[MrMoogy]

Hey folks, I picked up a shoal of bloodfins last week, all six looked healthy, very active and colorful. A few days ago I noticed the largest one had what looked like a white growth on its lower lip. My LFS who sold the fish to me said that it was likely minor injuries caused by the fishes constantly chasing each other and establishing a hierarchy, which I thought was normal behavior. However, today 5 of them have this growth, and the large one is losing color in its fins. Additionally, the shoal is spending all its time seperated from each other, hiding in the lower part of the aquarium. They still do chase and nip one another, but seem agitated and skittish. Pics attached of the growth.

Tank Info,

Planted 25G
1 Dwarf Gourami
3 Otos
6 Bloodfins

parameters
0 nh3
0 n02
5-10 n03

Research into the problem scares me a bit, since I think I've ruled out Columnaris since the other symptoms havent shown and none of the tetras have expired. The only other causes could be fungal, although its lumpy, not fuzzy, or what I dread, Neon Tetra Disease. I don't have a QT, I'm stretched on cash. Additionally, two weeks ago, one of my Otos died, but it refused to eat after being placed in the tank and starved.

I will attempt to get better pics when I am able, but these guys still move very quick despite being sick.

Edit: Sorry, I can't seem to get the orientation right.

 

[Nordic]

Your eye will be the best judge of this. Does the mouth appear white, white, or more off white to gray?
If the latter it could be cotton wool disease, which is a form of columnaris.

Because it is so hard to identify fungal from bacterial infections without a microscope, many of the anti fungal medicines treat a variety of conditions. I would think an antibiotic against gram-negative bacteria, such as kanamycin might also be a good idea, but it is slightly pricey. At least it is over here.

 

[MrMoogy]

The area appears white. I'm not convinced its bacterial, so I'm going to do an antifungal treatment. If its columnaris, I was under the impression that they would be pretty much dead already.

 

[Nordic]

The area appears white. I'm not convinced its bacterial, so I'm going to do an antifungal treatment. If its columnaris, I was under the impression that they would be pretty much dead already.

Not always, it is also know as false neon disease due to the similarity in symptoms.