Body and mouth fungus sos

[cichlidchic]

ok, so i just discovered that i have body and mouth fungus on about half the fish in one tank. before i get reemed as to how that happened, we had
some aggression in the tank and i've never dealt with funguses, so i mistook some of these "sores" for bitemarks. long and short of it, there are now several fish in the tank that have it. i raised the temp to between 78 and 80, added salt, and melafix after a 60% water change. that was yesterday. i lost 2 more, and added melafix dose 2 today. i'm treating everyone. this morning no progress. when should i see results?

[Mzungu]

If you keep up with what you're doing, I don't think you should see anymore deaths. :( Sorry about those you've lost so far.

Not sure when actual results will appear. Depends on the level of aggression in the tank currently, and how stressed out everyone is. I think the most important thing right now is to just keep up with what you're doing especially the water changes, and keep an eye on everyone.

[imagirlgeek]

Which fish have it, and how far along is it? Is any of the fungus on the gill area? Are you sure it's a fungus? (It's pretty easy to mistake some bacterial infections for a fungus). And if you usually stay on top of your water changes and general cleanliness of the tank conditions, a fungus is pretty rare. Usually a fungus will present on weakened fish in poor water conditions (most fungus like stagnant water). Also, fungus will be kind of fluffy or thready.

Columnaris is an external bacterial infection that presents as white, fuzzy patches usually on the sides and head of fish (as opposed to a true fungus which is more fluffy or thready). You might see some inflammation around the affected areas. The fish will usually be lethargic, have clamped fins, have a loss of appetite, hide, just general "I'm sick" behavior. It has to be treated with a brood spectrum antibiotic.

And the last option is that it IS a fungal infection, with a bacterial infection underneath. This is a fungus that grows on damaged tissue due to a bacterial infection.

Just offering up some other possibilities to consider. :) And as MB said, keeping up with the water changes will help no matter what it is.

[cichlidchic]

traci i think ur right, it's not thready or fluffy. it looks like body and mouth rot. on the ones that have it, the fins are being eaten, there are large leisons on the body, a few have bloodshot dorsals, it is only in male fish, those who have it are hiding, most have it around the mouth, looking like leprocy, the flesh is literally just corroding. what should i be getting for them? and for the ones who have it, are they gonna die? or can they be saved? there are a few with just one leison, but some have severe symptoms that developed over 48 hours. in total i've lost 6 fish so far, and about that many more have it still. i'm most concerned because my large front has a leison on his side behind the gills, and his lips look like they are peeling. the longest this tank goes without a water change is 2 weeks tops. that was the case this time. but i'm running a sump filter with a mag 18 pump on it and my levels were not too terribly bad, the nitrates his 60, that was the worst. no nitrites or ammonia. the melafix says not to do water changes till after 7 days. should i be changing it more often than that or wait the 7 days?

[imagirlgeek]

For external infections, I use Erythromycin. It's been good to me. It's effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and in people is used for respiritory infections, but also skin infections. The one I use is by API and is called E.M. Erythromycin. But I'm sure there are others.

This is the description off one of the websites selling it..."EM Erythromycin is a broad spectrum treatment and control of bacterial fish disease, such as fin & tail rot, mouth fungus, open red sores, bacterial gill disease and hemorrhagic septicemia."

Good luck, and please let us know how it goes. I know how frustrating it is to lose fish, but also how fulfilling it is to save them. :)

[cichlidchic]

ok, i'll pick some up. thank you. anyone know of a petstore open today that carries it?

[cichlidchic]

update. lost one more fish, but he was pretty advanced. this bacteria or fungus whatever it is is moving really fast. the ones that were healthy that had one maybe two leisions are healing. as the wounds were closed today. next dose of melafix is tonight. i'm picking up the stuff traci recommended this afternoon after my kiddos' parties for their birthday. that was the crazies that are out right now are gone. thanks again and will keep everyone posted.

[imagirlgeek]

Thanks for the update. Crossing my fingers you don't lose anymore. :) If you didn't live in Fresno, I would have driven over to bring you some meds. It's like a fish pharmacy in this house. :)

[Zulaab]

Where is Fresno ? North Texas ?

[tbui1178]

Fresno is south 288 towards freeport, jus past pearland

[cichlidchic]

bought some, and put it in last night. sadly, i've lost 4 more peacocks and 2 of my larger frontosas. i think i cried for an hour. no more losses this morning.

[dblondfemme]

WHen I have advanced problems, I tend to binox the whole tank...after salt, temp and melafix or pimafix don't work (I try as natural as possible first). Also extra bubblers might help. Higher temps decrease oxygen content (I think I worded that right). When I notice problems with my tanks, I tend to throw in extra bubblers just to make it a little easier on them. Traci has a ton of knowledge with fish and treatments. If things don't improve I don't think trying binox could hurt. Worst it does it turn your water yellow lol.
Good luck... so sorry to hear about your losses...

[cichlidchic]

as far as air/circulation, i have a mag 18 running the sump on the 125 so i'm pretty sure there's enough oxygen. i lost 4 more, so all but 3 infected fish have died.

[geoff_tropheus]

Can you post some pics of the infected fish?

[cichlidchic]

camera isn't working right now, but it literally looks like something is eating their faces. like leprocy. large leisons that are red and frayed fins. most that were sick and died their mouths were really screwed up and died with their mouths wide open gills extended and inflamed. all my water parameters are still normal, except the nitrates which hit 60. i usually keep them between 20 and 40. it makes no sense, and i've never seen anything like it. the flesh is just stripped from these spots like it's been eaten by acid.