White Spots on Fire Eel?

[Revan]

Hello,

I've noticed numerous white spots on my 10-12" fire eel. I can't tell if it's ich or some disease, or if it's just the eels natural paterns developing. I tend to over-worry about this guy, so this could be nothing. But I wanted to ask to be safe.

Pictures attached. Anyone know what these spots might be? They are not raised/protruding like ich, but they're all over the body. No spots on any other fish in the tank.

125g planted tank, 81 degrees, 7.0-7.2 ph, 0 ammo and trites, below 10 trates, PFS substrate, lots of hiding spots.

Thank you!

 

[tlindsey]

Hello,

I've noticed numerous white spots on my 10-12" fire eel. I can't tell if it's ich or some disease, or if it's just the eels natural paterns developing. I tend to over-worry about this guy, so this could be nothing. But I wanted to ask to be safe.

Pictures attached. Anyone know what these spots might be? They are not raised/protruding like ich, but they're all over the body. No spots on any other fish in the tank.

125g planted tank, 81 degrees, 7.0-7.2 ph, 0 ammo and trites, below 10 trates, PFS substrate, lots of hiding spots.

Thank you!

View attachment 1262344

View attachment 1262345

View attachment 1262346

T thefredpit

 

[thefredpit]

I am lucky enough to have never experienced ich so can't really help

 

[Nick12231]

I also have never experienced ich, but I'd recommend to put it in a quarentine tank in case it is ich (which it seems to be) and doesn't spread.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I have never seen anything like that on any of my three fire eels. I would say there's a good chance its ick.

 

[Drstrangelove]

Looks like ich.

1) When did you get the fire eel? (NVM, it was several months ago.)

2) What other fish or plants have you added to that tank (or any other tank in your house) in the last 30 days?

3) Quarantine will not work if it's ich. If it's ich, it's already all over that tank and likely on one or more other animals in the tank. If it's ich, it came from another fish and it is on many other fish. Look closer.

4) I've never seen spots like that on any picture of a healthy fire eel.

 

[Revan]

Looks like ich.

1) When did you get the fire eel? (NVM, it was several months ago.)

2) What other fish or plants have you added to that tank (or any other tank in your house) in the last 30 days?

3) Quarantine will not work if it's ich. If it's ich, it's already all over that tank and likely on one or more other animals in the tank. If it's ich, it came from another fish and it is on many other fish. Look closer.

4) I've never seen spots like that on any picture of a healthy fire eel.

Thanks for the feedback. It's just odd because it's been about 5 days now since I first noticed it and there are still no spots on any other fish. I believe ick would've spread by now. I'm studying the other fish very closely and it's def not there. Also, the spots aren't protruding like ick usually does. No new additions to the tank at all for a few months.

I started treatment for ick today anyway, to be safe. Just hate using meds if I'm not certain, ya know? Also raised the temp to 83.

He's behaving no different than usual. Eating healthy, swimming normally, etc. He's not flashing or rubbing against things.

 

[Drstrangelove]

How are you treating the possible ick?

83 by itself is a very good temperature to encourage ick or bacteria to flourish. You want 86 or preferably 87 if your goal is to eradicate ick if you are using only using temperature. OTOH 83 isn't bad if you are adding the correct amount of salt (1 tbl per gallon) as your treatment.

If you haven't added any new fish or plants to anything in your house in a few months, I would consider it doubtful that's it's ick especially if the eel has been around since February? and no other fish is showing this.

Careful observation isn't bad at this point. Using the proper amount of salt and some heat, or just using higher heat is an option, but some other signs should be there soon.

 

[Revan]

I dosed Marineland Ick Remedy today. Only half-dosage. Wasn't planning on doing salt since it's a planted tank and has lots of cory cats (which I'm informed are sensitive to salt).

 

[eddiegunks]

A few thoughts.

My eel tank looked like the other fish may have ick. I raised the temp to 87. Cured the other fish.

My FE has white spits. (Even before the ick outbreak). I think it was from him rubbing in rocks etc. they are slightly different than your spots.

FYI. I killed another eel by adding copper. I came home From a long weekend to find my fish (another tank) covered in ick. They looked like someone threw em in powdered sugar. I usually never use chemicals but i was tired, shocked, and not using my brain. I added the copper. 5 min later it hit me. I pulled the FE and qt and rinsed him. I change 95% of the water and put him back it. He died anyway.

Becareful with meds, salt, and eels.