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	White area around mouth of swordtails
crickit99 Hobbyist Posts: 136 Kudos: 194 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Jul-2004	Hello! I just added my first fish to my 55 gallon aquarium (2m/4f swordtails). This was the 4th Petco I have visited, and it seemed pretty clean, at least for a Petco. I am noticing on 2 of them, they have some white almost fuzzy looking stuff around their mouths. I have had to deal w/ ick and fin rot in past tanks, but I haven't seen this before. Any ideas? Or maybe it's nothing, I'm just obsessive w/ the fish, LoL (I spent 1.5 hours picking them out last night! And several more on the floor watching them, hehe) Thanks in advance, Christina
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:37
james_zy Fingerling Posts: 25 Votes: 0 Registered: 21-Jul-2004	this is a Bacterial infection, and i sujjest that you use "tap Anti- Bacteria" (tap being the name oif the brand.) they may not have this in the USA, but if you do come across it, make sure you take about 1litre of water from the aquarium and put the liquid treatment in and give it a good stir to give the best effect, and to stop ur water from going completely green (Grenn is the colour of the liquid medicine.)
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:37
garyroland ---Prime Fish--- Posts: 7878 Kudos: 4010 Votes: 103 Registered: 31-Dec-2001	"Columnaris" is indeed a bacterial infection resembling a fungus... Fish must be treated immediately with 10,000 units of Penicillin per litre, an effective med, and a second dose 24 hours later. Mouth fungus will, once advanced, prevent the fish from feeding. A bacteria starter should be dosed. The penicillin will kill beneficial bacteria in your tank. --garyroland.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:37
crickit99 Hobbyist Posts: 136 Kudos: 194 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Jul-2004	Just thought I'd update this. I went by a local LFS, and she gave me some MelaFix to use for a week. Hopefully that will clear it up. Thanks for the advice! Christina
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:37
garyroland ---Prime Fish--- Posts: 7878 Kudos: 4010 Votes: 103 Registered: 31-Dec-2001	Melafix, an anticeptic, most likly will fail to stop Columnaris... In the process, the fish may indeed become worse and be unable to feed and die. --garyroland.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:37
crickit99 Hobbyist Posts: 136 Kudos: 194 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Jul-2004	Another update! One of the females seems to have the spots elsewhere on her body as well, the mouth hasn't gotten any worse, and all are eating well and active. I went out and got some PimaFix to use in conjunction w/ the MelaFix. I have had 2 females die, but they weren't showing signs of disease. Christina
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:37


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