I've got a beast of an atabapo - close to 18"- I've notice some white marks on the gills on one side. Might be an injury - I've also got a 24" pbass and a Dat that's close to 18" - the three of them got at it now and then. Any thought?
White marks on my atabapo's gills
- Thread starter ukgoffer
- Start date
Looks like it could be hole-in the head to me. I had a big old Johanna that had some when I got her. Usually caused by less than perfect water conditions, I think a lot of south American cichlids who are used to Amazonian water get it when they are kept in regular tap water. What are your parameters like? My girl's scars got a little bit less noticeable as time went on but never really disappeared.
here's a (crappy 2010) pic
here's a (crappy 2010) pic
Hard to tell from the pics- are the white marks indented at all? Is it the scales that have turned white, or does it look like the white marks are small "pits"? Still looks like HITH to me. Crenicichla tend to prefer soft water, and pH that is below 6. Nitrates at 40 are also a little high- not too too bad, but around 20 would be better. I always say that stable conditions are better than optimal conditions, but crenicichla are known to get HITH in higher-pH, harder water, and water with higher nitrate or other levels. I'd up your water change schedule a bit and try to keep nitrates lower and see if that stops it. Unfortunately HITH scars never really go away, but if the conditions aren't corrected it can worsen as time goes on.
I appreciate the feedback on this. I managed to get a closer look today. It actually looks like something took a bite out of the edge of its gill flap about half the size of a dime. Would HITH cause a piece to fall off like that?
Charney
Gourami Swami
Charney
Gourami Swami