Your Guide to Fungal Infections

 

Fungal infections are often found in freshwater fish and can cause a variety of issues if left untreated. They can be difficult to identify, but there are some common symptoms to watch for. Here at iFISH Store, we carry a wide selection of freshwater fish online and are dedicated to helping you keep your fish healthy and disease-free. Continue reading to learn more about fungal infections in fish, and order fish to add to your aquarium or pond from our online store today!

 

What Are Fungal Infections?

Fungal infections are caused by a type of fungus that can infect a wide variety of organisms, including fish. There are many different types of fungi, and some are more harmful than others. The two most common fungal infections in freshwater fish are Saprolegnia2 and Ichthyophonus Hoferi. Fungi can survive in a wide range of environments, making them difficult to get rid of. 

Common Symptoms of Fungal Infections

Fungal infections can be difficult to spot because they often look like other diseases. Some common symptoms to watch for include:

• White patches on the skin or fins
• Cloudy eyes
• Flashing (rubbing body on objects)
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite

How Do Fungal Infections Affect Fish?

Fungal infections can cause a variety of issues in fish if left untreated. They can lead to serious health problems, including damage to internal organs. Fungi can also affect the quality of the water, making it more difficult for fish to breathe. In addition, fungi can kill other beneficial microorganisms in the water, which can harm the overall health of all the fish in your aquarium or pond.

How to Treat Fungal Infections

Start by ensuring that your tank parameters are in order. Poor water quality will quickly make things worse and harder to cure. Next, we recommend you remove the infected fish from the rest of the tank. That is unless you are seeing the growth in multiple fish, then It's best you treat the whole tank.  You will want to purchase a reputable medication to treat them with. API Melafix is easily found in most pet stores. Read the instructions thoroughly for best results. Depending on the infection you can also introduce aquarium salt or raise the temperature in the tank. Note however that some fish can not tolerate salt in the aquarium along with higher temperatures. 

 

If you think your fish may have a fungal infection, it is important to act quickly. At iFISH Store, we carry a wide selection of freshwater fish online and are here to help you better understand your fish and the fungal infections that can affect them. Contact our team to learn more about fish health or order fish from our online store today!