what is this?

[daz]

I have a red flame gourami in my tank and on its right side near the gills there is an enormous white spot on the scales. It's about the size of a dime and I haven't been watching close enough to see if any of the other fish are attacking it to cause this. What is this white stuff on the scales and what should be done about it?

[vjvl51]

Most white patches are a fungus or bacterial infection. Here is a web site that describes fungus infections - both cotton wool and gill rot.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1791&articleid=587

Here is a web site that describes bacterial infections

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1791&articleid=584

Hopefully with these pictures and descriptions, you will be able to decide on a treatment. If this doesn't help, please try to post a better description and your water parameters (ammonia, nitrites, pH, temp, etc).

Vickie

PS Don't forget tank size and type of filter and any other fish in the tank.

Thanks