I have a 20G planted tank with five serpae tetras and four lemon tetras. The fish
were transplanted from another tank, and I have had them for more than a year. One
of the serpae tetras has what looks like oodinium, a light gold sprinkling along
the top. When I first got this group and noticed this on the one fish I thought it
was surely oodinium and treated with copper. Nothing much happened except that
quite a few tiny snails came out of the substrate and started a trek up the glass.
The suspected oodinium did not change at all. The fish appeared to be healthy in
all other respects and has continued to be so.

Now, a year or more later, the fish continues in apparent good health and with no
increase or decrease in the spots. Also, no spots on any other fish. The new
aquarium has much stronger lighting, which makes the spots more visible.

I have to ask, is there something else that mimics the gold dust description of
oodinium ? Could it possibly be a natural coloration ? I am reluctant to treat the
aquarium or even to pull the fish out for treatment given the history, but am
interested to hear comments from the group.

George