Is this a fungus?
- Thread starter Zerc
- Start date
Not sure if that's what you have but here's a quick search.
http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/cotton_mouth/
http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/cotton_mouth/
It is going around like mad. Dont know why. I believe this is what my Dovii had, what DMD's Midas has, and a few others I have spoke to in the past couple weeks. Also known as flexibacter columnaris. Google this and find a web site with good tips. I gave my guy a salt bath with bifuran and it has seemed to work well. Also treated the tank with salt and potassium permanganate.
I would not treat with Melafix. I would go straight to the stronger stuff. 50% water changes daily with salt and PP, if not doing a bath. The bacteria feeds off of un eaten food. Clean the gravel thoroughly and under all items in the tank. Take out any wood and completely clean off in sink with cold water. Lower temp in tank to 74 degrees, the columnaris bacteria thrives on temps above 75. If the fungus gets into the jaws of the fish the fish is done. Once the fishes lips protrude out and stay there, the fish is done. So fix it now.
I would not treat with Melafix. I would go straight to the stronger stuff. 50% water changes daily with salt and PP, if not doing a bath. The bacteria feeds off of un eaten food. Clean the gravel thoroughly and under all items in the tank. Take out any wood and completely clean off in sink with cold water. Lower temp in tank to 74 degrees, the columnaris bacteria thrives on temps above 75. If the fungus gets into the jaws of the fish the fish is done. Once the fishes lips protrude out and stay there, the fish is done. So fix it now.
I put in some pimafix tonight as it was all i had on hand. Also added 1 tbspn salt per 5 gallons. where can i pick up some PP ?
(i vacuum my all my gravel weekly, and do a 50% WC weekly) ill increase that i guess!
Ill wash wood tomorrow, i have close to somewhere close to 80 lbs of wood. :-\
(i vacuum my all my gravel weekly, and do a 50% WC weekly) ill increase that i guess!
Ill wash wood tomorrow, i have close to somewhere close to 80 lbs of wood. :-\
There was some loss of enthusiasm at feeding time tonight, though everyone still ate.
Here is a pic of the fish in question with his dinner:
(that is 1/3 of a worm, not the whole thing!)
ig:
That said, it is a 2 dollar fish, maybe i should flush it and hope it doesnt/hasnt spread to other fish while i continue treatment?
Also, this evening, the fuzz is almost completely gone. Don't know if that's an improvement or not after reading about what you say it is but there is that.
Here is a pic of the fish in question with his dinner:
(that is 1/3 of a worm, not the whole thing!)
ig: That said, it is a 2 dollar fish, maybe i should flush it and hope it doesnt/hasnt spread to other fish while i continue treatment?
Also, this evening, the fuzz is almost completely gone. Don't know if that's an improvement or not after reading about what you say it is but there is that.
I feel for you Zerc, since I have been going through the same issue I too questioned the cost of the fish as opposed to the treatment time/cost. My Midas was only $8 but I have had him now for almost 3 years and he is unique in how peaceful he is.
I was mad that I lost my WC argentea, that was $59 down the drain. I had just noticed the argentea acting weird and was just going to start treatment and she was gone. She did not show any mouth related issues at all. She had a small cut on her side that fuzzed up and a lack of appetite. With normal water changes the fuzz went away but she stopped eating altogether.
With this recent outbreak I have got discouraged but I am still holding out hope for my big guy. Looks to me you are catching the problem pretty early and the fact that he is still eating is a big plus!
I was mad that I lost my WC argentea, that was $59 down the drain. I had just noticed the argentea acting weird and was just going to start treatment and she was gone. She did not show any mouth related issues at all. She had a small cut on her side that fuzzed up and a lack of appetite. With normal water changes the fuzz went away but she stopped eating altogether.
With this recent outbreak I have got discouraged but I am still holding out hope for my big guy. Looks to me you are catching the problem pretty early and the fact that he is still eating is a big plus!