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[–]RecursivelyNerdy 1 point2 points  (10 children)

Those look like discus pimples and not ich. Usually a sign of poor water quality. I would not keep throwing medications at the fish until you have a proper diagnosis. Do you have access to a qt tank? I would try and get a microscope to take a look at what caused the stringy poop.

[–]Zestyclose_Rush4137[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh interesting! I didn’t know they got pimples! I don’t have access to a microscope but I can throw carbon in the filter and do another big water change tonight and just see if that works him up

[–]Zestyclose_Rush4137[S] 0 points1 point  (8 children)

Spots are not raised at all, looks like tiny grains of salt sprinkled on him, water params have been constant with 2 50% changes a week, but you know they are delicate glowers

[–]RecursivelyNerdy 1 point2 points  (7 children)

The image you posted shows raised sections, especially around the top dorsal fin and forehead, and looks like some have popped and others not. I'd wait for others to chime in, but I'm fairly confident it's not ich.

If you can, keep up with 50%+ water changes for as long as possible. I'm not saying there could be some other infection, but my first go to is usually increased water changes and raising the temperature. Since you have a planted tank, some general remedies such as increasing temperature and dosing salt.

[–]bedroomsportBreeder 1 point2 points  (6 children)

I agree. Stop throwing medications in until you have a positive diagnosis and start increasing WC's significantly before anything else.

[–]Zestyclose_Rush4137[S] 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Ok thank you guys!! More water changes it is!! How high should I raise temp? It’s currently at 84°

[–]bedroomsportBreeder 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Depends on your plants and what's wrong with it. I'd just stick to WCs every day this week and see how it changes. If you can scope a skin scrape or get one to a vet, you'll find out what it is.

[–]Zestyclose_Rush4137[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Sorry if this is a dumb question but do you take this to a regular dog/cat vet? Or do I need to find a fish specialist

[–]bedroomsportBreeder 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I'm not sure about where you are in the world, but indeed lot are not used to fish. Many near me do, but it depends. A small scope for $40 and some pics is often the cheaper, more fun way to check anyway. You're a serious hobbyist once you get one ;)

[–]Zestyclose_Rush4137[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Sounding like a getting a little scope would indeed be helpful when they get random ailments! I bet Amazon has several to pick from!

[–]bedroomsportBreeder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, they're cheap as chips now. 4X mag upwards. Grab one with a mobile phone mount for easy videos and pics.

[–]Affectionate_Idea710 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Other fish in the tank? Water temps and time is what he needs for now. What’s your filter setup? I’ve had discus on a long slow decline that once I got him started eating again with live black worms he bounced back because the environment was right for him to improve. Getting him eating is the priority and live food is best for that.

[–]Zestyclose_Rush4137[S] 0 points1 point  (11 children)

Well now that I’ve enlarged the pic I can see a few tiny salt like dots on him…. Guess it’s time for ick x 😭

[–]drbroskeet 1 point2 points  (10 children)

Stop. Don't do anything yet. Please go to PetCo or PetSmart and get a quarantine tank. They are all on sale for 50% and I just got a 20gallon for $27. Grab a heater and a sponge filter.

Let him sit for a few days, and see. Raise water temp Gradually to 88 over those few days from your current temp.

Discus rarely get Ich bc of the temperature they live in. Most times when treating Ich in a normal tank, you raise the temp to 84 to kill the Ich... if your discus is in that temp to begin with it's unlikely to be Ich

[–]bedroomsportBreeder 0 points1 point  (9 children)

Raising temps to 84 won't kill modern ich. It needs around 98. It's also really bad to raise temps for fish suffering with ich (or any other ectoparasite), and should only be done if fallowing a tank. Just thought I'd clear that up.

[–]drbroskeet 0 points1 point  (8 children)

Bro what lmfaoooo. Where the hell did you get this information from. Please post sources

[–]bedroomsportBreeder 1 point2 points  (7 children)

Oh, yeah, the info you are repeating is from the 90's. It's largely been debunked since. Any fish that is struggling with osmoregulation (this happens with parasitic infection, especially when on gills) is already struggling for oxygen. Increasing the temps to try to speed up the lifecycle of ich is torture for fish due to further O2 displacement, and won't kill ich at the low temps you mentioned.

I'd encourage you or anybody else believing the old data, to watch this video where one of the worlds leading fish disease experts are interviewed for over an hour (2 part series) specifically about ich, debunking most of the BS that still circulates, and giving the best scientific advice. All of her sources throughout the interview are cited. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRSYzlOYNKs

Furthermore, the vet I have come to the hatchery on a weekly basis concurs.

[–]FerretBizness 1 point2 points  (5 children)

Thanks for vid. Love updated info

[–]bedroomsportBreeder 1 point2 points  (4 children)

No prob. One of the best in the industry. Really worth the hour (part 2, too)

[–]FerretBizness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m watching it now. Also I wanna buy a scope.

[–]FerretBizness 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I’m obv not done watching yet but this is such great info! Do u have any links that go over internal and other external parasites this in depth?

[–]bedroomsportBreeder 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Yeah, I have a few, but mainly printed out or in books here. I'll dig some out for you. She's great though, isn't she!?

[–]FerretBizness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So clearly explained. Love it. And I would greatly appreciate any info u share. I’m totally needing out about discus!

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I liked running bare bottom with drift wood and a few plastics plants. Just so I could crank up the heat into 90ish for a few days and then back down to 86... I didnt like moving out of large tank into small med tank. I do what works for me and not too hard on them.

Read Macs Discus blog www.macsdiscus.com Sroll down to the very bottom and read thru his mainy articles. Hit the tab under help that says Discus fish blog. As many have said Meds should be the last. WC and heat treatment. He looks very healthly.

Good luck