white spots on my fish

[dipfish]

hi, i've had my tank for about 5 months. My tank is only 20 gallons but my fish till now have been doing great. Last month i noticed the amonia level was high so i've been trying to clean the filter and change 20% of the water every few days. My tanks constantly has algea on the bottom and today i noticed small white spots on most of my fish's fins. I assume this is caused by the high amonia level. How can I treat my fish? and How can i get the amonia level down? please help me!!!!!

 

[beth]

The spots on your fish are a disease process, and, though the ammonia can indirectly contribute to the disease, it is not the cause of it.
How many fish do you have in that tank, and what kind? What is your filtration? Describe your tank, type, filters, and give us the exact ammonia and nitrite readings.

 

[dipfish]

All my fish are small. I have a clownfish, dottyback, 3 damsels, a catfish, and a shrimp.
The last time I checked my amonia it was a little in the high range (i'm at work and don't have the specific numbers), the nitrate was alright, but the nitrite was 2.0 (i think).
The specific gravity was nomal, temp is 82, and the pH and salinity were perfectly nomal as well.
As i said before, my tank is only 20 gallons. I've been trying to change 20% of the water as much as i could.
thank you so much for your help!!!!
marie

 

[a&m aggie 04']

has something died in your tank recently w/o you knowing?
have you added a large load of fish at one time, recently??
Added and rock to tank???