I have 2 tinfoil barbs, 2 jack dempseys 2 upside down cats and a priscilla. most of the fish have been scratching themselves on the gravel for the past week and I just now noticed a 'white cotton ball' on one of the barbs' lips. Im guessing this is a fungus but its been YEARS since ive dealt with fish illness so.... whats my best course of action?
Fungus?
- Thread starter docdubz
- Start date
Most fungus in aquariums is actually bacterial.
My normal suggestion for mouth cotton is to catch the fish and wipe the stuff off using a cotton swap dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
My concern is that you say your fish have been scratching on the gravel for a week. That could be bacterial or a parasite, such as but not necessarily - ich. If you have a very good fish shop nearby, they will have a microscope and someone who knows how to use it. Taking a fish or two in for a check and advice would be a good idea.
My normal suggestion for mouth cotton is to catch the fish and wipe the stuff off using a cotton swap dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
My concern is that you say your fish have been scratching on the gravel for a week. That could be bacterial or a parasite, such as but not necessarily - ich. If you have a very good fish shop nearby, they will have a microscope and someone who knows how to use it. Taking a fish or two in for a check and advice would be a good idea.
I thought it was ich at first because all the fish besides the dempseys were scratching. I havent seen any spots that look like ich at all, the only visible symptom is the cotton looking ball on the tinfoil barbs lip its about 2 mm in diameter. The tank is a 75 gal bowfront, maintenance is a water change every two weeks. Its not actually my tank its a family members, I doubt they have a test kit.. Ill see if I can pick up a basic one tomorow