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One of my cardinals has cottony growths on its tail which I am sure is fungus since my cardinals had the same problem before. Water parameters:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
pH 7.6
Temp 26C

Can Pimafix treat this since it is a minor case or do I need to use a heavier med. I have Fungus Clear by Jungle Labs which I have used before and has worked.

I also have 3 small clown loaches in my tank for now.. so I should be fine if I dose at half strength right? As for the bacteria colonies... Will cycle help during medicating periods?


Last edited by ericm at 22-Aug-2005 17:55

If it's only one fish effected right now and you have a hospital tank set up and available I'd go ahead and use that. I'd go with the fungus clear as 1)it sounds like it's fairly advanced 2)you know you've had sucess before 3)I've had sucess with it before okay so #3 isn't exactly the best reason but . I did not experience serious bacterial dieoff when I used the jungle labs product. I do remember that I dosed cycle after treatment and meds were removed.
Not that much help, but there ya go.

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When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace. When you love someone but it goes to waste
COULD IT BE WORSE?" ~Coldplay" ][hr width='40%']"When you try your best but you don't succeed. When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace. When you love someone but it goes to waste
COULD IT BE WORSE?" ~Coldplay

Try the Pimafix first, I would combine it with Melafix personally. You can dose it at full strength and it should not have any effect on your loaches or bacteria. If you're feeling cautious, dose 50% first and then increase to 100% when you're satisfied they don't seem to be stressed.

If the Pimafix doesn't work you can switch to something stronger, I would pick up some Jungle "Fungus Cure" (available at most pet shops, chains and even Wal Mart usually). The Fungus Clear should be OK but it may affect your bacterial colonies so I would use it as a last resort if Pimafix fails. Your water quality sounds fine but I would do a water change just in case, "fungus" is usually columnaris infection which is most often brought on by stress. Also try to find anything else that might be stressing the fish out and solve it.

Edit: I don't like to use QT tanks for small tetras like cardinals because it stresses them out a lot. The only time I use a QT tank is if I've just bought them or if I can move at least 6 into QT. Cardinal tetras especially don't move well, so I would treat the main tank.

Last edited by trystianity at 22-Aug-2005 18:15

Well I dont have any melafix on me but Ill get some soon... so I will try the pimafix first at half dose... When i get the melafix do I just dose both at half strength at first then try full? Because it says a tablespoon per 10 gallons and treat for 7 days and do a water change... so should I treat 1 tablespoon for 20 gallons every other day or should I treat every day?

And Pimafix wont harm the bacteria?

Last edited by ericm at 22-Aug-2005 18:55

To be honest I would just dose full strength according to the package, it should be totally fine for both Melafix and Pimafix. Neither should have any effect on your bacterial colonies and are loach safe. I only suggested half strength because you seemed unsure. If you do decide to dose half strength, just dose 1 tsp per 20 gallons every day.