What wrong with my EBJD

[Americancichlidsaredabest]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

.5ppm

If I did not test my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

81-90%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

I have an electric blue Jack Dempsey who is developing white sides. I thought this was ammonia burn at first but after testing the water quality is pristine. After looking back on some old threads could my bn pleco be sucking his slime coat? I put him in his own little quarebtine tank for now. Any thought are welcome. Thank you!!

 

[Deadeye]

Side profile shots of it in the tank would help, but it does look like damage from another fish. Are there other cichlids with it?

 

[Americancichlidsaredabest]

Side profile shots of it in the tank would help, but it does look like damage from another fish. Are there other cichlids with it?

Yes hes with a BP ,red shoulder sev, and another EBJD. But he is very laid back and I’ve never seen anyone bother him before.

 

[AR1]

duanes
kno4te

 

[dmyersWv]

Hard to tell from pictures but sounds like damage from other fish. Quarantine tank sounds like the right idea.

 

[danotaylor]

Agreed, and I would add 1tbsp salt for every 2 gallons of water to stimulate slime coat regeneration and keep bacterial counts low to prevent secondary bacterial skin infection. I would encourage a 50% water change twice a week to keep bacterial counts at the lowest, replace same concentration of salt with water changes for 2 weeks, at which point you can keep up the water changes & not replace the salt. Once fully healed up reintroduce to his home tank. If you suspect the pleco I would remove it

 

[kno4te]

Salt and water changes for now. Can also try a methylene blue dip if the salt and water changes aren’t helping. Remove pleco if needed. Update as it goes.

 

[danotaylor]

If you’re in the US, this is the salt I use from Home Depot. 99.8% pure sodium chloride. At $9/40# a heck of a lot cheaper than gimmicky “aquarium” salt

 

[Americancichlidsaredabest]

Today he’s looking about the same. I did about a 50-75% ish water change and added more aquarium salt. I’ll try to get some better pics but it’s about a 20 gallon tub which kind of distorts the image.

Side profile shots of it in the tank would help, but it does look like damage from another fish. Are there other cichlids with it?

How would other fish cause this white look to the blue scales? Could it just be stress?

Salt and water changes for now. Can also try a methylene blue dip if the salt and water changes aren’t helping. Remove pleco if needed. Update as it goes.

I don’t usually have the problem of sick/unhealthy fish so what does the methylene blue do and where would I get some?

 

[dmyersWv]

Sometimes if the scales or slime coat are damaged it can alter the color.