Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hi all,

i was wondering if anyone knows if this is a fungal disease? i have lost a number of fish and need to address the situation. i only lost the smallest ones so its possible it was from being starved and bullied by the larger ones. it may also be possible that the larger ones are more able to fight off a disease. stocking density is low so not an issue. water quality is good. i have a feeling a salt bath may do the trick. other then the appearance they look very healthy. its not like their lethargic on the bottom or anything. just don't want to introduce any more stock before its addressed.

any thoughts

sorry, dunno

just had a quick look and it could be viral or bacterial. it could also be just the natural colour of the fish. its hard to tell. they could also be sores from bullying.

what every it is i might as well try a salt bath.

any recommendations?

Regardless BF... salt it.... never heard of anyone having problems because they did

3ppt?

Are you isolating from the rest or going to salt the whole tank?

Any plants attached?

Thats a nice looking goldie BF, I'm not sure what the problem in the pic is though, is that white sky reflections?

It looks like it might have a spinal disorder which can be caused by the fish inbreeding.

no its not and thats the problem. it looks like a milky coloured sore. hence i think it could be the result of bullying.

i will treat them tomorrow and see if it clears up.

its possible its just normal pigmentation i only just noticed as some fish died so i went looking for symptoms of disease.

i'll let you know how the treatment goes. i will be using a spare tank to do it so plants won't be effected.

If no plants and an isolation tank, then you could probably go to 6ppt if need be...

Looked like a bit of flex (columnaris) to me. So many varients of this bacteria tho hey. ALL work at different speeds... usually check system for rotting food and try get the temp below 25degC during treatment to slow down it's growth.
Key thing to remember is fungus will only grow on dead or seriously damaged areas of a fish.... bacteria grow anywhere. The flex bacteria is basically one that rots uneaten food and live fish if they ever get vunerable when it's in water in large numbers.
Have you guys considered making bulk pimafix up? It shows promise as a flex treatment.

Hey Don how does one make pimafix out of the west indian bay tree?



better yet why would someone use rum to make cologne=(bay rum)?

Good call. I am having trouble getting around the fact you peoples eat your fish lol.
I am certainly not trying to assasinate you all!
Will ask around a few aquaculture people and see what they say although I am expecting to be asked 'wot sort of hippy crap you goin on about boy?' a few times lol.

It looks more like a scaled zone, it seems like the skin colour without the scales and surface skin. It could be done by scraping.

Fungus is easy to spot, it looks rotten and like wool or cotton stuff on the blistered spot.

Do you have a blue bucket to put the fish in with water, try to shade to stop light reflection? Take a pic then, it will be easier to identify.
For your dead fish, i think it could be a bacteria entering on a scraped zone. Do your fish still eat when they seem sick?

To ID between fungus and bacteria you do often need a microscope.
Yea I know, but seriously.