Fungus

Fungal infections are quite common among fish, especially among tropical species. Fungus spores are present in many ponds and fish tanks, and as a consequence, they can rapidly colonize and cause a variety of problems among fish. If the water quality in your pond is poor then this can also increase the likelihood of fungal infections among the fish. External fungus infections are visbile and detectable since they have a fluffy, white appearance which has led to them being called “cotton wool disease”.

How will Fungus Affect Your Fish?

Fungus can be found the majority of aquariums and ponds, but there are certain things which significantly increase the chance of an infection spreading, such as failing to keep the pond clean and the presence of dead fish or other types of decaying organic matter. If the water quality within your pond is poor, or there are fish within it that are diseased or injured, this increases the chance of a fungal infection to your fish.

The majority of fungal infections are connected to preexisting injuries or disease which is why treatments often have to be performed in two parts to ensure the fish are fully cured. If a fish is infected you may observer achange in scale color ranging from white to red to gray. Although these infections will almost always strike the external tissues of your fish and their eggs, some fungal infections will afflict the fish’s internal organs and these are much harder to detect.

In addition, ponds which are full of fish that are breeding are subject to egg fungus. This occurs when the fish eggs become infected by a whitish fungus which is fluffy in appearance. This fungus will spread from one egg to another, which can potentially spread throughout your entire pond.

Gill rot is another type of fungus that is deadly to fish that is not treated. This fungus adversely impacts the fish’s ability to breathe and if left untreated, the fish’s gill will rot entirely.

Symptoms of Fungus

• Fish become stressed
• Fish gills display mucus
• Fish become white or red or gray in appearance
• Numerous fish die simultaneously

Fitz’s Fish Ponds is the Best Fish Care Specialist to Help You Combat Fungus

Depending on the type of fungal infection your pond fish are exposed to, it can be extremely difficult to resolve the situation on your own. While some fungus infections are visible to the naked eyes, those which affect the fish’s internal organs may not be. Our team at Fitz’s Fish Ponds has a great deal of expertise in the treatment of fish fungus. We can evaluate your water quality, test for the presence of fungus within your pond, identify the disease and treat your fish.

For cotton wool disease, we can treat your fish via salt baths or phenoxyethanol, which is an antifungal agent. In most cases, your fish will need to be treated with Gentian Violet, a topical antifungal agent, within a hospital tank that is separate from the pond.

We work closely with our customers to diligently to nurse your fish back to health and teach preventative measures for the future.

Choose Fitz’s Fish Ponds today for best pond fish care!