fungal disease and fungal infections recognize and fight: In a new episode to the fish diseases, we come to one more externally detectable disease to speak. We're talking about fungal infections and fungal diseases on ornamental fish. How to recognize these, what causes the fungal diseases can have and what helps against them, we present as well as the different treatment methods. In the relevant literature one reads again and again about it fish mold or water mold. But let's get to the recognition first. As always, we have also attached some pictures.
Identify fungal diseases correctly
The fungal disease is usually quite easy to recognize, because cotton-like white spots appear on the skin of the fish, which can look like a fungus. It can also often be compared to mold. This can occur almost all places. Be it in the mouth area of the fish, or on the fins. The type and origin of the fish also does not seem to play a role. In addition, threads can also arise, which can spread quite long.
Causes and development of fungal diseases
In the aquarium you can very often find dissolved fungi in the form of spores. Usually this also has to do with the water hygiene to do. This is also not a problem with healthy fish. It only becomes critical when the fish are already weakened and the defense system no longer works. In addition, it may also be that the fish by external skin injuries are susceptible to such diseases. These injuries can come from turf wars with other fish, for example. Sharp stones and other furnishings can also be the cause here. Bite wounds from other fish can also trigger a fungal disease.
There are also different ones fungal genera to carry.
This fungus is particularly often found in the sludge of uneaten food and fish excrement.
But injuries to the skin can also be the cause. The protective layer is missing here and fungal spores can quickly spread. There is also bacterial infections, which increase the growth of a fungal disease.
fin rot and fungal diseases
Very often there is between the fin rot and a fungal disease, because the animals are already weakened here and it can happen that fungi appear in the affected areas in addition to the fin rot. The reason for this is also the already damaged skin.
Eliminate the causes of the fungal disease
Of course, you should react quickly if you discover the fungal disease in your ornamental fish. To do this, it is necessary to examine exactly how this could have happened and which fish are all affected. Usually only certain fish are affected and not the entire stock.
If you have neglected water hygiene, you should make up for it as soon as possible. Also you should water values control exactly. A Water change can't hurt. Only then can the affected fish be treated.
treat ornamental fish
We recommend giving those affected fish in a separate tank, because this allows the treatment to be carried out better. The other fish are not exposed to any stress, be it from drugs or other methods.
Treatment depends very much on the degree of the fungus. How far has this progressed? If there is little fungal infection, you can still try to get it under control with conventional methods. If the fungal infestation is already quite large, then you will not get along without medication.
The most genera and kinds of mushrooms like that Achlya or else Saprolegnia fungus can thrive very well, especially in cooler water, the first way to get rid of the fungi would be the Temperature to increase. However, you have to pay attention to the profiles of the fish. Most species will not be able to tolerate temperatures above 30 degrees. Nevertheless, in the early stages it may be enough to increase the temperature to 28 degrees.
You can also have a treatment with salt water contemplate. This usually has a disinfecting effect. Also a Water change can help.
In most cases, however, you will not be able to avoid the addition of medication. The specialist trade offers a wide range of products for this purpose. For example, it has proven itself Fungol Plus by JBL. Here you should follow the instructions and dosage information of the respective manufacturer. An exact dosage and application can be found in these. Let's summarize the different treatment options:
- increase temperature
- Quarantine fish
- Apply salt water therapy
- Water change
- Medication
After treatment
So that it doesn't come to that again, you should always go to the aquarium with them oak leaves or alder cones act, because these also have a septic and disinfecting effect. Also the Water change must not be neglected. It is also valid for one day after the medication treatment Activated Carbon filter to remove most of the medication. Of course, a water change should also be carried out with at least 50 percent.
If you can treat the affected fish in a separate aquarium, you can save yourself these steps. pictures of JBL.de.
