Re: White Flakes on African Cichlid

Question
QUESTION: I recently purchased a new African cichlid for my tank, which already houses 2 other Africans. After about 4 days in the tank, I noticed that he has translucent patches on him, and some of them are flaking off...I can see them "hanging" off of him. It does not look like Ich. He is eating, and the other 2 fish in the tank still are perfectly happy and healthy looking. The best I can describe it is it looks like when a person gets dandruff. I have put more salt and Melafix in the tank, and turned up the heat to around 81 degrees. I'd still really like to know what it is...just so I'll worry less about my little fishy. :-)

ANSWER: Hello Marianne,
I would really have to see the fish, if this was possible.  A heavy infestation of ick would look like slimy gray patches on the skin of a fish.  When fish get infested with this parasite, it is because they are either weak, stressed, overcrowded tank, or the water quality is not good.  Make sure your ammonia level is zero, your nitrites zero, and nitrates safe.  This in one of the most important things to look for when fish are sick.  Your water conditions should be checked every week to make sure that your water chemistry is right, and water changes of 25% should be make every week without fail.  
When bringing a new fish home, especially an African Cichlid, you must provide a new hiding place for him, and change your decor so that the other fish won't harass him.  While they are busy finding a new territory, they forget about the newcomer, and things are less stressful for the new fish.  African Cichlids needs lots of hiding places.
Another disease is "Costia" the body is covered in gray slime, and the fins are ragged.  There is medication for this disease at your pet store.
It could also be fungus.  fungus is a whitish, grayish cottony patch, that grows on the fish.  If left untreated, it will eat a fish alive in no time.  There is medication for this also at your pet store.
Does he have clamped fins?
You see, there are so many diseases that resemble each other that I need a better description so I can tell you what medication to buy.  I could go on writing down the different types of diseases, but this won't help you very much.
Write back to me, with as much information as you can.

Your water quality..ammonia?  Nitrites?  Nitrates?  PH?
The size of your tank
What are the names of your African fish.
Are his fins clamped or ragged?  ( This is very important to identify as if they are clamped it is very different than ragged, and would mean another disease)
What do you feed your fish?
I will wait for your answer
Lynda


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Here's what it looks like (just like on this fish's back):
http://i44.tinypic.com/f5bmtz.jpg

His fins are ragged.

My last water change was 25% a week ago, before he was added to the tank. I did move things around a little when I did the change, but I think the other two had gotten used to it before I put the new one in there. I added a couple of new (fake) plants a couple of days ago around his hiding place to offer him a little more protection.

I will get the water tested tomorrow and give you the rest of the information. Thank you so much for your help so far!

ANSWER: Your welcome.
Most African fish need big tanks as they get quite big, and are good swimmers.  I am wondering about their living situation, and what African Cichlids you do have.  If your tank is too small to house 3 African Fish, you will not be able to save him.  African Cichlids are very territorial.  You must let me know how many gallons of water you have in your tank, and the name of your fish.   Not all African Cichlids get along, and they can easily kill another fish.
 From the picture, it looks like an Oscar to me, and one Oscars needs at least a 60 gallon tank all to himself.  Two Oscars, you must double this, and so on.  Keeping an Oscar in a tank which is too small for him, is making him suffer.  His growth will be stunted, and his internal organs will have no place to grow, and eventually he will die.  I am telling you this so that you will be aware of what to expect.  Oscars should not be put in tanks with African Cichlids.  Oscars, are much more docile than African fish.  They do not live in the same PH, and they do not eat the same food.  If you have put an Oscar in with African Cichilds, it is no wonder to me that the poor fish got stressed, and sick.
Oscars are one of the most mistreated fish on the market, through no fault of the buyer, but the vendor who says anything to make a buck.  We do get very attached to an Oscar as he is a very intelligent pet.  We must treat them well, and care for them properly.  They do not ask to be put in our tanks, there lives are in our hands, we must do all that we can to make their life a happy one.  
The vendors don't care, they are there to make a money, and that is the only thing that matters to them.  
Let me know their living conditions, the names of the 2 other fish you have, and your water chemistry please.
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My tank is 35 gallons. The nitrites / nitrates / ammonia test at 0 (btw, I took the water to two different fish stores just to make sure it was accurate). The pH is 8.0.

The photo I sent I got off the internet...I was just trying to find a photo of what the "spots" looked like. My fish are all 3 Africans. One Ruby Red, one Flameback, and the one who is not feeling so well is a Ruby Green.

I got a better look at him last night, and, as best I can tell, it looks as though the "flakes" are patches of scales are coming off. I haven't seen him since then, he hasn't come out of his hiding spot.

Kindest Regards,

Marianne

Answer
Hello,
I'm sorry, but relieved that it wasn't an Oscar!  The little Ruby Green Cichlid is one of the most peaceful cichlids, so he must be stressed.  Your water is perfect, and your PH too.  Provide more hiding places.  One male should have 3 females with him, as should the other fish too.  This makes them feel more secure, and takes their minds off aggressing other males.   This is why bigger tanks are recommended with cichlids, and a decor of rocky formation, and overturned pots, which take up lots of room.  For now, I would treat him with an antibiotic.  Tetracycline would be my choice, but be aware that it will colour your water, and cause a foamy surface.  This however goes away once you do a water change, and put your carbon back into the filter.  When medicating, we must always remove the carbon as it will remove the medication if left in the filter.
I think that this little fish is stressed, and afraid.  I would change all the decor, add more hiding places, and treat him with Tetracycline.
I hope the little guy pulls through.
Lynda