Fungus? Pls. Help

[targa66]

My male swordtail had a white growth in front of his gonopodium(sp?) - it almost looked tube like so I thought he had a prolapsed gut or something(???) (At first I thought it was just strange white poo.) It now looks smaller and a bit fluffy so I'm wondering if it's fungus? His fins aren't clamped, but he's just hanging out quietly in the plants and not eating. I tried to take a photo but it's very blurry.

What do I do?? I'd like to save him but more than anything I don't want my other fish to get sick. I've got him in my large tank (40x100mm; ammonia & nitrate 0; ph 7; other fish - 3 female swordtails, 4 guppies plus about 7 guppy fry, 7 assorted tetras, temp 77). Do I need to move him and try medication? I do have a separate small tank but it is currently occupied by about 17 guppy fry that were born last week!

thanks,
Shelly

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Shelly,

I'm having the same trouble at the moment. One of my mollies is suffering from fungus. It's not usually life threatening until the late stages so don't worry too much.

Buy Protozin. It's a copper based medication which treats fungus. I always like to have a bottle lurking about just in case. Follow the instructions and your fish should be just fine.

I wouldn't advise moving your fish to the other tank to be treated if there are fry in it, because where fry are present, the dosage must be halved, and therefore not giving your swordtail so much benefit. Also it cant be used with elephantnoses or fresh water rays, i think, its on the instructions.

Just treat the main tank. Make sure to remove activated carbon for the duration of the treatment if you are using it. Be careful not to exceed the stated dose and it will not adversely affect your de-nitrifying bacteria or your other fish. Hope this helps.

Probably best to post a pic if you can, so someone can give a second opinion on the diagnosis, if you are unsure at all. You could also try looking it up in google.

Good luck.

 

[targa66]

Many thanks. I'm off to the fish store today so I'll pick up some Protozin. The swordtail is still just hanging out in a secluded spot and not eating. Hopefully this won't spread to my other fish!!
If I can get a decent photo (that is - anything that doesn't just look like an orange blur) will post it.
thanks again,
Shelly