sick fish

[runawaypencil]

Tank size 60 gallon 48x12x24
water changes every 3-7days 25% tap water (I have done 25% three days in a row now since he first started showing symptoms)
tank has been set up for 2 yearsish
tank mates are 3 females (one holding) and porbably 10 syno multipunctatus
tank temp is kept at 77. (now increasing temp to 83degrees
food: nls cichlid formula
very rarely salt added small amounts to the water.
parameters are zeros across the board

orignial signs. erratic swimming and almost trying to scratch him self with his head to tail, like a dog would do. was still eating and other wise acting normal...
Today has bad signs of skin problems and no longer is eating, which is why I'm posting.. Here is a link to the pic which you can see the scale problem
no other fish show any signs of anything...
problem is only on the one side of him.
not sure how old he is but he has been breeding good for me as the females hold every other month like clock work and have been since i got them, the were full grown when i got them almost 2 years ago..

more background.
i have just under 2000 gallons of tanks running in the fish room, no other signs in any of the other tanks



http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k527/runawaypencil/IMAG1084.jpg

[danielratti]

Well if you have zero nitrates you might have an issue there unless it it a very heavily planted tank. Could be parasites. Play it safe crank the temp up and add salt see if that helps any. Since its on the tail it isn't from bloat but the stress from the parasites could be what is causing him to stop eating.

[beach]

he might just be old.   

I agree with the salt idea - salt really can work wonders.   I would try to net him without stressing him too badly.

Then dilute 1/4 cup salt in 1 cup of water and pour it right over your sick fish.  Keep repeating this, you'll have to watch that you keep doing water changes so you dont get your tank too salty...     But I've done this with a fish that had its tail and most fins nearly chewed off and no color and it actually lived!!    It would be worth a try...

[Ron]

I know you mentioned no other fish are showing issues, but is this city water or well water? If city, you might be able to check the local water department website for any recent, abnormal fluctuations.