Symptoms of a Fungal Infection
In external fungal infections: White cottony, sometimes appearing dirty in color, patches or tufts on areas or large portions of the fish’s body.
In Ichthyosporidium: Sluggishness, lack of balance, hollowness in the abdomen, external sores and cysts. Symptoms often vary.
Causes of Fungal Infections
They often mirror the occurrence of other infections and diseases. This means that fungal infections will generally appear on fish that have been injured or ill. The cause is generally due to a compromised aquarium or fish. Insufficient water quality, excess waste, and rotting food can lead to infections. It’s not uncommon for fungus to first appear on bits of food or fish eggs before appearing on your fish.
What is a fungal infection?
Fungal infections occur on stressed fish, often after another infection or disorder. In the earlier stages, the “cottony” patches are not as prominent and dirtier in appearance. The fungus inhabits the under layer of skin as well as the most outer layers causing these growths and irritation. This infection can occur almost anywhere on the fish. The fungus untreated will deteriorate the fish’s body until death.
Another less heard of fungal infection occurs internally: Ichthyosporidium. This infection is difficult to diagnose and treat properly without recognizing the symptoms early. By the time external cysts and sores appear on the fish, the internal organs have deteriorated far too much. It is often recommended that the fish be euthanized due to the difficulty of treatment and spread of the infection.
Mouth Fungus
Mouth Fungus is called this because of its fungal like appearance. However, it is indeed not a fungal infection, but caused by bacterial (columnaris) infections. It is covered in this group article due to the appearance. Symptoms of this bacterial infection include the appearance of cottony, white patches around the mouth of the fish.
Treatment for Fungal Infections
Maracyn, Fungus Cure, Methyl Blue, and Jungle’s Fungus Eliminator are effective in both external and internal infections. Antibiotics such as Maracyn I & II work for Mouth Fungus.
Written by Leah C.
Resources: Personal experience treating fungal/bacterial infections; amtra.de; images from fish-medonline.com, flippersandfins.net, amtra.de.
Images: First - Fungal infection. Second - Mouth Fungus. Third - Ichtyosporidium.
