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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 20, 2008 16:54:53 GMT -5
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Post by Carl on Sept 21, 2008 18:00:34 GMT -5
Although I am not sure what I am seeing, this is definitely NOT Saprolegnia. This appears to look like bleached hair algae to me. Here is a photo of a fish with Saprolegnia:  Carl |
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 21, 2008 19:10:21 GMT -5
Thanks Carl. And when I had fish in there, there was white fluffy stuff growing on the dead ones hours after they died. And all my levels were fine too. I'm really not sure why they were even dying. They were fry. Can you tell me a little more about bleached hair algae?
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 22, 2008 14:37:22 GMT -5
Anyone? This is a big problem and it looks like I may have to discontinue spawning bettas until I get this problem fixed. Hoping someone else will pitch in...
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Post by Carl on Sept 22, 2008 15:00:29 GMT -5
Thanks Carl. And when I had fish in there, there was white fluffy stuff growing on the dead ones hours after they died. And all my levels were fine too. I'm really not sure why they were even dying. They were fry. Can you tell me a little more about bleached hair algae? Sorry I did not answer earlier, I have been swamped and my computer crashed including the answer I typed. Anyway the white stringy stuff looks like what is occasionally left when I bleach decor in a 20 to 1 water to bleach solution to clean the decor. This is not harmful, and I do not see anything that resembles Saprolegnia/fungus in your pictures (unless I am missing something). I added a new closeup picture of Saprolegnia in my Columnaris/Saprolegnia article (which I have been working on an update in between other tasks) Columnaris, Saprolegnia, FungusCarl |
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 22, 2008 18:43:27 GMT -5
Thanks, sorry if I rushed you into responding.
However, whatever it and whatever wooly stuff is, it is causing my betta fry to die without any symtoms associated with saprolegnia! I'm very worried. Could it be that my tank is not covered super well so the humidity is up? I know that betta fry need it humid in their tank for their labyrnth organs to develop. I do the best I can with covering my tanks but they never seem all that humid. The fry also typically seem to die when they are 2 1/2-5 weeks old which is about the time their labyrnth ograns are developing. Could that be the problem? And could the saprolegnia affecting the tanks be an effect of the fish dying from their labyrnth organs developing improperly and therefore polluting the tank? What I've noticed is the biggest fry seem to die more than the smaller ones.
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Post by Carl on Sept 23, 2008 10:34:56 GMT -5
I am honestly not sure you have a Saprolegnia outbreak in your tank.
Yes Saprolegnia is ALWAYS present, however it generally only becomes a problem in tanks with thes issues:
*Weak or injured fish (that would include genetically weak fish)
*A poorly cycled aquarium (a weak nitrogen cycle)
* an over abundance of decaying organic matter
Rule out the above and you can rule out 80-90% of Saprolegnia cases
Carl
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 23, 2008 14:53:47 GMT -5
Decaying matter is my only problem. I seem to always overfeed fry. But my nitrate, ammonia, etc. are rarely elevated in my fry tanks. Do you think it's more not enough humidity for the development of the betta fry's labyrinth organ? Suzie Q or FPenycat, if you read this, could you please give me some tips. Thanks.
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Post by Carl on Sept 23, 2008 19:57:04 GMT -5
Suzy Q or Penycat may be busy today, so i will answer again.
I would think that you would have enough humidity especially if your tank has a cover as the humidity under the cover would be very high. Even if not, the first few inches above the water (which is all the fish is going to stick their heads into) is going to also be high.
So I would doubt a problem with the labyrinth organ, my guess is still a weak fish for what ever reason (although genetics is a strong possibility based on the history of this problem).
Carl
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 24, 2008 10:20:46 GMT -5
Well, I don't actually have a really good top. I typically use a plastic bin to cover the tank and then water droplets condense on the plastic bin top from the heater. But due to being above the water's surface, the water droplets are cold, meaning they cause it to be colder above the water's surface. I've also been keeping the wate level above 6 inches when I hatch betta fry which is not recommended. I'm trying to improve though. I have a 2 1/12 gallon i set up a spawn in that I'm ujsing a glass cover for which will definitely help increase humidity. Also, plastic wrap.
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