White particles in parrot fish tank after filter and heater off?

This can be due to micro bubbles from the filter. This will typically resolve in a few days. If the filter outflow creates a large amount of turbulence, try decreasing the flow rate. Another cause can be a bacterial bloom. This is a common occurrence after a water change and is caused by elevated ammonia levels or large amounts of organic matter in the tank. Either can feed bacteria and promote overgrowth. Check the filter media and rinse it, with tank water not tap water, if necessary. Check the water chemistry using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Ammonia levels, ideally, should be 0 ppm. Perform a partial water change if necessary. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Condition the water before pouring it into the tank. Remove any dead or dying plants, limit lighting, monitor water temp and don't overfeed. This will decrease the chance of a bloom occurring due to excess organic matter. Luckily, bacterial blooms are not harmful to fish. They can be frustrating, but they do clear up eventually.

Without an image, it is difficult to make detailed recommendations. In general, maintain pristine water quality and chemistry. Monitor for elevated ammonia or nitrite levels and perform partial water changes as needed. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Consider adding in a second antibiotic, such as Kanamycin, to treat gram negative bacterial infection. When treating the tank, be sure to remove the carbon filter insert during treatment.

Check water chemistry and filtration. Sunny may have developed a bacterial or fungal infection due to the switch in environment. Clean water is crucial to resolving infection. Perform regular partial water changes. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Maintain water temperature between 75 F and 72 F. Minor infection maybe resolved using plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt). Salt is a great general tonic. It reduces stress, improves gill function and aids in recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat until symptoms resolve. When performing water changes, use just enough salt to treat the water being replaced, not the entire tank volume. If necessary, you can use a broad spectrum medication if symptoms persist. Look in the aquarium section of the local pet or fish store for products such as Kanaplex, Maracyn or Lifeguard by Tetra. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert if indicated.

Thanks for reaching out. This problem is perplexing, but possibilities include fungal or bacterial overgrowths. A good cleaning might help to alleviate your problems. Continue to test water quality and correct problems. Sometimes the over-growth of anaerobic bacteria (those which grow in low or no oxygen conditions, at the bottom of the tank), can form strange formations of detritus. Submitting a sample to a lab might help determine an answer. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out. Pale gills are a serious concern. Providing additional oxygen is necessary for anemic animals to continue to deliver oxygen to organ. An airstone and pump will help, but an oxygen bottle would be better. As for a cause, a gill biopsy would be the first stop to rule in/out parasites or bacterial gill disease. Test and correct water quality. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your parrot fish and including a picture. Unfortunately the picture does not help to identify the lesion. There are multiple parasites (and different treatments) that can infest the gills, but very few are visible to the naked eye. Anchorworms would be one such parasite. A short (5-15 minute) fresh water dip can help to decrease parasite loads. Fresh water should be well aerated with an airstone, and monitored the entire length of the treatment. A visit to the veterinarian would allow a gill and skin scrape to identify the parasite, and therefore prescribe a more precise treatment. Good luck.

The fry should emerge within 4 days of egg laying. Any egg that turns white or cloudy is infertile and should be removed (if it isn't eaten first). Methylene blue can be used safely to keep eggs free of fungus.