Fungus????? Parasite?????

[bunny]

I noticed today that my black sail fin molly has this white-ish stuff on him. It's fluffy, and looks a bit like snot/mucus (for lack of a better description). It looks like a big glob, about the size of the tip of a small finger (maybe smaller) and it's connected to him by a smaller string of it. It looks like it's in front of his fins, on the underside a little to the side. It's hard to tell, but it looks like there may be an injury there. The other fish keep picking at the stuff. Is this fungus? Parasite? Infection from an injury (he's usually picking on the other fish, maybe one of them fought back). How do I treat this?

He's in a 10 gallon tank with three other male mollies. Readings are okay.

Thanks in advance...

 

[a_ellis]

I'm not 100% sure; but, it sounds like a fungus to me due to the "fluffy" nature of the stuff. Medicate with a product like Fungus Clear tablets available at wal-mart if you're in the u.s.

 

[bunny]

Thanks.

I have Maroxy from Mardel. It's an antifungal solution.

Just a little update... the stuff was knocked off of him, and I can't see anything on him that would be the source. It's strange.

I did a water change after I noticed the stuff gone. I've added some salt and I'll medicate now. He ate fine, but seems to be a little bothered by the other fish.

 

[a_ellis]

Hopefully your fish will turn out just fine. Lots of luck! -Angie

 

[WILDER]

If you have no scaless fish just add some salt to the tank for a week, one tablespoon to 5 gal.

 

[bunny]

Okay, the stuff hanging from my fish comes off then appears again. Almost as if it's oozing from him.

I'm still treating with Maroxy (antifungal solution), as per Mardel's diagnosis guide providing this is at the site of an injury. It seems to be the only thing I can think of that it might be. I also added salt to the water.

He's not showing any improvement. Behavior is, for the most part, normal. I have caught him twice today lurking at the bottom of the tank. He's eating normally.

Is there anything else I should be doing?

 

[bunny]

Well, he died. I found him this morning, but I did suspect last night that I was going to lose him.

Is there anything I can do to make sure the other fish in the tank remain healthy? Should I continue to medicate for a couple of days in case?

He still had the stuff oozing from him, so I'm assuming he had an infection from some sort of injury (my sailfins seem to be somewhat agressive and he probably fought with another fish). I'm just worried about the other fish in the tank now. My only store bought fish is in there and I've had him for a year and a half, I'd really hate to lose him as well.

 

[WILDER]

If you have no scaless fish just treat the tank with salt for a week, one tablespoon to 5 gal, sorry for your loss, or some melafix.