Cottonmouth?

[gaya]

Hi there guys,

Ok...I have a lovely angel pair and both seem to have cotton mouth. It doesn't really look like cotton though more like enlarged fat lips with a small growth on them. I saw them lip locking a week or two ago so I don't know if that contributed or not. They are in a planted tank with tetras and a plec but I can move them to a different planted tank so they are alone. Should i just do several water changes and wait? or medicate? I'm always afraid of killing my plants when I use meds. Any suggestions would be great

please help as soon as you can
thanks!
gi

 

[WILDER]

What does the growth look like on the lips can you explain in more detail.

 

[The-Wolf]

cottonmouth is actually a bacterial infection and not a fungus.
it is caused by Flexibacter columnaris and should be treated with an anti-bacterial med.

if you are unsure it is columaris (the more correct name) then I would treat with melafix and daily water changes.
if it is just bruising caused by the "lip locking" then melafix will help this too.

check this out to help you diagnose your fish better
http/www.fishdoc.co.uk/disease/clinicalsigns.htm

 

[WILDER]

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/hdcolumn.htm

 

[gaya]

What does the growth look like on the lips can you explain in more detail.

I wish I had a pic and I'm at school right now. On the female her lower lip looks bigger and the middle of it points a little bit. It's looks white. The males mouth just looks puffier over all, swollen and whitish. It's really hard to explain. They are eating well, are very active (just got done with another unsucessful spawn) and acting normal. I am late doing a water change though. It should have bee done a few days ago so I'm sure that's not helping. One thing I've been doing differently is that I recently started using a python if that matters. I try to make sure the water is the same/similar temp and just add conditioner as it fills so I can't imagine that doing anything. Last water change I probably took out too much water (like 50%) but that doesn't seem like it would do anything. I do hav a real bad case of hair algae in that tank and I saw a bit of greem slime algae that I took out (i know that's bacterial).

hmmmm

 

[WILDER]

It does sound like it could be infected with the swelling, i would try melafix for now, and if no improvement in a few days you will have to use a bacteria med, good luck.

 

[gaya]

Thanks for the advice/help guys