Mouth Fungus Questions?

[bettachick49]

AHHH... i'm going to scream. Does anyone know how long it usually takes for mouth fungus to clear up? Is it possible that it spreads to all of the body before going away? I have two female bettas who currently have mouth fungus and I would really like to know what to expect from the disease so that I won't go crazy. I am treating the fish with Maracyn 1&2 and Maroxy they are in a ten gallon together. Should I move them to a smaller tank to treat them I have a two gallon that is used as my hospital tank. What should I do to try and fight this with my fish I have all the meds that Mardel puts out for fungus. Is there anything else I should do. Thanks.
Amanda

 

[vancouver]

I don't know if mouth fungus could spread to the body, but I do believe it will spread from fish to fish.

 

[WILDER]

Yes it can it goes along the back of a fish going down the sides of a fish to form a saddle, it's called saddleback columnaris, sounds like you really have a bad strain of columnaris in your tank.
There is an antibiotic called tetracycline which you can add to the tank, but it will wipe most of the bacteria colony out in your filter.

Tetracycline
Manufacturer: Aquatronics
A broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of gram-positive and some gram-negative bacterial infections. For infections of fin and tail rot, frayed fins, popeye, inflamed gills, mouth and body open sores/ulcers, livebearer disease, dropsy, Columnaris, and secondary infections such as fungal. Specific for livebearers and goldfish. Aerate the aquarium well when using. Useful for the control of some common bacterial diseases, including Aeromonias and Pseudomonas Genera and the Mysobacterial group.

 

[bettachick49]

Yes it can it goes along the back of a fish going down the sides of a fish to form a saddle, it's called saddleback columnaris, sounds like you really have a bad strain of columnaris in your tank.
There is an antibiotic called tetracycline which you can add to the tank, but it will wipe most of the bacteria colony out in your filter.

Tetracycline
Manufacturer: Aquatronics
A broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of gram-positive and some gram-negative bacterial infections. For infections of fin and tail rot, frayed fins, popeye, inflamed gills, mouth and body open sores/ulcers, livebearer disease, dropsy, Columnaris, and secondary infections such as fungal. Specific for livebearers and goldfish. Aerate the aquarium well when using. Useful for the control of some common bacterial diseases, including Aeromonias and Pseudomonas Genera and the Mysobacterial group.

Thanks for the help wilder. It's not all along her back anymore I can barely see any of it. It was coming out of her gills and now its gone. Where did it go? Did it go back into her body/gills or did it drop off somewhere? She is starting to look better but I still have to treat it for five days or more as instructed. I checked the pH in the water and it is 7.6 it that too high I think I remember reading somewhere that it needs to be around 7.2 it that true? If my pH is too high how do I lower it? Someone told me you can use baking soda can that harm the fish? Thanks.
Amanda

 

[WILDER]

It's going away then thats a good sign, just leave the ph they will be ok with it, what other fish are in the tank, as if you have no scaless fish you could add some salt to the tank.

 

[bettachick49]

It's going away then thats a good sign, just leave the ph they will be ok with it, what other fish are in the tank, as if you have no scaless fish you could add some salt to the tank.

It's just her, she is the only one in the tank because I have mostly bettas and I didn't want it to spread it to the other fish. What pH is too high for the fish? and what do I do to bring it back down if it gets too high? Now about the salt can I use table salt or cooking salt? How much do I add in a ten gallon tank? and do I just drop it in there? Gosh I really do hope it's going away. Thanks.
Amanda

 

[WILDER]

Right leave the ph alone as it could kill her messing with it, it could be the meds altering it, if she get well though you will have to climatise back to her own tank ph.
For the salt, table salt usually one tablespoon to 5gal, so if its a ten gal tank just add a tablespoon for now, best off gradually adding salt slowly over a period of time.

 

[bettachick49]

Right leave the ph alone as it could kill her messing with it, it could be the meds altering it, if she get well though you will have to climatise back to her own tank ph.
For the salt, table salt usually one tablespoon to 5gal, so if its a ten gal tank just add a tablespoon for now, best off gradually adding salt slowly over a period of time.

Will that hurt her if I add it now?
Amanda.

 

[WILDER]

No the salt will do her good, plus columnaris hates salt, don't mess with the ph, as she will be climatised to is now, as it will stress her and could kill her.

 

[bettachick49]

No the salt will do her good, plus columnaris hates salt, don't mess with the ph, as she will be climatised to is now, as it will stress her and could kill her.

Okay thank you so much Wilder you are a life saver. I'm gonna go add the salt right now. Thanks so muhc.
Amanda

 

[WILDER]

Ok good luck.

Good article on salt for you to read.
http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...?article_id=335

 

[vancouver]

I hope youre using aquarium salt and not table salt

 

[WILDER]

Makes no difference table salt is fine.

 

[bettachick49]

Makes no difference table salt is fine.

Hello. Wilder if your on here, I have some more questions (sorry there are so many) but after I am done treating my betta (she looks so much better but the package said to treat for five days even if symptoms are gone) but anyways after the five days should I do a tank cleaning? Should I add anything to her water(she won't be the only betta in the ten gallon when her mouth fungus is gone she is getting new friends; other female bettas) Should I try to lower the pH when she is healthy? and what should I use to lower it? someone said baking soda but I don't know if that will harm the fish, will it? Also if you are someone else besides Wilder and know the answer to some of these questions please answer them that would help soo much. Thanks alot.
Amanda

 

[WILDER]

Do a water change and a gravel vac, then add the med again maracyn one and two, don't add fish to the tank for a least a month, plus what is your tap ph.