oh no :(

[aquabee]

So yesterday (Sunday) I bought another oto for my 7.9gal planted tank, which has another oto, 2 RCS, 5 black-line rasbora (small ones for now), and a kuhli loach. I acclimated the new oto slowly over an hour before introducing it to the tank. I noticed later that its belly was a lot bigger than my other oto's. Now, I've noticed the ever-so-upsetting white spots on him and his belly is HUGE and seems to be rippling. What do I do? The other fish seem fine and the temp is always very stable at 78-79F. Do I take him out and put him in a separate tank? Or just treat the whole tank??

This sucks. I haven't had an ich issue for 20 years. No more Aquarium World for me.

Edit: ended up taking out the new oto since I couldn't bear to sit and watch the parasite possibly propagate in my tank. Sadly he was easy to catch and doesn't look so hot. I'm hoping the parasite was just contained to this fish since I caught the white spots the same day they appeared... I'll treat him with some salt and elevated temps, and I'll keep a really close eye on the fish remaining in the tank. If anything happens I'll treat the tank as well.

[sunkenmetal]

That stinks...

[wesleydnunder]

Always quarantine your new fish. If the new one has a disease it's much easier to treat the one fish than an entire tank.

Mark

[photogdude]

if you bought it at aquarium world on 290/hollister they have or used to have a 7 day guarantee, just bring the fish with a water sample, their livestock has always been good to me.. And otto's are notoriously sensitive.

[aquabee]

Always quarantine your new fish. If the new one has a disease it's much easier to treat the one fish than an entire tank.

Mark

I know Mark. :( Didn't have the cash for a quarantine tank and thought it was funny to set up a 10 gal quarantine for my 7.9 gal tank... not so funny now though! My new oto is currently in my neighbor's hospital tank. I've never ever had this problem in 20 years since I've been so careful choosing my fish and usually treat the tank with a little salt when bringing new fish home. I know you can't tell when a fish is simply carrying a dormant parasite... my fault, I guess. My bf and I are setting one up for our 125g frontosa tank though so I'll have use of that one soon enough.

[aquabee]

if you bought it at aquarium world on 290/hollister they have or used to have a 7 day guarantee, just bring the fish with a water sample, their livestock has always been good to me.. And otto's are notoriously sensitive.

They do have a 7 day guarantee but if you read it closely, it says for dead fish only. I'll call them today though and ask them about it. I've heard about otos being so sensitive but again, I've kept otos for at least 10-15 years and had no problems. In fact, I haven't seen ich in any of my tanks in 20 years, since my very first experience with it. And now my record is broken! Come to think of it, the very same day I put him in the tank I noticed how sluggish he was and that his belly was huge. I don't know how I didn't notice this at the store.

Thanks for the reminder about the guarantee. If I can't cure him myself I'll take him back... in a little fishie body bag.