Help with neon mouth fungus

[Neonlights]

Hi,
I’ve just discovered this forum and signed up to ask for advice on my fish. I have 6 neons and one of them developed what appears to be mouth fungus about 2 weeks ago. As soon as I noticed it I bought Waterlife Protozon Whitespot/Fungus Treatment and treated the whole tank for 3 consecutive days. At that point the fish was always very solitary, hanging almost vertically, face pointing down, and not really eating. It’s now been about 10 days since treatment and the fungus has not cleared up, it’s potentially a little bigger. The fish though seems healthy otherwise.

I’m concerned about what to do now as I don’t want to risk cross contamination to the other fish but also don’t have a second tank to quarantine in. Can anyone who’s faced this before offer some advice?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Is there any possibility of pictures of the said fish? (to determine how bad this actually is)

 

[Neonlights]

I’ll try to get a good one in the morning

 

[Neonlights]

Here are a couple photos

 

[Essjay]

There have been a few threads recently reporting neons with white mouths. It would appear to be a new virus which affects neon tetras. Being a virus, there's no cure.

 

[Neonlights]

There have been a few threads recently reporting neons with white mouths. It would appear to be a new virus which affects neon tetras. Being a virus, there's no cure.

So is my only option to ethuenise the fish? If so, what is the humane way to do that?

 

[Essjay]

No, most people who have affected fish let them live out their lifespan. They don't euthanise them unless the fish has problems eating.

 

[Neonlights]

No, most people who have affected fish let them live out their lifespan. They don't euthanise them unless the fish has problems eating.

That would be my preference but isn’t there a chance it could infect the other neons?

 

[Colin_T]

if one fish in the tank has the virus, they all have it. no point killing it if it still eats well and isn't having trouble swimming or breathing

 

[Neonlights]

if one fish in the tank has the virus, they all have it. no point killing it if it still eats well and isn't having trouble swimming or breathing

It’s been 3 weeks and none of the others show symptoms, is it possible they have it but aren’t affected by it? How can I confirm if it’s a virus or mouth fungus?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Have you tried treating it with an actual medication that says “treats mouth fungus”? (Like API Fungus Cure?)

 

[Colin_T]

mouth fungus (Columnaris) is a flesh eating bacteria that kills fish in a day or two of showing the white puffy lips. your fish doesn't have mouth fungus (Columnaris).

it's highly possible the other fish simply have a little more resistance to the virus and aren't showing the symptoms yet.

 

[Neonlights]

mouth fungus (Columnaris) is a flesh eating bacteria that kills fish in a day or two of showing the white puffy lips. your fish doesn't have mouth fungus (Columnaris).

it's highly possible the other fish simply have a little more resistance to the virus and aren't showing the symptoms yet.

That’s reassuring it isn’t mouth fungus but hopefully the other fish will be more resistant. Do I just sit it out? The treatment I already applied says it’s for all fungus infections and neon tetra disease so I can’t think what else to do other than remove the fish with symptoms.

 

[Colin_T]

Waterlife Protozin is used to treat external protozoan infections. It probably has Formaldehyde in and that can kill some bacteria and fungus. However, this is a virus and anti-biotics, anti-fungal remedies, and anti-protozoan treatments do absolutely nothing to viruses.

Bacterial infections like neon disease and Columnaris need anti-biotics.
Fungal infections need anti-fungal medication.
External protozoan infections need anti-protozoan treatments.
Viruses need anti-viral medications and there are none for fish.

The only way to treat a virus in fish and most animals, is to try and boost the animal/ fish's immune system and let the fish fight off the disease. To boost the immune system you feed them regularly on a varied diet, maybe add a vitamin supplement, keep the water temperature correct for the species of fish, and keep the tank clean. If the fish is in good conditions it will usually live with the virus and be fine.