Hello everyone...first time posting here.

Here is basically the same information I sent to Robyn in an email, but I thought i'd post it here as well:

Maybe you can help me out. My last remaining ADF frog (the other died a while back, and i'm n ot sure why), seems to have a sever growth of algae or fungus on his left arm, and around his back right foot. I've just recently gotten a white cotton algae outbreak under control, so I'm not sure if the two are related.

Your site mentioned aquarium salt...should I try this?


Here is the specifics of my tank:

55 galons
incandesent lighting
1 gold gourami
1 blue gourami
4 cardinal tetras
1 betta
3 leopard danios
3 black neon tetras
1 rosy barb

What does everyone think?

Thanks!

White cotton algae? Most algae is green. If you had white threads all over, that would be a fungal outbreak. The same fungus could be after the frog's legs. Fungus normally attacks injuries. Fungus hates salt. Frogs don't like much of it either. But, if you add a tablespoon per 4 gallons of salt or so, it shouldn't bother the frogs and can deter the fungus. A fungus-killing medication may harm the frog but may be a risk you want to take to knock back the fungus. Do the gouramis leave the frog alone? They are the only fish you list that could have injured the frog (resulting in the fungal infection). Your rosy barb, being a schooling fish, is probably lonely. I hope your frog gets better!

My son's frog has a cottony growth on it's head & I used Jungle Fungus Clear to treat it & it cleared right up. Robyn I have 8 2-month old babies left & they're acting really ill. They're swimming on their sides & losing their tails & stuff. I got a Triple Sulfa antibiotic (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) & did a couple doses & it's not helping. Should I try adding salt? They're in a 20-gal w/a 7" common pleco. If they all die I'm giving up the breeding thing. If salt...how much & what kind? The guy at the lfs says it sounds bacterial.
Sorry didn't mean to bogart the thread. Just wondering if salt would help. Y'all have a nice day!

Val

I'm sorry about your paradise fish. The two I have in the 5 gallon tank are also ailing for no apparent reason.

Salt may help. Put in a tablespoon per 3 gallons. The pleco won't like more than that. Be sure the pleco doesn't take advantage of the sick paradise fish to suck on their tails and such. I suggest doing a 50% water change, adding dechlorinator, salt, and MelaFix. An antibiotic is probably a good idea. I use Maracyn by Mardel myself.

Robyn...aquarium salt or will any salt work? Sorry your fish aren't doing well either. The pleco's leaving them alone...they're less than an inch long.

The salt should be either sodium chloride (NaCl) with nothing else or evaporated sea salt or artificial sea salt mix (for marine aquariums). The sea mixes have other salts and minerals in them and may help raise hardness. For just the benefit of osmotic regulation and fighting off bacteria, fungus, and parasites, sodium chloride (table salt without iodine) is what you need. A box of aquarium salt is just sodium chloride and costs very little.