White Patches On Swordtail

It's definitely not whitespot - that looks as though the fish has been sprinkled with salt.

It almost looks as though the fish has lost some scales - you can see her properly, has she lost scales or is the white on top of the scales?
I am not very good with diseases, but it if the white is on top of scales it suggests an infection. We can't get very strong medication without a vet's prescription, the best two meds to try are eSHa 2000 or Waterlife Myxazin.




Something I do need to check with you - how hard is your water? All the other fish in your signature are soft water fish, while swordtails are hard water fish, which will suffer in soft water.

If the scales are coming of it could be injury rather than infection. Is there any decor she could have tried to squeeze though (especially if being chased buy a male)?; could she have burned herself on the heater (though in this case I would have expected it to be in just one place)?

Looks like a systemic fungal infection to me, breaking out through the skin. I’d treat with Protozin.

They’re Swordtails btw, not Swordfish. If you had Swordfish your tank would be a lot bigger and saltier. 

Chances are your other fish could well show signs soon  aswell. Once it takes a hold it’s rapid. Treat the whole tank. It may be too late for this one. I’m not familiar with your tank but stress of some kind is probably involved.

Thanks Matt,

She hiding at the back of the tank in the plants at the mo so difficult to see, but the top definitely looked to be sticking out.

This isn’t columnaris.

Columnaris (in its chronic form) is an off-white to grey colour and starts as separate small marks on the skin, which progress into fluffy fungus-like growths. (In its acute, systemic form it usually kills without visible symptoms).

This case is one large area of white growth, which is typical of a systemic fungal infection.

Waterlife’s brand names have never been the most self explanatory.

Protozin does protozoans and fungi, and also contains a bacteristat to slow/halt secondary bacterial infections.

Myxazin does bacteria and contains a fungistat and a protozoastat (spelling?).

This makes them ideal for use when secondary infections are also present. You just need to decide which needs the most immediate treatment.

Sterazin used to be for all parasites. Now it’s for internal parasites (eg worms) and Parazin is for larger, external parasites such as lice and anchor worm. Sterazin also contains a bacteristat and fungistat. Parazin is relatively new so I’m not as familiar with it. No doubt it also contains ‘-stats’.

Definitely looks a lot better. I’m quite surprised tbh as I thought she was too far gone. It’s good stuff that Protozin. 

Do you have males in the tank as well? Looks like there might be a swollen belly there...

Hi, yeah, male in the tank and thought I'd seen fry before but must have been eaten by the other fish v.quickly.  It does look like shes pregnant again, not too sure if the trauma will have any effect on the fry.   I believe they only mate in ideal water conditions, so assuming I'm doing something right.