Angel has fungus??

[andywatkins]

Hello all,

My wife and I are quite new to tropical fish, but seem to be doing OK. However this morning I noticed our little white angel is not eating and has a "fungal growth" on one side of her.

I took a picture, see below, which I took to the fish shop, they said it is Fish Fungus and have prescribed a generic anti bacterial chemical called "Myxazin" from Waterlife research Ind Ltd. It says it is for the treatment of Fin rot, body rot, ulcers and other bacterial infections. I took this off the side of the box.

Is the diagnosis and prescribed solution reasonable? The little Angel is called Harmony and is one of my favourites, I wouldn't want her to die

Thanks

Andy Watkins

http/www.andy.watkins.dsl.pipex.com/fish%20pics.htm

 

[wuvmybetta]

Hiya andy
I don't know much about meds from the other side of the pond, but that stuff sounds like it might do the trick. It appears to be columnaris on your angel. Anti-bacterial meds such as the one you have and a pinch of salt (unless you have scaleless fish!) should be given ASAP. It's highly contagious, do you have a hospital tank?

Your angel probably rubbed up against something closely and damaged his side,which brought on a fungle attack

 

[andywatkins]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I am afraid it has got worse. The green stuff I bought does not appear to have done any good, though I will continue to put it in the tank to try and stop any others getting infected.

The little white angel was found this morning floating upside down near the bottom of the tank. I have transferred her to a bucket, I don't have a proper 2nd tank. She is still upside down and the fungus seems to be spreading. I don't think much will save her now

I am adding some salt to the bucket though as you suggest.

Any other advice for saving the Angel or ensuring the safety of the others in the main tank all gratefully received

 

[GP]

Is she breathing at all? Is she moving?

 

[wuvmybetta]

You'll definately need some sort of air circulation in the bucket,an airstone at the very least. Keep her somewhere warm too I'm sorry this has happened to you, from what I understand of columnaris, it's a rapid disease and usually kills in about 24 hours
I'll pm somebody from your neck of the woods and see if they know of a good med

 

[andywatkins]

Hi all,

No the Angel died about an hour after I posted this morning.

Whatever it was really went to work quick. I am continuing the anti fungus treatment in case any other fish are affected. Currently all look very happy and lively.

I had a problem with the filter in the pump which meant for 1-2 weeks it was pumping air well below normal amount and making the fish gasp for air. I finally worked out what the problem was, cleaned gunge out of impeller and pump back working fine. All the fish have now recovered from their listlessness except the angel who seems to have caught this fungus and died, may not have been related problems....

Andy

 

[andywatkins]

I have just done a search through Yahoo on columnaris and it does look as though that is what the Angel had. It also looks as though the problem with the filter pump probably caused enough oxygen problems to make her succeptable to it.

Sometimes we learn our lessons the hard way

 

[wuvmybetta]

I'm terribly sorry, but at least you figured out what could have cased it. There's nothing worse than losing one of your favorite fish and having no idea why.