Angel Has Fungus Over Spinal Area

[Rhiannon]

My poor angel has come down with a really really bad fungus that has taken over the whole top of her body. She also has red streaks going over her spinal area.

What could this be?

She hasnt eaten in 2 days and just sits infront of the bubbles from the filter.

She also has a bloated belly.

What should I do?

Should I treat the water?

Do fish feel pain? Is she in alot of pain from this?

All of my other fish are fine and swimming around and having a blast and eating very very well.

Could they catch it too?

Thanks

 

[Tolak]

First you should fill this out, it will help folks diagnose the problem your fish is having;

Tank size:
pH:
ammonia:
nitrite:
nitrate:
kH:
gH:
tank temp:

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):

Volume and Frequency of water changes:

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:

Tank inhabitants:

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):

Exposure to chemicals:

Digital photo (include if possible):



Columnaris many times is mistaken for fungus. It's a bacterial disease not a fungal disease. Red streaking is bacterial as well, probably bacterial septicemia. The bloating could be bacterial, or could be related to diet, depending on what & how much the fish has been fed.

A pic will help with figuring what needs to be treated how, usually septicemia is worse than columnaris, but a fast moving strain of columnaris can be just as bad.

 

[Rhiannon]

I wil ltry and get a pic.

Can multicure fi this problem?

I went out for 3hrs before and came home and the fungus' looking stuff has grown 3 times larger. Very very upsetting for me, I feel very sorry for the fish.

 

[Tolak]

Multicure is more of a fungal med, you will need a good antibiotic. Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is usually the best med for septicemia, sulfa based meds work well for columnaris. Seeing as you are in Australia I have no idea if these meds are available for treatment of fish. If they aren't available I would start with Maracyn & Maracyn II. These are usually available at any good lfs.

 

[Rhiannon]

Yes

Being in Austrlia, I dont know, so I will have to have a look.

I am going to put Multicure in the water today anyway just incase.

I will tell you an exact discription..it looks like cotton wool. Like if you pull a peice of cotton wool apart and it becomes stringy, thats what it looks like on her spine.

 

[QuotheRaven]

now on the spine is it along the spine or across it like a saddle?

Also the Boronia aquarium (the large one) seems to have a decent amount of meds also Fish and feather has a few meds for sale.

 

[Rhiannon]

First it was along the spine for say 1/2 cm, now since I went out, it has spread outwards across the spine, and its just like fluff thats hanging off her.

 

[Rhiannon]

Have put multicure in the water. Hopefully it heals little miss zebra and noone else gets it.

 

[kribensis12]

The cottony stuff is probably cotton wool desease. Try anti-fungus I have used it many times and it is a great med. Even though I hate petsmart, they are about the only ones that carry it. I also hate petco but I think they carry it to. Get the liqiud form it works faster, and it also stains plastic.

 

[Rhiannon]

She passed away this evening. I am very very upset. Thanks for your help.

 

[LisaLQ]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;hl=columnaris

Read Kathy's thread, it definitely sounds like columnaris, you'll need to carry on treating the tank as it sounds like a particularly aggressive strain to kill her so quickly (like Kathy's).

Myxazin and Pimafix are what I was recommended when we had it in our tank - but with you being in Aus, I dont know if you can get those there?

 

[Tolak]

Often times fungus will take over where columnaris has damaged the skin. If you treat only what you see, which is the fungus, you are not treating the underlying problem. You really need to jump on a fast moving columnaris, it can kill rapidly. True fungus on it's own is much more rare.

 

[Rhiannon]

Ok I will read her thread and get to the LFS today.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Rhiannon]

Also, sorry to be a nusance, but reading that thread it says to add salt.

Now I have a baby bristlenose, 3 albino corys, 3 guppies, 1 baby guppy (he is about 1.5cm long now) and 2 blue rams.

I know that salt can hurt the BN and corys, what should I do, can I still add it?

 

[WILDER]

Sorry R.I.P.
Some water changes on your tank for a few days.
It was columnaris which can go along the back and down the sides to form a saddle shape.
The red streaking was septicemia.