Symptoms:

• Cottony tufts on fins or body
• Less active
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of color
• Clumped fins

What is it?

While mouth fungus is a bacterial infection, body fungus is a saprophitic fungi. This fungus normally attacks wounds on the fish's skin, or may even grow on the edge of fins being attacked by fin rot.

How did it get there?

Any open wounds on your fish are subject to fungus attacks. Also stressed fish will have a compromised immune system which may lead to possible fungal infections.

Treatment

Many brands make a fungal medication such as Jungle's Fungus Eliminator, or Mardel Lab's Maracyn will work to help clean up the fungus. If it is a mild case, API's PimaFix is an antifungal and antibacterial solution.

Prevention

• If any open sores are present, treat them with Bettafix or Melafix to prevent infections and help the healing process. Both of these are made of tea tree oil which will smell strongly and leave an oily residue on the top of the water which should be scooped off.