Fresh Water Fish Problem

[kevin34]

I have noticed that my rosy barb has some gray coloring on its sides and on top of its head. I am not sure if it is sick because it is still acting normal. The fish is probably about 2 years old and is in a tank with a fantail goldfish. I dont have a good test kit (just the strips that you dip in the water and change colors. No exact numbers).

 

[beth]

I really can't speak much to FW fish, but are scales actually missing? What are you feeding this fish, and how often?

 

[kevin34]

No scales seem to be missing. I am feeding the fish Nutrafin Max Goldfish Flake Food. The food is for the fantail goldfish I have but it says that other freshwater fish can eat it too. It is still eating and swimming actively.

 

[beth]

Have you noticed aggression? I would improve that diet considerably by adding variety, to include some frozen foods. Also, try adding zoecon to a meaty frozen meal 1x a day, and feed the fish at least 2x a day. Better to feed less more often, then one big meal.

 

[kevin34]

I do feed my fish twice a day. There hasnt been any agression between the rosy barb and the fantail. What kinds of frozen food would you recomend for these 2 fish? Also do these gray areas look like any kind of disease?

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by Kevin34
I do feed my fish twice a day. There hasnt been any agression between the rosy barb and the fantail. What kinds of frozen food would you recomend for these 2 fish? Also do these gray areas look like any kind of disease?
Grey patches in fresh water are generally a fungus. First, get a master test kit. Test your water paramters. This is usually caused by poor water quality. Definately check your ammonia. These fish are among the few that can live with goldfish. Goldfish throw alot of ammonia that is not tollerted by most fish. Test the water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Post those readings for us and we will go from there.

 

[kevin34]

I just took a realy close look at the fish and it looks like some scales ARE acrually missing. Another thing that I noticed is the areas with the missing scales are a little lighter in color than the rest of its body with the light off. But when I turn the light on and wait a minute the grayness appears. I dont know if this is common but it seems very bizzare to me.

 

[sepulatian]

Have you checked the ammonia? They will often scrape their bodies on the gravel or decorations because the ammonia burns their gills. This irritates them so they scrape, that will cause the scales to flake off and allow infections to set in. Check your readings and let us know what they are.

 

[kevin34]

My test strips dont even test for ammonia, but the nitrates are high, the water is very hard, and the alkalinity was low. Other than that everything seemed ok.

 

[tall_90]

i agree it does sound like fungus.

 

[quaos]

Water change highly recommended. I would definately invest in some good testing equipment. Hope he's okay

 

[sepulatian]

You definately need a liquid test kit. Water parameters need to be monitored or your fish will become unhealthy. I would start off by doing a pretty good sized water change.

 

[hot883]

I moved this thread in here because this is a sw forum NOT fw. It will not become a fw board so the thread does not belong in the disease section of a sw forum. Barry