Mouth fungus is the fungus like growth that appears on the mouth and the body of infected aquarium fish. Even though, it looks like fungus growth, it is a bacterial infection caused by chondrococcus columnaris. It is also known as false fungus. This disease is contagious, spread very fast among the other fishes that live together. If one fish is infected, all the aquarium fishes will surely be the victims of this and will die if not treated adequately.
The mouth fungus bacteria are common in all freshwater aquariums. Fishes that are handled rough will be affected soon by this bacterium. The water quality and diet of the fishes are important factors in preventing this disease. The fishes that are living in poor water and are given inadequate food are more prone to mouth fungus disease. The infection could also occur through fish nets. This bacteria doesn’t affect fishes that are living in healthy surroundings.
The chondrococcus columnaris attacks mainly the cat fish and the viviparous fishes like guppies, mollies and swordtails. The bacteria get into the fish through small cuts in its body or through the mouth and gills of the fish.
White or grey spots around the gills, fungus like growth around the mouth and head of the fish are the main symptoms of infection from columnaris bacteria. Initially, as the infection spread, the white spots become yellow or brown. The mouth of the fish will be fully destroyed by the bacteria making it difficult for the fish to eat. In later stages, the gills will be affected and breathing becomes difficult.
It is always better to prevent the infection by keeping the aquarium clean and healthy. As once affected the invasion of the disease is fast, it is important to treat it in the initial stage itself. Mixing copper sulphate to the aquarium water is a very effective treatment for this problem. Mixing 10 to 20 milligrams of chormycetin in one litre of aquarium water is also proved to be a good medicine for mouth fungus.
There are many fish foods available in the market that are rich in oxytetracyclin which has anti bacterial effect.If the fishes are highly affected that they stopped their regular feeds, it is best to treat with antibiotics which are available easily available in most of the veterinary pharmacies.
The infected fishes need to be isolated immediately after they are found to be with the symptoms. They can be placed back after the disease is cured, which approximately takes four weeks.
The columnaris bacteria grow on the organic wastes. Always remember to change the water at regular intervals. Clean all the gravels inside the aquarium so that the waste removal can be done effectively. Anti fungal, antibacterial drops are available in the local pet shops that are to be added as 3-5 drops helps in preventing the attacks of bacteria and fungus in aquarium fishes.
All the new fishes must be placed in a separate tank for two weeks in order to prevent any disease spread that they carry from the previous aquarium.
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