My male tuxedo guppy Martini has a moderate case of fungus... on one of his pectoral fins ans on one side of his tail. I've read that I can turn the temp up to 30 degrees Celcius... is that true? I am treating it with meds, but would upping the temperature help?
Can I turn up the temp?
- Thread starter SPLiSH
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Porthious the Gourami
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A fishes heat tolerance depends on the breed. For example, gouramis can tolerate 32 to 33 degrees Celcius with exellent results, but corydora catfish can not stand temperatures that high. Putting the temperature up by one degree Celcius every day for your guppy untill 30 degrees Celcius can do no harm. Guppies are tough.
The effect of heat on the fish is that it increases the antibodies in the blood stream which, in turn, helps to fight infection.
Personally what I would do, and what has proved to be 100 percent effective in curing fungal problems in my fish, is to add 3 grams of salt per litre of tank water.
This means that if you have a 10 litre tank then add about 1 and a half level tablespoons of salt. I like to measure it precisely, but over the thumb is okay if you have no way to measure it. Alternatively you can give your fish a salt bath in a well washed bowl or bucket. This is probably advisable as you do not want to mix the salt with other medications. (In the past, medications have done my lot no good at all). If you have a normal sized 10 litre bucket then add 30 grams of salt and mix well before allowing the fish to get a bath, for 15 to 30 minutes. Make sure that if you do use this method, to include some gravel, and plant ornaments in the bucket or bowl, so that the little fella has somewhere to hide.
Good luck with Martini,
Porthious the Gourami
The effect of heat on the fish is that it increases the antibodies in the blood stream which, in turn, helps to fight infection.
Personally what I would do, and what has proved to be 100 percent effective in curing fungal problems in my fish, is to add 3 grams of salt per litre of tank water.
This means that if you have a 10 litre tank then add about 1 and a half level tablespoons of salt. I like to measure it precisely, but over the thumb is okay if you have no way to measure it. Alternatively you can give your fish a salt bath in a well washed bowl or bucket. This is probably advisable as you do not want to mix the salt with other medications. (In the past, medications have done my lot no good at all). If you have a normal sized 10 litre bucket then add 30 grams of salt and mix well before allowing the fish to get a bath, for 15 to 30 minutes. Make sure that if you do use this method, to include some gravel, and plant ornaments in the bucket or bowl, so that the little fella has somewhere to hide.
Good luck with Martini,
Porthious the Gourami
OP
OP
SPLiSH
Bettas are better!
Well, I've just put them (Martini and my other gup, Tequila) in the salt bath. I called my LFS and they said to use cooking salt, as it is the purest form, with no additives or preservatives. I put 30 grams in, like you said Porthious. 
I also put my spare heater in, so the bucket temp was the same as the tank temp.
Should I only do this once, or repeat it? If so, how often?
EDIT: Sorry, didn't see your post Inchworm. Yep, Martini definately has fungus: white fuzzy patches on his tail and pectoral fins. And I'm treating Tequila as well, just as a precaution. No, he wasn't injured: the guppy tanks' water at my LFS is a bit 
and the gups I bought were the healthiest there. They only started showing signs of sickness a day after I brought them home! I acclimated them properly, but it seems that the stress that comes with being introduced to a new tank caused it.
Thanks everyone: I'll post the results of the salt bath! They seem a lot better!
I also put my spare heater in, so the bucket temp was the same as the tank temp. Should I only do this once, or repeat it? If so, how often?
EDIT: Sorry, didn't see your post Inchworm.
Yep, Martini definately has fungus: white fuzzy patches on his tail and pectoral fins. And I'm treating Tequila as well, just as a precaution. No, he wasn't injured: the guppy tanks' water at my LFS is a bit and the gups I bought were the healthiest there. They only started showing signs of sickness a day after I brought them home! I acclimated them properly, but it seems that the stress that comes with being introduced to a new tank caused it. Thanks everyone: I'll post the results of the salt bath! They seem a lot better!
Hi SPLiSH
The reason I asked is because it sounds like your fish has a bacterial infection rather than a true fungus. They are often confused. If this is the case, and it usually is, turning up the temperature is not a good thing to do because it will enable the harmful bacteria to multiply more quickly.
A temperature of no higher than 75-76 degrees F. or 24 degrees C. is the best during treatment. Also, be sure to do frequent water changes because this will also help to eliminate these bacteria and cure the fish.
The reason I asked is because it sounds like your fish has a bacterial infection rather than a true fungus. They are often confused. If this is the case, and it usually is, turning up the temperature is not a good thing to do because it will enable the harmful bacteria to multiply more quickly.
A temperature of no higher than 75-76 degrees F. or 24 degrees C. is the best during treatment. Also, be sure to do frequent water changes because this will also help to eliminate these bacteria and cure the fish.
Hi SPLiSH
It's always best to make gradual changes in temperature, so please let it drop slowly.
The amount and size of your water changes depends on how efficient your filter is and how many fish you have in the tank. If you only have the two in your signature, once a week should do it. However, guppies can be messy eaters and if food remains uneaten on the bottom, it will spoil and feed harmful bacteria. Using a gravel vac to clean up will help eliminate this condition.
If your tank is cycled, a water change of 25% or even more would be good.
It's always best to make gradual changes in temperature, so please let it drop slowly.
The amount and size of your water changes depends on how efficient your filter is and how many fish you have in the tank. If you only have the two in your signature, once a week should do it. However, guppies can be messy eaters and if food remains uneaten on the bottom, it will spoil and feed harmful bacteria. Using a gravel vac to clean up will help eliminate this condition.
If your tank is cycled, a water change of 25% or even more would be good.
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