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Just got a new L239. He is in quarantine (has been since I got him - maybe 4 days ago?). The second day I saw one spot on him but decided to wait it out - now he has quite a few (on his body - up by his head and maybe one on each fin). Is this ich, or something else? What is the recommended treatment? He is probably only 4" TL, and the LFS said they had him for 3 weeks and he had started eating. He has shown interest in food but have not SEEN him eat. Have not seen him flashing, and he has been acting the same for the past 4 days - he is not suddenly lethargic or anything. If I need a better picture I will get one ASAP, I just saw him out in the open and snapped this real quick with my phone to have some reference. I am unsure but ich seems to have smaller 'spots' than this on the pictures I have seen My water params are : Amm : 0 Nititrites: 0. Temp should be around 77* or so. The heater hasn't been on so it should be around my house temp.
Thanks for any help and let me know to get a better pic if needed.

It's a small pic, but that looks like ich... For certain, L239 does not have white spots naturally, so something is on it that I'd want to be getting rid of.

I also think it looks like ich, but do you have a sand substrate. Just want to make sure it isn't
sand granules on him. I have used kordons rid ich + with great results when a betta had ich in a tank
with a bristlenose. Some people use the increased temp and salt treatment.

No - the tank has a black substrate. I was considering the salt/heat treatment but at 77*-78* my tank is already at the high end of their range so I can't turn the heat up much more - don't know if that would work. Am really looking for whatever is going to work the best while not being really harsh on him.

Just as a quick other Q - is there any other disease that would show up as white spots like that? If I see him about today I will try and get a better picture of him.

Edit: am on the kordon website - it says it IS safe for scaleless fish, but to carefully observe reactions. Do I put in the full dose immediately, or should I slowly increase to full dose and then once at full dose (if it is handled well) treat from there for full amount of days? Will buy an oxygen wand, too. My water levels are already a little below the filter output to have some water movement.

I would follow the dose in the instructions - sometimes it says half dose for scaleless fish, for example. If you observe fish seeming to be influenced by the medication, make a decent size water change.

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Mats

you did get the one Kordons rid ich + right? It should have the plus sign on there.

and yes just as Mats says.

keep us posted.

that's a beauty of a pl*co you have their. take great care with him. He is my fav and I have never owned one. Yet. One day I will.

Yes I got the +. I have done the first treatment earlier in the day just as the instructions say. I really hope he makes it through OK.

I do also love these fish! I have one right now - but this one has a bit more blue. I really like these guys.

Hi,
I keep my L239 at up to 83 F, with no adverse effects, so you have some room to move if you decide to increase the heat to speed up the ich lifecycle.

Geoff