My red barb fish has a white thing on its skin. What is it and what to do?

Thank you for your question, and thanks for the pictures - they are very helpful! Unfortunately, there are many things that can result in white ares on the skin of fish. As you mentioned, Ich is one of them, and this is a type of parasite. There are other parasites that cause white areas, and there are also types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause them too. In addition to this, it may be tissue, as you mentioned above as well - this tissue would be abnormal, and may be benign or malignant in nature. Due to this, it would be ideal to have Curly seen by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can take a sample of the white areas and can evaluate the material under the microscope. This will help to guide what type of treatment would be needed for Curly (example: antibiotics, anti-parasitics, anti-fungals). I hope that gives you a place to start, and I hope that Curly feels better soon!

Thanks for reaching out about your fish and including a photo. This is a fairly large lesion and needs to be diagnosed and treated. Parasitic infestations and bacterial infections must be considered. Adding non-iodized salt at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons for 3 consecutive days might provide some osmotic relief but is not therapeutic levels. A skin scrape and microscopic examination is needed to diagnose parasites is needed. Different parasites require different medications. Bacterial infections should be treated with systemic antibiotics through injections or oral medications, not water additives. Good luck.

It could be early ich (white spot) infection or another infection (bacterial or fungal). To be safe, separate him into a quarantine tank and monitor for any change. You can treat for ich as you did it in the past if indicated. Bacterial and fungal infections have different treatments, so I would be hesitant to recommend a specific medication without more information or a definitive diagnosis. You can use plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt or Epsom salt). As a general tonic to reduce stress, increase gill function, treat minor infection of many types and to aid in recovery. This can be added to the quarantine tank at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition.

It needs to be separated into a hospital tank by itself so it can be treated and heal. If you leave it in the main tank, the others will continue to pick and nip until it dies. Maintain pristine water quality and chemistry during treatment. You can use a broad spectrum antibiotic for 10-14 days to treat infection. You can find one, such as Maracyn 1 or 2, Kanaplex or Furan, in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.

Thanks for reaching out about your fish. Dermatitis can be caused by poor water quality, bacterial infections and parasitic infestations. Checking water quality first, is the easiest. Correct any concerns. A skin scrape and microscopic examination is needed to diagnose parasites, as different parasites require different treatments. Antibiotics would be needed to treat a bacterial infection. Seek an examination with an aquatic veterinarian. Good luck.

Separate him into a smaller quarantine tank. You can use a broad spectrum antibiotic to treat him. Read package directions carefully and remove the carbon insert if necessary during g treatment. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used concurrently to aid healing. Dissolve 1 teaspoon per gallon of water into the tank. The Ich can be managed by gradually to about 86 F. Raise it no more than 1 degree per hour to prevent stress. This will speed up the life cycle of the parasite. Once the "dots" drop off your fish, you can vacuum the gravel daily and sanitize any tank furniture. Keep the temperature elevated for about two weeks to ensure resolution. Reduce the temp gradually after this time period. A medication such as API's QuickCure can also be used in conjunction with a temperature increase.

This could be a fungal or bacterial infection. Less likely is a parasite. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Maintain water temp between 78 F and 80 F. Consider a broad spectrum antibiotic or an all-in-one type treatment. Either can be found in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. You can also add in some plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve up to 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Salt can be used in conjunction with an antibiotic or other treatment.