I hope someone can steer me in the right direction. I have 3 female swordtail along with 3 cory cats in a 12 gallon Eclipse. My well water is soft with a ph of 6.6 out of the tap. It normally stabilizes at 6.8 in the tank. I do 50% water changes per week along with vacuuming the gravel and the temp is around 79-81. Just recently I notices my wag tail swordtail acting skittish and hiding. I did tests which showed normal 0 ammonia and nitrate but slightly high nitrate and a ph of 6.4. I thought this was it so I did a quick water change and added the product "Cycle" per a recommendation. Today I see a white cotton spot on the lip of my wag tail and she is still acting skittish. I can see it looks like cotton and kind of thready. She still has an appetite when fed. Is this mouth fungus (bacterial) and what is the best thing to treat it with? I do not have a quarantine tank available as it is being used as a swordtail nursery at the moment. I do not want to harm my other swordtails or cory cats with medication so I would hope it is safe for all. I know to remove the filter with charcoal but what about the biowheel? Thank you, Kathy
Mouth fungus on Swordtail?
- Thread starter boet
- Start date
Sounds like I love Melafix, it is a natural medication so it won't harm your fishies like other medications would. It works great! I've used it plenty of times before. I believe it is a week long treatment. I don't do anything with my filters while using this product. I just do a water change at the end of the week.
Cycle is pointless and it doesn't do anything. I worked at a pet store where it was recomended to everyone, probably just to make money. I wouldn't use it.
Cycle is pointless and it doesn't do anything. I worked at a pet store where it was recomended to everyone, probably just to make money. I wouldn't use it.
It sounds like your maintenance should be okay, but if you are having high (what reading?) nitrAtes, given your maintenance, I can only assume over-feeding -- Assuming your tank is cycled?
As for the illness, see this link for assistance in IDing: http://www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html#External
Bacterial infections (may look white and 'fuzzy') are associated with poor water quality.
I would do a few things and observe him for a day or two. Treating a fish and further stressing them by targeting an illness that is not present only harms them further -- Melafix is a very low-stress med that really just aids a fish's defenses rather than treating out-right (can't hurt). This is safe for your other fish and filtration and if this is bacterial, the tank already has it...
Keep your nitrAtes below 20ppm (at a minimum). Do a 30-40% PWC, and observe him for a day for behavioral changes such as clamped fins, laboring for breath, staying near the bottom/heater, poor swimming, no appetite, etc.
Basically any Anit-Biotic will work "IF" it's bacterial (most likely). Also, clean water will allow the fish to combat this on his own if the disease has not been allowed to progress too far. Bacterial infections (and fungal) target weakened/stressed fish, or take advantage of an injured area. A healthy fish can combat these types of infections normally.
Lastly, "Cycle" has nothing to do with treating for fish diseases.
As for the illness, see this link for assistance in IDing: http://www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html#External
Bacterial infections (may look white and 'fuzzy') are associated with poor water quality.
I would do a few things and observe him for a day or two. Treating a fish and further stressing them by targeting an illness that is not present only harms them further -- Melafix is a very low-stress med that really just aids a fish's defenses rather than treating out-right (can't hurt). This is safe for your other fish and filtration and if this is bacterial, the tank already has it...
Keep your nitrAtes below 20ppm (at a minimum). Do a 30-40% PWC, and observe him for a day for behavioral changes such as clamped fins, laboring for breath, staying near the bottom/heater, poor swimming, no appetite, etc.
Basically any Anit-Biotic will work "IF" it's bacterial (most likely). Also, clean water will allow the fish to combat this on his own if the disease has not been allowed to progress too far. Bacterial infections (and fungal) target weakened/stressed fish, or take advantage of an injured area. A healthy fish can combat these types of infections normally.
Lastly, "Cycle" has nothing to do with treating for fish diseases.
I had a similar problem last week with one of my male swordtails, he developed a white fungus on his gills and tail after his tail was bitten off. I turned the temp up a bit and added some meds but unfortunatly he still died. Make sure you start treatment soon if you want to increase the chances of survival.
Actually with non-parasitic illnesses you shouldn't increase the temp (it increases the growth rates) for fungus and bacterias 
But yes, if you know the disease treating sooner is always better.
But yes, if you know the disease treating sooner is always better.
Thank you all for your advise. With my weekly water changes on a cycled tank since April - I believe I have been overfeeding...... That is the only way I can think that my nitrates were close to 40 and my ph dropped (and low buffer to prevent- the LFS stated cycle would help buffer?). The cycle was recommended for the ph drop and that was before I noticed the white fuzzy on her upper lip area. But since two of you have stated it does nothing I will not use it anymore. I do not want to add unnecessary chemicals to my tank. My swordtail is still showing an appetite but she appears to be picked on more by the other two (which is new behavior - she was in the middle of the pecking order) and is also acting uncomfortable - a shimmy move occasionally. I live 70 miles from the nearest LFS but will be traveling today to a Fred Meyers and I am hoping they will have the Melafix or something suggested above. I have begun to slowly lower the temp in the tank as well. I will let you all know the results. If this is indeed bacteria infection I am also hoping my soft water will help as it looks like it thrives more in hard water. Thank you again, Kathy
Columnaris is a very common infection. I would get some anti-biotics when you are able to try to maintain the water as well as you are able.
The fish is being picked on because he/she is vulnerable now. This is common as well.
Melafix will help, but look for something with that targets bacterial infections.
Good luck and please keep us posted!
The fish is being picked on because he/she is vulnerable now. This is common as well.
Melafix will help, but look for something with that targets bacterial infections.
Good luck and please keep us posted!
I was able to get some Melafix today and after removing the charcoal filter that the Eclipse 12 uses I added one tsp per instruction. I left the bio-wheel in. I also began to slowly lower the temp from 80 to 77.5. She still shows an appetite, ( I fed all very lightly), does not have clamped fins and is not gasping at surface. The one activity is she is still skittish acting and will suddenly jerk this way and that for a bit. I think after re-reading this post that I should have done a 50 water change prior to adding the Melafix. I plan on doing that tomorrow and will adjust\add some more..... I also thought the Melafix would target this if it is bacterial? It says so on the bottle. I will keep you all posted and Thank you so much again. Kathy
Oops. I just re-read the bottle of Melafix and you are right - it definately is not antibiotic. I could kick myself as I was at the LFS 70 miles away yesterday and when I descriped my swordtails lip and actions she only recommended the Melafix and I did not think of picking up anything else....
I hope I do not need it and the PWC's and Melafix for 7 days helps....I do have the opportunity to return to the LFS in a week.
I hope I do not need it and the PWC's and Melafix for 7 days helps....I do have the opportunity to return to the LFS in a week.