[RML] Strange "bleached-out" spots on Rainbowfish
Randy Rader (trumpet at home.com)
Mon, 28 Dec 1998 20:14:31 -0600
I keep several species of Rainbowfish and have a "strange" question. I
have two fish afflicted with a strange "bleached-out" area(s) on their
bodies. The first is a ~2" female Cape Arnhem. She has 2 areas on
her. The first is on her head-left side. It covers the whole gill
plate up to her snout. The second is a 1/2" square area just above the
ventral fins on her right side.
The second fish is a Goyder River male ~4 1/2" long. He has a spot on
his right side splitting him in half from the ventral fin all the way to
his snout.
None of these spot to over the tops or bottoms of these fish to the
other side. They look as if someone has poured clorox bleach on them
and forgot to rinse it off. What can this be? I've looked and can't
find anything in all of my reference books I have.
If it would help, both of these fish were "wild caught". The Cape
Arnhem came in a group of 5. The Goyder River came in a trio. None of
the other fish shows signs of this affliction.
I just noticed today that the female fish is swimming in a "head-up 45
degree angle and it seems that her left pectoral fin is paralyzed. She
looks stressed and I'm afraid I'm going to lose her!
Please, If ANYONE knows ANYTHING about this, let me know. These fish
are my babies and I don't want to lose the whole tank. It's hard to
find "wild caught" Rainbows here in land-locked Omaha, Nebraska, USA!
They cost me a fortune the first time!
Thank you so much. I really enjoy this group! I get so much out of
it.