On thursday last week my friend asked if i would like to swap some of my platys for her pregnant molly as whenever her molly gives birth none survive in her tank and in my tank the polar opposite occurs and all the fry survive judging by the numbers of fish I now have

anyways Friday morning i have come down to a much slimmer molly and at least 30 molly fry counting over the weekend it seems nearer 40.

this morning I've come down and found her covered in white lumps and looking blind in 1 eye what is it and is it treatable, contagious? I've never had a fungal problem or skin problem in the 15 years I've had tropical fish, I used to get outbreaks of fin rot in my goldfish.

Any chance of a good photo?

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I'll try. I *think* its ick having a quick google. Wish I'd never agreed now to let her swap

This sounds more like a case of Lymphocytis, rather than Whitespot given the description of white 'lumps'. Whitespot (caused by a ciliated protozoan called Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in freshwater fish) - as the name suggests - produces flat white lesions which are actually cysts.

Lymphocytis is a very common viral infection that affects both freshwater and marine fish. The white lumps (cell nodules) become virus factories, each spewing out hundreds if not thousands of viral particles into the aquarium water once they rupture after a few weeks.

If the problem is indeed Lymphocytis, it can't be treated as there currently isn't any way to treat a virus in any organism. Most fish that are affected recover after a short period and the disease itself runs its course within 3-4 weeks.

The only thing you can do in cases like these is to reduce stress on the fish. This means maintaining water quality, reducing overcrowding, careful handling and high-quality food. Ignore any chemical medications that claim to treat Lymphocytis.

hope these pics work I cant get photo bucket to load the pics they just go all pixelated!!
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It's a bit difficult to tell from the photo and there isn't really enough to suggest either Whitespot, Lymphocytis or even Velvet as the cause of any problems.

It appears from the photo as though excess mucous is being secreted from the protective slime coat. Can you see anything trailing behind the fish or from the skin?

I can clearly see from the photo that the left eye is swollen, either as a result of an accumulation of fluid or physical damage. I wouldn't worry if the fish does become blind in one eye (not that there's any way to tell) as fish have other senses that are used for finding food and navigation (e.g. the lateral line system). Many fish that naturally inhabit very dark or even pitch-black areas have evolved to the point where they've lost their eyes completely.

no there is nothing trailing behind her, if she is profile to me i can see the little spots sticking out where as if she is side on they just look like white dots.

Im off to my local aquatic centre (not p@h!!) to see what they can suggest

Many thanks for your great advice Luke xx

It could well be Lymphocytis if the 'spots' in question are indeed protuding laterally away from the skin.

I wouldn't bother with the aquatic store unless you can 100% trust them not to sell you something that might not work; a lot of aquatic store staff jump to the wrong conclusions and sell you something that is formulated to treat something not even remotely similar. I'd leave it for a day or so and see what happens. If there's anything more sinister at work then it will normally show itself within this period.

Can you get a full set of test results for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

Ok water tests. Ive done them twice to double check they are correct!

Water temp is currently 24c/76F and Ive turned it up to 25c to try and combat the "ick" and will increase it slowly over the next few days until its reading 79F.

Ammonia reading- 0.1mg/litre

Nitrite - 0mg/litre 0.1 at a real push the test was almost crystal clear.

Nitrate - 100mg/l my real issue here and like I said tested twice to double check. its somewhere between 75-100mg and the higher end of the scale I would say.

PH - 7.0. tested with both a broad and specific scale and 7.0 on both.

So my real issue is (unsurprisingly) the nitrate levels. Now considering just how many fish I have currently I knew it would be high.

I do have quite a few plants totally useless on the names but at least 3 are mature plants and the rest growing well.

I have a little algae growing on the glass but other than that a algae free tank. Several months ago I was infested BIG time but now like I say just a little green on the glass where I haven't cleaned recently.

My question is what do I do next? Ive come home with aquilibrium aquarium salt as a most have to keep in the cupboard anyhows but I know it can be effective against white spot etc. as well as a buffer for ph problems.

I also have some melafix to help molly with her eye problem and any secondary infections from the current parasite.

and luckily I grabbed another bottle of nitrateminus to do the obvious. Now I don't want to go ott and try everything at once or I will end up fish less so which do I do first? Treat the nitrate problem and in a few days add the salt OR forget the nitrate at the present and tackle the disease before it spreads to further fish

ATEOTD if I lose fish im not going to blame anyone here who has offered me advice so im willing to "sacrifice" a few to save the rest iyswim.

I think I would get the nitrates down first with a series of 30% water changes.

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