Ouch!!!!

[Dan Woodland]

A guy I know has some Chuco micropthalmus and a Caquetaia umbrifera with a serious problem that can be and has been deadly – for his fish. See the pictures below. I've received opinions from others but I wanted to ask a broader audience if anyone else has seen it and/or any known cures. I understand it’s not easy to diagnose via the web but I thought I would give it a try.

The parameters in this case are:

Pea Gravel substrate
Driftwood
Frequent water changes
Both fish in the same tank
C. micropthalmus recently added to the tank after being shipped in
pH 6.8
Two other groups from the same larger group of C. microps are not showing any outward signs.
Symptoms began showing within 7 days or receipt

disease4.jpg

disease3.jpg

disease2.jpg

disease1.jpg

[Bas Pels]

Although you write 'frequent water changes' I'd guess the wqater is not OK. Perhaps the driftwood ditd raise the amount of organic matter in the watrer and the low pH (at least low for the Chuco) deminised their resistance towards bacteria. Remember, chuco vcomes from very clear, little organic matter waters

The bacteria invaded the chuco, increased in numbers and managed to invade the Caquetaia

Only very lage waterchanges - 90 % a day, for a week, or two, combined with perhaps salt for the Chuco - and higher pH might cure them

[Dan Woodland]

Although you write 'frequent water changes' I'd guess the wqater is not OK. Perhaps the driftwood ditd raise the amount of organic matter in the watrer and the low pH (at least low for the Chuco) deminised their resistance towards bacteria. Remember, chuco vcomes from very clear, little organic matter waters

The bacteria invaded the chuco, increased in numbers and managed to invade the Caquetaia

Only very lage waterchanges - 90 % a day, for a week, or two, combined with perhaps salt for the Chuco - and higher pH might cure them

Bingo! Perfect diagnosis Bas. That's the same diagnosis others came to.