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Parameters: Ammonia 0, Nitrite, 0, Nitrate 10, PH 7.6. My Ryukin had one raised white spot on the tip ofone tail fin. It was larger than ich spots. I dosed with Rid-Ich plus. It has been about two weeks since the spot showed up. After Rid-Ich, the spot disappeared, but now at that same spot is a pinkish area. It has not spread or gotten worse, and there is no deterioration of the fin. The fish is eating and acting normally. I'm currently using Melafix. Any help would be appreciated.http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/countrybump1 I'm not sure how to get the link to work. Maybe this one: http://photos.yahoo.com/countrybump1

Last edited by Caviar at 11-Feb-2005 16:50

You need to edit your preferences in Yahoo to allow the pictures to be public for that particular Album.

I'd like to see it before I comment. How is he otherwise?

Hi Cory_Di. I edited the photo settings. It isn't a great pic but it will give you an idea. She's doing fine, eating, and acting normally. The Melafix has had no effect so far and I'm on day 4 of that.

Describe the lump itself.

Does it look like cauliflower?

Is it smooth?

Does it look like it has blood vessels?

Growth rate? Fast, slow, not at all?

Color - What is the base color or primary color and any secondary colors?

Cory, The white spot/lump is gone. The residual area is milky white with pink blotches, just at the end of the fin. There are no red veins like septicemia. The area is smooth and has not spread. I didn't remove the fish as I thought it would respond to Rid-Ich, and there is another goldie in with it. The Rid-Ich Plus did get rid of the lump/raised spot. Could that lump have burst and caused the current problem? She is doing fine, not bothered in the least with it. Eating, active, normal behavior. It doesn't seem to be contagious as the other goldie is fine after 2 weeks. I did look in Doc Johnson's book to no avail.

Well, the ingredients in Rid Ich are midly anti-bacterial.

Pimafix is stronger than Melafix and the two can be combined together, according to the manufacturer. I have done this with my goldies who get chronic tail bleeding (after catching it in filter intake ). I find the Pimafix does better to heal the fin and have sometimes just used this alone. But in worst case, prior to using any other meds, I have combined the two.

Keeping your nitrates below 40ppm will be key, but it sounds like you are doing good water changes.

Do you salt the tank? I don't recommend keeping it salted as different things become immune. However, if you don't have it salted now, consider the salt solution recommended in Doc Johnsons book on page 63-64 - a 0.3% mix. This amounts to 1 Tbsp/gal. However, it really needs to be dissolved slowly. He recommends 1/3 of the predissolved mix every 12 hours. I'm going to suggest putting it into a disposable glad container like the one I use in my tank periodically, with holes poked in the top. Make sure the sharp edges point inward. You fill it, sink it and drop it to its side where there is good water flow. Make sure the holes are good sized, but just small enough so they can't get to the salt. For this method it must be the rock type salt like Doc Wellfish. Flake type must be predissolved outside of the tank as it dissolves quickly, then you dribble in the solution over 2 days or so. The method I use is even slower. If the fish isn't dying from an affliction, I don't see a need to rush the salt. Let them acclimate slowly.

Here's my set up with one more pic to follow in a second post.



Cory_Di attached this image:

Here's the second one. BTW - that container is one of several I purchased as a pack and it holds about a half cup. I was using a lower dose (7 Tbsp for my 36 gallon tank). This was based on the Doc Wellfish carton suggestion of 1 Tbsp per 5 gallons. I've used larger containers and you want to do that with the more you use so more of the salt has contact with the water inside the container. It takes several days, like 3-4, with this method.

I should add that the reason I'm suggesting the 0.3% solution is in the event some other parasite is involved, but for the most part, the Rid Ich Plus should take care of it. In any event, any time there is an open wound that has blood or blood vessels involved, it is good to have salt in the water to keep good osmotic balance in the fish. They lose electrolytes through wounds.

Cory_Di attached this image:


Last edited by Cory_Di at 12-Feb-2005 09:21[/font]

Thank you, Cory_Di. I do a partial water change and gravel vac on Wednesdays, and on Sundays I clean everything and do another water change. My params hold nicely. I'll follow your advice with the salt, but I'm not sure my lfs carries Pima-Fix. I'll call them. Thanks again.