Q&A for How to Treat Fungal Infections in Fish

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What causes fungal infections in fish?

wikiHow Staff Editor
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

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Fungal spores thrive naturally in fish tanks, and they usually don’t cause problems. However, if a fish is stressed, sick, or injured, it can become prone to fungal infections. If the tank is dirty or the water quality is poor, fungal infections are even more likely.

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Can fungal infections kill fish?

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Unfortunately, yes. If you suspect that your fish has a fungal infection, it’s important to treat it quickly so that the infection doesn’t become fatal.

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Can fish fungus infect humans?

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wikiHow Staff Editor

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While humans don’t typically catch fungal infections from fish, there are several bacterial infections you can catch from aquarium fish. You might get these infections from handling infected fish or cleaning the tank while you have open cuts or scrapes on your hands. To prevent infections, wash your hands with soap and warm water both before and after handling your tank or feeding your fish.

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How long does it take for a fish to recover from a fungal infection?

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It depends on how serious it is, but the general healing time can range from 1 to 3 weeks.

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Is the disease infectious?

Community Answer

That depends on the disease you are dealing with. You may have to do further investigating to find what type of fungal infection your fish has. Regardless, you should quarantine any infected fish just to be on the safe side.

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What do I do if my fish is not eating?

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Try to vary up the food. Try a different brand, and/or different type of food, i.e. flakes, pellets, etc. Treat it for ich, too, just in case.

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What do I do if my silver dollars have not been eating for a month?

Community Answer

It's most likely that either a) there is not enough water in the tank, or b) you are not feeding them the correct food type. They enjoy bloodworms and flakes.

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Question

How do I tell if my white fish is infected?

Gini Pug

Community Answer

Look out for lumps, fin rot, wounds, and gold-colored "dust". Also look for any lumps sticking out that could be parasites.

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Question

One of my goldfish seems have the white spot like fungus on his tail for few weeks already, but he acts and eat normally. Should I treat and separate from the tank?

Emmylou Pruitt

Community Answer

Treat and separate him if he appears sick. Leaving any sick fish in the tank puts other fish at risk.

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Do we have to have medication? Or does salt only also work?

AkitaDoge

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There are medications that slow down or completely cure the illness. You can find them in almost all pet stores.

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Question

My Danio keeps getting fungus, he has been in and out of treatment for a few months, the fungus goes and then comes back a couple of days later? I have tried a few different treatments.

Camronwilso 36

Community Answer

When you treat your tank with a fungal medication, do the full course to make sure that the infection is gone, and if you are doing this, try a different product. Try using Methylene Blue with your Danio fish.

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Question

Can I use salt and medicine for fungal infection at same time?

Camronwilso 36

Community Answer

Try using aquarium salt first, if the condition is not any better after 3 days then start the fungal medicine. Make sure before you start using the fungal medication you do a thorough water change to collect all the salt. A suitable fungal medication is Methylene Blue.

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Question

If my fish is the the only one in the tank, do I still need to put it in a separate tank for treatment?

Community Answer

No, but if you have carbon in your filter, take it out when medicating, since the carbon neutralizes medication.

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Question

One of my guppies won't eat and is staying in one side of the tank the other one is a bit worried because he won't leave his friend's side.

Community Answer

If your fish is not eating, try using garlic juice on his food. It entices fish and makes them more inclined to eat. If your fish is still not eating, look for other symptoms. Your fish could have an internal parasite, or maybe it is stressed.

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Question

How much fungus control can I put in and for how many days? (200 liter tank)

Em Davis

Community Answer

The dosage and treatment period depends on the brand. Most treatments will have instructions on the back of the bottle. Make sure you follow them closely to avoid harming your fish.

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