton · Oct 25, 2015

melypr1985 said:
No problem. If it gets bigger and starts looking like cauliflower, then just start giving him vitamins like selcon in his food to help him out. Let me know how he does k?

I actually just started using Selcon! Hopefully it will help him fight it off! I'll keep you posted!!!

4FordFamily · Oct 25, 2015

Actually to me it looks like it may be ich but it's hard to tell. Fire fish are not path yearly susceptible (at least rarely in an established tank with good water parameters do they succomb) but it could be lymph. Hard to tell from pic. Lymph is largely harmless.

Pete polyp · Oct 25, 2015

Looks like lymph to me which is basically a scab

drstratton · Oct 25, 2015

Thank you! Hopefully if it's Lymph it will disappear quickly! He will be getting the Ich treatment regardless, so glad that I planned from the beginning to QT!

Pete polyp · Oct 25, 2015

You said it's active and eating well. 8 wouldn't use an ich treatment on it.

4FordFamily · Oct 25, 2015

Pete polyp said:
You said it's active and eating well. 8 wouldn't use an ich treatment on it.

I disagree many fish can harbor ich in their gills and infect your whole tank without a single symptom prior

Pete polyp · Oct 25, 2015

3FordFamily said:
I disagree many fish can harbor ich in their gills and infect your whole tank without a single symptom prior

It's in a qt...

4FordFamily · Oct 25, 2015

Pete polyp said:
It's in a qt...

Right and when it leaves qt for the DT it can reinfect all of the fish in the DT. Been there and done that. No symptoms in qt whatsoever. Made that mistake many times.

melypr1985 · Oct 25, 2015

Pete polyp said:
You said it's active and eating well. 8 wouldn't use an ich treatment on it.

He plans to do TTM which is a very good ich treatment without copper. It doesn't hurt to do it and it could very well hurt alot if he doesn't. To Err on the side of caution is always smart.

drstratton · Oct 25, 2015

Thank you for all of the input. I'm anxious to get my fish in their new home as I'm sure they will like it much more than the QT, but I will be treating for Ich, I've read to many horror stories. I'm willing to take the time now, so that I don't have to let my tank go fallow for 70 or more days! I still haven't decided whether I will do TTM or use Copper Power! Right now I'm leaning towards TTM. If I place them in 5g buckets with maybe 3-4g of water, will that work okay or should I have them in more water. Thanks!!!

drstratton · Oct 25, 2015

melypr1985 said:
He plans to do TTM which is a very good ich treatment without copper. It doesn't hurt to do it and it could very well hurt alot if he doesn't. To Err on the side of caution is always smart.

LOL ~ She!!!

Pete polyp · Oct 25, 2015

drstratton said:
LOL ~ She!!!

It gets both you every time lol

melypr1985 · Oct 25, 2015

drstratton said:
LOL ~ She!!!

Sorry!! I should know that! my bad.
Just make sure you have circulation in the buckets and make sure you monitor the ammonia very carefully with the ammonia alert badge.

drstratton · Oct 25, 2015

melypr1985 said:
Sorry!! I should know that! my bad.
Just make sure you have circulation in the buckets and make sure you monitor the ammonia very carefully with the ammonia alert badge.

I will definitely do that! Thanks again!