Flavobacterium columnare (flexibacter) is common too. It looks like a
fungus but is bacterial so Malachite Green won't help. In that case you
would need an antibiotic. It can be hard to tell the difference without
a microscope but true fungus is more common in cooler water while flex
is more common in warmer water. True fungus will often grow over an
open wound or sore too.
Either way, I would only treat the sick fish in a hospital tank. Both
the anti-fungal meds and the antibiotics and be pretty harsh and can
stress healthy fish.
This seems to be accurate, the first Angelfish died after 1 day of
treatment with fungus med. and the second Angel is showing more fuzzy
growth. Now also my Dwarf Gouramis are showing up with small spots of
it also. Does anyone know how long I should wait before dosing the
tank with antibiotics (Maracyn) after the last dose of Anti-Fungus.
Its been about 36 hrs, and the bottle of anti fungus says to wait 48
between dosings. With no signs of improvement from that med I really
hope the antibiotics will help my poor fish. Also can anyone tell me
if Maracyn will kill of my good bacteria in my tank. Thanks for all
your help.
Arrg. yes, maracyn will kill all bacteria in your tank. YOU NEVER
DOSE A TANK WITH ANTIBIOTICS. In fact, you're MUCH better off NEVER
using antibiotics. (1)
http://aquaria.net/articles/meds/
http://aquaria.net/articles/meds/antibiotics/
http://aquaria.net/articles/meds/ant.../alternatives/
Chances are slim to none your fish have "flex". (2) Chnage 80% of the
water daily and dose with salt 2 teaspoons per gallon and they'll
be fine.
The poeple I know that raise (and breed!) Altums change half the
water daily or have them on continuous system. Angels are one of
the toughest fish to keep these days.
Get a flashlight and aim it at the gouramis. I bet you see teeny
tiny little yellow dots like a dusting of light sand. That's
Oodinium or "velvet". Acriflavine is what you want for this,
in a seperate tank. Remove the fish to another container, treat
for 3 weeks. By then the bugs WILL have died out in your tank
having no host to live on and you can safely put your cured fish
back in there.
Refs:
(1) Handbook of Fish Diseases, TFH press
(2) James Langhammer, pers comms.
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