Mis Diagnosis Of ICH?? With PICS now!!
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Mis Diagnosis Of ICH?? With PICS now!!
Hi,
I had originally thought that my puffer had ich. However, its been 7 days now and all the same white dots on his fin are still there. Last time i checked i thought my otos had contracted the ich but on further examination it was just air bubbles from my airstone strip. So 7 days and the exact same white spots. there are 6+ on his right fin 1 on his top fin and 1 on his left fin. When I bought him, he was struggling alot while inside the net and out of the water.. Would this cause any damage to his fins and cause white dots to appear? I'm still keeping him on the heat and salt treatment with melafix and pimafix. did 2 water changes already and going to do one again tomorrow. I just want to know if there are any other explanations to white dots on fin. It seems that these dots didnt fall off and and no other fish have it at the moment thanks again oh any my tank parameters are ok. 0 ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate.
thanks
I had originally thought that my puffer had ich. However, its been 7 days now and all the same white dots on his fin are still there. Last time i checked i thought my otos had contracted the ich but on further examination it was just air bubbles from my airstone strip. So 7 days and the exact same white spots. there are 6+ on his right fin 1 on his top fin and 1 on his left fin. When I bought him, he was struggling alot while inside the net and out of the water.. Would this cause any damage to his fins and cause white dots to appear? I'm still keeping him on the heat and salt treatment with melafix and pimafix. did 2 water changes already and going to do one again tomorrow. I just want to know if there are any other explanations to white dots on fin. It seems that these dots didnt fall off and and no other fish have it at the moment thanks again oh any my tank parameters are ok. 0 ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate.
thanks
Last edited by khoa.tran on Fri May 29, 2009 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
Anyone??
- katty
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 107
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- My Puffers: 1 Fahaka Puffer (Puffy), 1 Red Claw Crab (Crabby), 2 Gold Inca Snails (Jerry & Larry), 5 Goldfish (Frankie, Biggy, Koi, Orange, Tiny).
RIP. Lumpy & Spazzy (African Dwarf Frogs) - Location: WA, NV, CA
- Contact:
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
When my puffer supposedly had ich, I believe yunachin told me that sometimes they have these white spots, due to bacteria, that are harmless and go away on their own after a while. Is any of it on it's body or just it's fins?
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
No, none on the body just the fins. I'm beginning to think that its because he was struggling in the net. The previous owner picked him up and as soon as he was lifted in the air he went nuts in the net while in the air. I'm thinking that the spots were formed because he hurt his fins rather than Ich. Ich should already be fallen off and reproducing now but all dots are unchanged and no new ones on him or tank mates. If these dots were due to the net how long would it take to heal?
- katty
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:14 am
- My Puffers: 1 Fahaka Puffer (Puffy), 1 Red Claw Crab (Crabby), 2 Gold Inca Snails (Jerry & Larry), 5 Goldfish (Frankie, Biggy, Koi, Orange, Tiny).
RIP. Lumpy & Spazzy (African Dwarf Frogs) - Location: WA, NV, CA
- Contact:
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
I cant imagine that it would be from the net considering that the net shouldn't scratch or harm him even if he does throw a fit. When he was with the original owner, did you notice if he had these spots or did they appear after you took him home? If they are indeed wounds, melafix and pimafix should help cure them in no time. Usually, wounds aren't shaped like little white dots though.
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
crap.. I didnt notice if he had them. I doubt it though. well if its ich then i just need to continue the treatment. I guess I'm gonna continue for a month and see what happens.
- katty
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:14 am
- My Puffers: 1 Fahaka Puffer (Puffy), 1 Red Claw Crab (Crabby), 2 Gold Inca Snails (Jerry & Larry), 5 Goldfish (Frankie, Biggy, Koi, Orange, Tiny).
RIP. Lumpy & Spazzy (African Dwarf Frogs) - Location: WA, NV, CA
- Contact:
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
Well, like I said earlier, it could just be harmless bacteria that goes away on it's own after a while too since ich typically appears on the fish's body as well and not just the fins. Could you maybe ask the original owner if they noticed it before?
-
lilgirlkat
- Green Spotted Puffer
- Posts: 253
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 1:38 am
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
I doubt that treating him for ich would hurt him. I've been treating mine for a little over a week, and yes, spots have come and gone. He's looking a lot better.
If you're unsure, continue treatment. I'd rather do that then to have ich in my tank.
If you're unsure, continue treatment. I'd rather do that then to have ich in my tank.
- LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
Ich has a four-week life cycle. It can stick around for ages. Even after the cysts disappear, you must keep treating for a full month. So, I would not be at all surprised if it's still ich. I've had the same ich spots on a betta for five days now. Only about half have disappeared so far.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi

Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi

Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
Ya, the thing is that none of the spots dissapeared and its been there for 8 days now. I'm still going to continue the treatment to see if it will go away after a month or so
- katty
- Figure 8 Puffer
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:14 am
- My Puffers: 1 Fahaka Puffer (Puffy), 1 Red Claw Crab (Crabby), 2 Gold Inca Snails (Jerry & Larry), 5 Goldfish (Frankie, Biggy, Koi, Orange, Tiny).
RIP. Lumpy & Spazzy (African Dwarf Frogs) - Location: WA, NV, CA
- Contact:
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
Good luck!
Be sure to keep us updated and just keep an eye out on your puffer for any changes in behavior.
- LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
If you're treating with aquarium salt (is it a freshwater puffer?), the treatment won't be at all stressful, so I'd say go right on ahead. Can't hurt, will hopefully help!
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi

Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi

Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
Well its now the 10th day of the treatment. I lost an Oto my other two are still ok but the Abei (freshwater) still has the white dots on the exact same areas of his fins. I'm beginning to really think its not ich now. I will still continue the treatment though for about a month and see if it works. I'm just hoping these white dots will go away.
Re: Mis Diagnosis Of ICH??
I dont have a cam right now but tomorrow i will be heading back to my parents house and i could grab my camera then. I will try to post pics tomorrow night and see what you guys think. Thanks for your help.
