White spots on GBRs only

**Fish from Filly** · 06-01-2012, 02:45 PM

So I noticed a tiny white growth on the male german blue ramabout 2 weeks ago. It had been growing slowly so I decided to set up my QT tank in case it got worse. Well, it now looks like all 3 have the white spots although his is still the worst. Last night, one of the females died.

Can anyone please tell me if this can spread to other fish or strictly a GBR thing? I have tetracycline and will treat the GBR's in separate tank once cycled

Background:
I have read this is common for GBR and is caused by poor water conditions and high nitrates. My nitrates were never higher than 40 and I had been doing weekly water changes although the water was somewhat cloudy. I approached fish store and they said to lessen feeding and change carbon (which I hadn't done in months!) so I did and the water cleared up perfectly!

The male constantly chased the 2 females and the smaller less colorful female was chased even more by the other female. I believe this caused a lot of stress althoguh it was the "prettier" female who died...

My parameters are 0,0,20-40. PH is a bit high at 7.8 but read that they could adjust and was better to keep them in constant 7.8 rather than messing with chemicals and peat moss constantly.

Stocking in signature line is accurate less one GBR :(

**Gouramifreak42** · 06-01-2012, 02:51 PM

Did you add anything to the tank recently? It COULD be ich, and if it is, buy some ich treatment medicine and turn the heater up about 2-4 degrees.

**DeadSulphurhead** · 06-02-2012, 12:27 AM

You didn't tell us a fairly important factor, what is the tank size
Also, what filter do you have

Carbon pretty much does nothing but remove visible impurities, which may or may not be a health risk to your fish.

If the spots grow in size, it's not ich, and you're probably looking at a type of fungus.
If the white spots are all the size of a grain of a salt, and spreading, you have ich.
If it is ich, everything in the tank has it at some point in it's life cycle.
If it's a fungus, start researching and diagnose, it may be contagious.
I personally have never dealt with fungus though..

GBR are fairly sensitive little guys and I wouldn't doubt that they are showing signs of illness before the others. Your ph is 7.8, leave it as is, try and get your Nitrates below 20 with PWCs. If you change with buckets, stir the conditioner in the bucket viciously to help it out. The more you stir (creating lots of bubbles), the easier you will make it on your guys, make sure you wait until the temp drops to the same as the tank.

Is there any evidence of the agizzis beating the rams up
If they're spawning, it could be causing the GBR some unneeded stress.
Depending on the tank size, I question the stock..

If you do diagnose ICh, let us know, don't go ahead with gouramifreak advice!

**Fish from Filly** · 06-02-2012, 08:21 PM

Tank is 55 gallon. The apistos did show aggression toward GBRs but only when they are in their territory. They dont have any spots and actually, hate to say it, but now that the one female passed, everyone is much calmer and nobody chases anyone...

Attaching pic of GBR. What do you think it is? Will tetracycline cure it? Thanks for all your help

**DeadSulphurhead** · 06-02-2012, 08:55 PM

Doesn't look like ich to me...

Like I said, I haven't personally dealt with fungus before.

Maybe post a thread in "Fish Diseases" and label as GBR fungus.
Some one may have conquered the same problem you have.
Post that picture too, maybe a couple more.

**mwomack** · 08-01-2012, 05:58 PM

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but my GBR's get stress induced ich. If something is up with the parameters, or just issues between fish, it will stress them out. It only affects my rams, although typically I catch it right away. It's happened a couple times, once when we first got them, and a couple with the addition of new fish (from my tanks, so I know they didn't have ich). I haven't had to treat them with meds, just did a good water change or moved the offending fish! Good luck.

**homemadepopcorn** · 08-01-2012, 06:22 PM

It could be columnaris although I'd expect to see some white spots on their mouths as well. Given that it hasnt spread that rapidly as its been three weeks, it probably isnt columnaris.

If it is fungus, you could try various fungus medications. I've had the best success with Triple Sulfa by API although I had to go through two rounds of treatments. At this point, clean water is your best option until you get a hold of some medications.

**Fish from Filly** · 08-29-2012, 07:20 PM

I showed pic to lfs and he thought it was columnaris . BUT - great news!!! He is all better after many weeks of water changes etc. Thanks for all your help!