Very hard water and high alkilinity?

[wesleydnunder]

Puppydoglover you've got two gurus working on the parisite. Be confident they'll get it figured out.

On the water issue:
Simply adding salt will not "soften" your water. Water softeners exchange "harder" calcium and magnesium ions for "softer" sodium ions. These systems typically employ a brine tank, ion-exchange resin bottle and pumps to recharge resin pellets every night.
girlgeek mentioned using an RO system to soften your water. It will, by removing the calcium and magnesium from the water, along with most of the rest of the dissolved solids.
Monkeying with water chemistry can be a slippery slope.
As she pointed out, for your fish this isn't necessary. Carp are tough fish and are very adaptable.
If it were me, I'd up the water changes to 50% weekly. Clean, fresh water, replenished often will go a long way in keeping your fish healthy and happy.

Mark

[Puppydoglover]

Anchor worms are pretty large and easily visible.

I'm thinking it's some sort of trematode infection, or similar. Traci, can you find anything in your stuff about that? I can't remember what kind it was, and can SEE the picture of this in the big disease book at work, but don't have it with me. Argh!

If that's it, then isolation is probably good, but not terribly necessary. It's not contagious (I don't think) unless you have the source in the aquarium.

How long have you had this particular fish?

I've had this fish about 6 yrs. believe it or not. He's made it through lots of illnesses and tank disease over the years.

[Mzungu]

I've had this fish about 6 yrs. believe it or not.

That's great!

Have you added anything to the tank recently?

[Puppydoglover]

That's great!

Have you added anything to the tank recently?

yes, i added 2 plecostamus (sp?) and 2 black moor's.. all from petsmart.. ugh.. I always hate adding new things because things like this appear. it really bites. one of the pleco's and 1 of the black moor's died this past week. now this comet had a bump on his tail show up yesterday.

[Puppydoglover]

I just noticed one of the oranda's now has what looks like dandruff on his tail.. could it be the beginnings of the same thing the comet has?

[Puppydoglover]

I did call my "fish guy" and he's coming out today to take a look at these. I'll let you know what he says. :( Hope it's not terrible news.

[imagirlgeek]

Yes, please let us know what he says. Just don't give up on them. I've had fish come back from what seemed to be a guaranteed death sentence. Wesleydnunder's advice on keeping the water super clean is great advice. Clean water and low stress go so far in helping fish get healthy and stay healthy. :)

[Puppydoglover]

Thanks to everyone for their help/replies to this thread. :) you all Rock!!

[Puppydoglover]

Fish guy still hasn't shown up. Anyone know of another company in the Humble/Kingwood area that can come and check this out? Let me know. thanks in advance.

[Puppydoglover]

He showed up yesterday. Took the fish outside and brought him back in with the spot off his tail gone. I asked what he did and he plucked it off with tweezers. The fish is doing great. He's not sitting on the bottom of the tank anymore. Crossing my fingers he'll be fine and get no infection from it.

[imagirlgeek]

Did he say what it was?

[Puppydoglover]

No. I asked him if it could be anchor worm and he didn't think it was.