Fungus

[Munroco]

I noticed on of my cories has a couple of patches of fungus. Looking for recomendations for treatments for him. I have some methylene blue which I can use for a bath if necessary but I'm wondering if anyone has had success with other meds.

 

[Colin_T]

pictures of the fish so we can confirm it has fungus and not excess mucous?

 

[Byron]

Agree on a photo, but if it really is fungus, and if it is a serious case (such as on the pectoral fin spine) the only safe way to deal with it is to net the fish and hold it just above the water surface with the fungus area up (so you would be looking at it) and dab it with a cotton swab dipped in Methylene Blue. I use Malachite Green. Either will instantly kill the fungus. Just dab the area, the fungus will turn blue (or green), then release the cory back into the tank. In a day or two the fungus will drop off. This really is the only effective and safe method because the full strength kills fungus on contact (basically) and the fish is not respirating in water with whichever substance.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Agree on a photo, but if it really is fungus, the only safe way to deal with it is to net the fish and hold it just above the water surface with the fungus area up (so you would be looking at it) and dab it with a cotton swab dipped in Methylene Blue. I use Malachite Green. Either will instantly kill the fungus. Just dab the area, the fungus will turn blue (or green), then release the cory back into the tank. In a day or two the fungus will drop off. This really is the only effective and safe method because the full strength kills fungus on contact (basically) and the fish is not respirating in water with whichever substance.

That's interesting. Good to know

 

[Colin_T]

Mehtylene Blue is much safer than Malachite Green, which is carcinogenic.
You can drop the Methylene Blue onto the area instead of dabbing it on.

 

[Byron]

Mehtylene Blue is much safer than Malachite Green, which is carcinogenic.
You can drop the Methylene Blue onto the area instead of dabbing it on.

I have found it easier to use the swab soaked in the MB because my hand is steadier than with a dropper, and I don't want to let more than a drop out. But otherwise, same idea.

 

[Byron]

That's interesting. Good to know

I came across this method several years ago, but more recently I was interested to see Ian Fuller suggest the same thing as the safest and most effective. You really do not want these or any drugs/medications getting inside the cory as would occur if they are added to the tank water. That may sometimes be necessary for some issues, like gill flukes (not using MB or MG but whatever other appropriate preparation) but any substance added to the water is a last resort.

 

[Colin_T]

Funnily enough, that is how fish use to be treated many years ago. They would catch fish out and use a cotton bud soaked in mercurochrome or other chemicals and dab the infected area, then wait 30 seconds before putting the fish back in the tank.

The idea was to treat the infected area without adding the chemicals (which are quite poisonous) to the water.

 

[Munroco]

This is the best I've got so far. He has another (smaller) patch on his other side near the tai

l.

 

[Munroco]

That treatment sounds ideal. I don't want to dose the whole tank, and certainly not with something like methylene blue.

 

[JDtralee]

I came across this method several years ago, but more recently I was interested to see Ian Fuller suggest the same thing as the safest and most effective. You really do not want these or any drugs/medications getting inside the cory as would occur if they are added to the tank water. That may sometimes be necessary for some issues, like gill flukes (not using MB or MG but whatever other appropriate preparation) but any substance added to the water is a last resort.

Can you put this into a tank with love plants and snails?

 

[JDtralee]

Can you put this into a tank with love plants and snails?

Live not love

 

[Byron]

Can you put this into a tank with love plants and snails?

If you are meaning the Methylene Blue direct treatment to the fungus with a swab or dropper, you do not add the MB to the tank water. And as you are treating just the fish itself out of the water, it will not harm plants or snails. But do not add the MB to the tank water as a treatment.

 

[JDtralee]

If you are meaning the Methylene Blue direct treatment to the fungus with a swab or dropper, you do not add the MB to the tank water. And as you are treating just the fish itself out of the water, it will not harm plants or snails. But do not add the MB to the tank water as a treatment.

Thanks