My Tropical Fish World

The most common type of fungus is called Saprolegnia this causes cotton wool like growths to appear on the fins, gills, mouth and eyes of infected fish. This disease normally effects fish that are suffering from other illnesses such as
White Spot .

Symptoms Of Tropical Fish Fungus Disease

Cotton wool like tuffs appear or a fine layer of cobwebs or dusty fungus. This disease can often be confused with mouth a separate mouth infection that is caused by slime bacterium and may not be cured by all treatments that prioritise on treating the body fungus.

Treatment Of Tropical Fish Fungus Disease

An old dated method to deal with this disease was to place the infected fish in a salt bath. More modern treatments for fungus infections include Liquitox, Furanaceor Phenoxethol . Treatments are usually based on malachite green which can either be added to the water or painted directly onto the infected fish. Antibiotics can be used but these must be obtained from a vet.

White Spot Ich (Ichthyophthiriasis, ichthyophthirius) is one of the most common tropical freshwater fish diseases its marine equivalent is called Cryptocaryon irritans. This parasite is also very easy to spot as the name suggests that the fish will become covered with tiny white spots on its body and fins. When the parasite reaches its full size it bursts out leaving a hole behind. If there is a significant number of parasites then the fish can begin to lose body fluids and the skin can appear as if its burnt. This disease is of a cyclic nature. The disease leaves the body and then forms cysts on the aquarium floor. Once hatched the parasite is free swimming seeking a new host. This is the stage where the disease should be treated. This whole process takes only 12 – 24 hours.

Symptoms Of White Spot Ich

As mentioned this disease is easy to spot and there should be little confusion with other fish diseases.

Treatment Of White Spot Ich

The majority of fish can cope with this disease but when the fish is stressed its immune systems is weak and the parasite multiplies. The disease responds well to proprietary remedies available from your local aquarium store. The treatment is for the tank and therefore should be administered in the community tank.

Velvet Oodinium belong to a group of parasites known as dinoflagellates, which is related to algae and contain chlorophyll. It is a fairly common disease to diagnose as the fish is covered with a layer of fine gold dust. The marine equivalent is called Coral Fish Disease Amyloodinium.

Symptoms Of Velvet And Coral Disease

This disease is quite easy to diagnose as the body of the fish is covered with a fine gold dust giving it a velvety look. The parasite goes through a similar process as the parasite that causes White Spot. The is another disease caused by the O.pillularis where the color is more brown. The gills of fish can be damaged with this disease. Treatment Of Velvet And Coral Disease Velvet disease is normally treated by copper based treatments, but they are toxic
to invertebrates and should not be administered to marine tanks if they contain them. It is advisable to establish long term bath cures like methylene blue, however fish medicine is constantly evolving so also discuss your fish heath problems with your local aquarium store to see if there is any new and better medicine available.
Avoid using methylene blue in tanks with biological filtration.