Sea Salt

[rEvolution27]

Signs of mouth rot. Whit stringy poo. Want to add sea salt. How much? and how do i add it?

 

[tttnjfttt]

By mouth rot, do you mean his lips are turning white like in this picture?

White stringy poo can mean two things, internal bacterial infection or internal parasites.

As long as the salt is pure NaCl, you add 1 tablespoon for every 5 us gallons. Check the salt before adding anything. Also, you need t oo be aware that some fish cannont tollerate salt.

What are your water stats (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH)?

 

[rEvolution27]

Yes, yes i'm getting a test kit on tuesday.
No i only have swordtails
Umm it kind looks like that but the mouth isn't really rotting away so much and it isn't so white, its just a bit pale thought its spread over a bigger suface. He's staying on the surface even though increased airation, i think it's to soothe his mouth against the surfact of the water.

Edit: should i just dump it in, or make a solition first.
Will salt help internal infection

 

[tttnjfttt]

Here is another picture for you

I only used that one because it is very easy to see.

It does sound like mouth fungus, which will mean you will need to add antibiotics. Salt can help, but it is not enough. To help treat this, add an airstone and turn the temperature down slowly to 72-24* (no more than 2* F per day). Some good antibiotics are Maracyn (eythromyicin), Kanacy (kanamyicin), and tetracycline if you are in the US. In the UK, you are pretty much limited to the interpet no. 9, which seem to be pretty popular.

I am not the writer of this information. Columnaris (mouth rot, mouth fungus, 'flex')

Symptoms

Early signs of this disease are greyish-white marks or patches around the mouth, or on the body or fins of the fish. These may appear thread-like, particularly around the mouth, giving rise to the incorrect name of 'mouth fungus'. Fins will deteriorate and sores may appear on the body. The gills may be affected, giving rise to bacterial gill disease. It may cause 'shimmying' behaviour in fishes like livebearers.
Causes

The disease is caused by the bacteria Flavobacterium colmnare, formerly known as Flexibacter columnaris. It has been refered to as 'mouth fungus' (even though the cause is bacterial), due to the whitish strands which may appear fungus-like. These are Gram-negative, rod shaped bacteria, which move by gliding across a surface.

As with many bacterial diseases, poor water quality is a major factor in triggering the disease. Sudden changes in conditions may also trigger it, and the disease is common in newly imported fish.
Possible cures

Anti-bacterial medications should cure this disease if used promptly. At later stages, the bacteria may invade internal organs, in which case only antibiotics may be effective. Several strains exist which vary in their virulence (how 'aggressively' they cause disease).

 

[rEvolution27]

Yes that's it alright. Sadly, unless i order online i can only get pond anti bacterials, metafix, or antifungals.
I will add the sea salt.
He has had this for a while now though, it's just seemed to have gotten worse. I can't go to 72 because my tank has no heater and 72 is lower than the temp of the atmosphere here.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Where exactly are you from?

Ideally, you do need to something stronger than melafix and primafix. Look at the anti fungal meds. Some of them are formulated for bacterial infections as well, since columnaris is often mistaken as fungus

 

[rEvolution27]

Wilder said my antifungal med wasn't good enough for columnaris
http/www.aquariumguys.com/aquarisol4oz.html

and i live in the caribbean (keep forgetting to edit my profile)

 

[tttnjfttt]

Add what you have, to hopefully contain the bacteria until you can order some

 

[rEvolution27]

I lost him today....
he was the first fish i ever had.