Hi, I bought 6 platy fish and a black corydora catfish about 2 weeks ago, all seem in good health bright colours and swimming round as normal they are in a 48l tank which the pet store said was a big enough tank for them all, but one of them seems to be loosing his scales or I’m afraid he may have itch but it dosent look like it I hope you can help,thanks.

Updated On December 15th, 2018

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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It doesn't look like Ich in the images provided. Ich will appear as multiple white dots the size of salt grains on the fish. The fish will "flash" or dart about the tank and rub on objects due to itching. The fish may have an infection or the loss of scales may be due to trauma from other fish. Consider separating the affected fish into a separate tank to recover. If this is not possible, maintain pristine water quality in the main tank and consider a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find one in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. You are likely at the maximum number of fish in the tank. As they grow, they shouldn't get bigger than 2 - 2.5 inches, and reach adulthood you may need a larger tank or you may need to separate them.

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