- 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?
- 10
- 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 noticed this damage or fungus on a rainbowfish Wed after being gone for a day and a half. Did big water change on Sunday night. I regularly do 85% water changes at least once a week. Tank seemed fine other than my pleco I had since 95 dying back in Oct.
I got new fish last week but they are in QT and I make sure not to touch that water before touching the display.
I worried it might be a fungus or bacterial infection but in the past I was overly cautious and quarantined a rainbow that just had scale damage from running into stuff. Rainbows do that a lot.
Now I'm worried bc a Dority rainbow died Thursday and I noticed a red mark on a female Dority that I didn't notice before.
Size of tank? 125g
2. Water parameters
a. Ammonia? 0 with tetra test strip
b. Nitrite? 0
c. Nitrate? 10 aprox
d. pH, KH and GH? KH looks like 80, GH 300, 6.8 ph
e. Test kit? Aquarium coop test strip
3. Temperature? 77F
4. FW (fresh water) or BW (brackish)? FW
5. How long the aquarium has been set up?
Since late 90s
6. What fish do you have? How many are in your tank? How big are they? How long have you had them? 7 clownloaches and about 14 rainbowfish that have been in there since 2018
7. Were the fish placed under quarantine period (minus the first batch from the point wherein the tank is ready to accommodate the inhabitants)?
8. a. Any live plants? Fake plants? Fake plants
b. Sand, gravel, barebottom? Gravel
c. Rocks, woods, fancy decors? Any hollow decors? Small driftwood and lava rocks
9. a. Filtration? Aquaclear 120, old Whisper, hot magnum,intake sponges
b. Heater? Heaters are unplugged as tank stays above 77.
10. a. Lighting schedule? What lights are used?
b. Any sunlight exposure? How long?
Lights 230-1030. Shop led light
11. a. Water change schedule?
b. Volume of water changed? 85% plus
c. Well water, tap water, RO water? Lake Michigan tap
d. Water conditioner used? Safe. Used stress cost bc I saw damage
e. Frequency of gravel/sand (if any) vacuumed? Every week
12. Foods? NLS and northfin
How often are they fed? 5-6 a week.
13. a. Any abnormal signs/symptoms?
b. Appearance of poop? Seems normal
c. Appearance of gills? Seems normal
14. a. Have you treated your fish ahead of diagnosis?
b. What meds were used?
15. Insert photos of fish in question and full tank shot if necessary.




