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Ever noticed how many rainbows have minor inflammation on the lips?

Once you get your eye in you start to really notice it, its absolutely everywhere.

My personal theory is that its just a very weak and non-life threatening fungal infection caused by the fact that these usually surface feeding and midwater fish tend in aquaria at least, to abrade their noses from taking food from the bottom, or from sparring. Ive had all my rainbows get it on and off for many years, and nothing really shifted it effectively or was safe enough to use to treat it regularly except for melafix. It usually shifts it in about a week, but eventually it returns.The worst ive had it get was when a female boesman had the redness creep a few millimetres up the snout, but melafix shifted it no problem.

It kinda reminds me of a minor case of stomatitis in reptiles, as long as the fish is otherwise healthy, it never really takes hold. Just a minor dental issue really.

Just to say that if you see a rainbow with a slightly pink lip it doesnt mean you shouldnt buy it or that its going to die.Obviously dont mistake it for cotton mouth (big white fluff on mouths and other bodyparts) that obviously would be fatal. Theres usually no fluff, and just a slightly "fat lip" look to the fish occasionally.

Just a little thing, but I thought i'd mention it.

Last edited by longhairedgit at 07-Dec-2005 05:12

Ya I noticed it when I had my turqs in the breeding tank. Except it wasn't pink, more white- but not fungus. I noticed when they chased each other they kept running into things. But now that they are back in the 60gal they are fine.