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I noticed today that my Opaline Gourami has several marks on his gills on one side of his body (center of body between eye and dark blue marks that distinguish the Opaline). He usually hangs in the back of the tank so I may not have noticed these marks that could have been there for awhile. There are about three, consecutive roundish marks. They are off white to grey in color and look a bit scabby.

Back in November, I lost my Clown Loaches in one tank and Cories in another tank. Then several of my rainbows and tetras came up with the marks described above, but they did not seem effected (and none died. After a series of misdiagnoses, someone locally suggested that this was probably a Bacterial infection (Flexibactor). I treated both tanks with Maricyn for 5 days and all the fish looked healthy. Both tanks have looked great for the past three weeks and I thought problems were behind me. Now the Gourami makes me wonder if I diagnosed/treated correctly. Is there another likely illness instead of bacterial? Should I try Maricyn again? Is there danger of the bacteria adjusting to the Maricyn, leaving me SOL?

Both tanks are 0 ammonia and nitrites. One tanks nitrate is around 10. The other is around 20. ph in one tank is currently at 7.0 and the other is 7.2. Temps at 78 in both tanks. All fish are acting normal, eating well and looking healthy (including the Opaline and my new Cloan Loaches). In early December, I began to take steps to prevent cross contamination. I also soaked all equipment that enters the tanks with Maricyn-treated water (even my Python). Specific types of fish in my tanks are listed in my profile. Any help is appreciated.

Update. I awoke this morning to find my Angelfish dead. I'd only had him for a month. He had been hovering at the top of the tank the past week, but I didn't see any other signs of distress. Saw no unusual markings on his scales. Any ideas?

Anyone?

Well, I'll take a shot at this considering my Sisters tank had the same problem.

For treatment we ended up using Coppersafe, Anti-bacterial food should also be used.

The best I could come up with was FurunCulosis, (Aeromonas)
http://www.adelaideaquariums.com.au/faqs/disease/showdis.asp?DiseaseID=22

Which was the last sign shown, the treatment with coppersafe was because the fish would "Flash" which pointed to a parasite in the gills causing the secondary problem above. Not sure of the parasite tho, most aren't visible, possibly flukes or trichodina.

If you are going to use coppersafe, then make sure you have a copper test kit that tests for Chelated Copper..

The symptoms were far more evident in larger fish then in smaller fish like Neons that would get a grey spot, then the skin would almost fall off.

Unfortunately with most diseases they are difficult to diagnose.

EDIT: I just noticed this time there was no markings on him, then I could only guess the parasite is still there and it would be gill related, it's doubtful you still have the fish to check his gills for damage..

Last edited by Wizzard~Of~Ozz at 01-Jan-2005 01:24