should i worry about my other fish?

julianbc

AC Members
Nov 26, 2005
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Unfortunately my betta died the other day. He developed a discolored area on his tail that spread to his body and looked like mold (hairy like). The pet store was closed and the next day he was dead and covered in a white hairy looking fungus. He was in a 5 gallon w/ 3 other tetras. Should I worry about the other fish getting this fungus or is it just a random thing? All of the other fish look fine, just want to make sure.
 
Fungus is everywhere, on your skin, in the air, on the walls, in the water. Only when our immune systems or the fish's immune system becomes compromised does fungus become a problem. I would not worry
 
you should do a water change (25-50%) and keep an eye out for any signs of further infection. whenever i notice anything fungus-y in one of my tanks, i dose a little pimafix and melafix, wait a day or two, and do another water change. this usually works as a means of prevention... your betta would have needed something stronger from the sound of it.

i would wait a while before adding another fish, just to make sure your water conditions are in tip-top shape.

and if you get another betta, don't do full-strength doses of pima/melafix if you decide to go that route... it can burn their labyrinth lung.
 
Fungus usually shows up when the fish is stressed or water conditions are less than optimal. Changing the water is good advice, however you need to find out the cause of the fungus.

Just adding Pima and/or Mela or some other fungus medication to the tank to treat it isn't going to resolve the problem.

How often do you change the water and what are your ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH readings?

Roan
 
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