Mysterious White Spots on Electric Eel’s Head.

[Electrofunk]

So about a week ago I noticed some small white spots on my electric eel. So I turned up the temp of his tank and began treating it with API super ick away because it was the only thing I could find on short notice being in a rural area and all. But anyways here it is about a week later and I have noticed the spots haven’t gotten any worse but also haven’t gotten any better at the same time. Do any of you guys know what may be going on with this fish? If so, do you have any recommendations on what I can use to treat it properly? The first pic is the fish tonight after I fed him, and the first one is from when I first noticed the spotting.

 

[Electrofunk]

Also, since I forgot to mention it in the first post, the spots seem to be localized to his head and nowhere else on his body.

 

[Deadeye]

jjohnwm kno4te
It does look like ich, but it is weird it’s localized only on the head.
Did you remove carbon while treating?

 

[FJB]

Although it does look like similar to the appearance of ick, being limited to the head area seems odd, and suspicious. I would not eliminate the possibility of being something else, possibly entirely different. I suggest reading up on the biology of this type of electric eels.

What if there was something akin to the type of white nodules developed by male goldfish on the opercula and preopercula, sometimes extending to much of the head. This is a seasonal appearance that simply means they are mature and ready. I am not at all saying that’s what’s going on, but ick is usually not restricted to a certain part of the fish

 

[kno4te]

Good close up would help but I’d guess ich or external parasites of some sort. Try some paragaurd.

 

[Electrofunk]

jjohnwm kno4te
It does look like ich, but it is weird it’s localized only on the head.
Did you remove carbon while treating?

Yeah I removed the carbon, and since it’s a scales fish I’ve been using half the recommended dosage.

Although it does look like similar to the appearance of ick, being limited to the head area seems odd, and suspicious. I would not eliminate the possibility of being something else, possibly entirely different. I suggest reading up on the biology of this type of electric eels.

What if there was something akin to the type of white nodules developed by male goldfish on the opercula and preopercula, sometimes extending to much of the head. This is a seasonal appearance that simply means they are mature and ready. I am not at all saying that’s what’s going on, but ick is usually not restricted to a certain part of the fish

This dude is nowhere near breeding age, he’s only six inches at most.

Good close up would help but I’d guess ich or external parasites of some sort. Try some paragaurd.

Gonna go to a fish store tomorrow that has some decent meds in stock. Would have went today but they are only open like three days a week for some reason.

 

[Electrofunk]

Good close up would help but I’d guess ich or external parasites of some sort. Try some paragaurd.

Just managed to get some close up shots, hopefully this helps.

 

[kno4te]

I’d try the paragaurd.

 

[FJB]

How is the fish doing? Behavior changes, activity, etc. Also, is it still limited to the head area?
I am no expert on eels or on ick but I don’t believe that is ick. Hopefully you will soon arrive at a good resolution or understanding.

 

[Electrofunk]

I’d try the paragaurd.

Just ordered some Paraguard since the super ick cure isn’t doing anything.

How is the fish doing? Behavior changes, activity, etc. Also, is it still limited to the head area?
I am no expert on eels or on ick but I don’t believe that is ick. Hopefully you will soon arrive at a good resolution or understanding.

The fish itself is doing fine, no behavior changes and just as voracious as ever.