could this be a parasite????
First the background:
These 5 Ocean Greens arrived Monday morning (May 27), along with 3 other types, 20 fish in all. I have each variety in seperate 50 gallon tanks (36x18x18). All are eating well, feces look good. The fish all have settled in, though the Ocean Greeens are quite skittish. I have 5 tanks lined up in a row, the Ocean Greens are in the centre tank.
Water parameters: pH 6.8, Ammonia & Nitrite 0, Nitrate <5, Gh 9 dh, Kh ~1 dh, temp 88.2 F. The tanks were cycled using a fishless cycle, and were fully cycled 3 weeks ago. Maintained the cycle by continuing to add Ammonia. 20% w/c every other day with aged, heated, peat & acid treated water.
Now for my question. 2 of the Ocean Greens (had been packed in a large bag, all 5 together; each ~ 2.5" total length) had slight abrasions on their bodies; 1 only on 1 side, the other on both sides. The abrasions are on the back 1/2 of both fish, the 1 in question has it ~ 1/2" forward from base of caudal, along the lateral line. This morning, it almost looks as though there's a parasite protruding from this abrasion. Would this be possible???? The abrasion doesn't apear inflamed, though the scales seem a bit disordered in this area, with a white filament maybe around 4 mm long and about the diameter of a blood worm sticking out. It doesn't apear to be moving. I've tried to have a better look with a magnifying glass, but the fish isn't co-operating. What's the least stressful method of holding them so I can have a good look?
Should I try Melafix and see if the abrasions on both the fish will disapear? Is it possible this is some wierd parasite coming out of the fish? If so, are there any steps I can take to cure the problem and/or prevent it's spread?
Sorry about the long post...
BTW, none of the fish are flashing, therefore I'm assuming that this "whatever" isn't really bothering the fish at the moment.