Saltwater Fish Fungus
According to Animal-World, fungus attacks always follow other health problems, such as parasitic attacks, injury, bacterial infection or stress from poor environmental conditions. If left untreated, the fungus will eventually eat away on the fish until it dies.
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Saprolegnia
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The symptoms of saprolegnia fungus are a gray or whitish growth in and on the skin and/or fins of the fish, and eventually become cottony looking, according to Aquarium Life.
Ichthyosporidium
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This fungus attacks the liver and kidneys and spreads throughout the fish. The affected fish may lose its balance, become sluggish, show hollow bellies and show external cysts or sores. To prevent the disease from spreading, it is best to destroy the affected fish.
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Columnaris
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A mouth fungus, columnaris infections are off-white to gray in color and caused by the bacterium Flavobacterium columnare. Columnaris is treated with an antibacterial or antibiotic medication.
Treatment
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There are several different ways to treat fungus, according to Aquatic Community. The medications are usually based on organic dyes, such as malachite green. Methylene blue, normally used to prevent fungi on fish eggs, can be added to the water to treat infected adult fish. Columnaris is effectively treated with penicillin.
Prevention
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Saltwater purple tang Avoid injury to the fish, limit handling and be cautious not to mix specimens that might damage each other. Cleanliness and removing organic matter, including uneaten food and dead animals, from tank is critical.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit exotic fishes image by Vita Vanaga from Fotolia.com blue damsel image by Tabitha Little from Fotolia.com
