^Qwerty^

Anyone know what causes big white growth type things to appear on fish? I've looked up white spot, but that appears to be little spots, not much bigger than the end of a ball point pen.

My fish have what looks like big white growths on them, and their eyes appear to have gone/going as well.

I dispatched one of my big cat fish last night as it had no eyes left and was just spinning around at the top of the tank. Looks like the other is going the same way

Two other cat fish did exactly the same thing about 6 weeks ago.

cheers

Q

tonybooth

Sounds fungal (and serious) to me

T

TonyFlow

Yup - sounds fungal (but there are generally underlying problems which allow the fungii to take hold)

David Lock

Here is a fairly easy to read starting point.

http://www.bensfish.wanadoo.co.uk/fish%20diseases.htm

tonybooth

Agreed. Usually water conditions or recent introductions of new fish which were carrying the disease due to inadequate quarantine period.

T

pauld37

Doesn't sound good

BOB.T

I'd change some water for now untill some one comes up with a better plan, good luck

tonybooth

Salt bath is the answer until you have a proper diagnosis - 1tsp/gallon

T

^Qwerty^

TBH, I'm inclined to run the tank down, then give it a good clean out and start again.

I've had it up and running for over 3 years now without any major problems. I picked up white spot once, but dealt with that.

It was a shame about my cat fish, as I liked them. The one I pulled out last night still put up a good fight to the end.....

The tank is one of those Jewel ones, and the place where I bought it told me not to bother changing any of the main blue filters, just rinse one of them out every couple of months or so in some of the tank water. The only filter I do change is the thin cotton wool one at the top. I've also changed the carbon one once.

Wonder if this is where it's gone wrong.

TonyFlow

I have the 180 Juwel, and the 1st thing I did was buy and additional fluval external filter (OK, fluval may not be the best!), never had a problem with the tank, and stays crystal clear (even when I laps and dont change any water for 4+weeks). As a rule, I try to replace 25% of the water every 1 or 2 weeks.

And I do change the blue filters (prob once a year), and the carbon one every month or 2

OllyK

Not being funny, but did you not think to investigate this 6 weeks ago and take action to stop the infection spreading??

Sounds like a fungal infection - have a look for pictures on the web or in a reference book, failing that, catch one and take it to your local fish shop and ask for treatment. If at all possible quaratine the visibly affected fish and treat. Do a large water change in the main tank and treat that as well. Consider also a general conditioner to help the remaining fish. Also look to possible causes in the reduction of the health of the fish in the first place, have you been maintaing good water quality and regular water changes? Is your tank overstocked etc.

OllyK

I just upgraded the pump to the largest one that would fit. That coped nicely with a tank full of large and messy Chichlids. A failed thermostat in the heater finally did for them. Note to others - go for 2 smaller heaters rather 1 big one! Less likely to come down to fish soup in the morning that way

Oh and don't change ALL the blue filters in one go. Change 1 then change the other at the next water change and so on, otherwise you will remove all your hard won bio filtration. Juwel also do a Nitrate filter - pale yellowey / green which is well worth looking at as well.

^Qwerty^

No other fish were showing signs until about 2 days ago, so that's six weeks for something to live in the tank, but not affect any other fish.

It's deffo not over stocked atm either.

This BBS is more useful than my local store as well. I'll ask sooner next time.

OllyK

I've not restocked since the cooking incident due to moving house, but whenever anything died in the tank, I'd do a water change and consider some general treatment / conditioner. If you see signs that something is ill, get it out of the tank as soon as and treat it in isolation, but also put some treatment in the main tank to kill off any residual spores / infections.

Pics would help to make a more specific diagnosis, however, this may help.

TonyFlow

Sorry, should have said I only replace 1 of each type at a time!

OllyK