Fungus

Fungus is a secondary condition resulting from bacterial infection.  Fungus develops and feeds off the dead tissue left behind from ulcers, fin rot and other bacterial problems. 

How to Recognize, Treat and Prevent Fungus in Your Koi or Goldfish Pond

You'll often see fungus in ponds or aquariums that have gone through prior health issues.  Unfortunately many do not suspect problems until they see the fungus growing on the sick goldfish or koi.  Often infestation of parasites starts the chain of events that leads to the growth of fungus.

Recognizing Fungus

Fungus is, by far, the easiest problem to diagnose.  It appears as cottony white or off-white growth.  It is hard to mistake it!  Fungus can attach and feed off any part of the fish but it is most often seen on the fins as it feeds on the dead tissues left behind by fin rot. 

Treating Fungus

The actual treatment to kill the fungus that is present on the fish is the easy part.  Just use FuBa Fix and the FuBa Fix will kill the fungus and much of the bacteria on the fish itself that is causing the fin rot, ulcer, or other condition that creates the dead tissue.  If you don't get rid of the cause of the bacterial problem, however, the fungus will just come back.  In fact, if fungus is present on the fish it means the bacterial infection and/or parasites that caused the dead tissue is in advanced stages so you must work fast. 

First of all, test the water for ammonia and nitrites.  Sometimes the major factor causing fin rot, ulcers, etc. could be as simple as poor water quality.

Then - we need to determine that parasites are not causing the bacterial problem.  If you've added fish within the last month before the outbreak or if your koi and goldfish are exhibiting symptoms of parasites immediately begin treatment for parasites using the Parasite Pak.

Once the parasites are treated the fungus and bacterial problems causing it may clear on their own.  If not, that's when you need to use the FuBa Fix.  A salt treatment will also help boost the production of the fish's natural slime layer and that, in turn, helps build up his immunity to bacterial diseases and complications such as fungus.   

IDo NOT treat your pond with two different medications at the same time!  If you suspect parasites as the initial irritant, perform the parasite treatments first.  Then, when you have totally completed the parasite treatment regimen you can then treat with the FuBa Fix.  When using FuBa Fix, remember not to allow it to flow through your biological filter or you will end up without a functioning nitrifying cycle.  Bacterial treatments do not differentiate between good and bad bacteria.    

For those fish that have advanced fin rot accompanied by fungus a topical scrub or dip is recommended while treating for the parasites.  It is done separately so the medications will not be mixed.  The best thing we've found for any bacterial disease is Tricide-Neo Ulcer Dip.  Unfortunately some fish are just too weak to withstand the harsh treatment.  For those fish we have Lil' Dab-a-do Ulcer Scrub. 

I wouldn't waste time using Melafix or Anti-Bac Scrub because if fungus is developing your fish is in dire need of more effective treatments.

If using a scrub or dip you must be able to handle the fish every day for about a week so if you have a hospital tank it will make the treatments a whole lot easier on you and the fish.  You need not quarantine any fish with fungus (unless you have the availability of a hospital tank) because unless a fish's immunity is weak (or there are other stress factors going on such as water parameters are bad or parasites are present) he shouldn't get fungus by simply swimming with an infected fish.

Emergency Procedures

1. Test the pond water for ammonia and nitrites.  If you have readings of either, do a major water change and follow directions for boosting the biological filtering in your pond.
2. Check for the presence of parasites and treat if necessary.
3. Use Tricide-Neo or Lil' Dab-a-Do.
4. Treat the whole pond with FuBa Fix.

What to Expect Next

You may lose a few fish - even after the treatments have ended - due to the wear and tear the fish has experienced.  

Preventing Fungus

Keeping the fish healthy is the trick to fighting fungus.  As a precaution in spring we like to feed our fish nothing but triple antibiotic food for two weeks.  This builds them up and helps them fend off any stress factors that may crop up.  Another precaution we like to take is to treat the pond in early spring with a Parasite Pak - just in case... 

A clean pond is monumental with helping stave off any type of bacterial disease including fungus.  Do not line the bottom or the pond with rocks to give junk a place to hide and grow anaerobic bacteria. 

More Information About Fungus

• How to Prevent Spring Disease Outbreaks in Koi & Goldfish
• Battle of the Bacteria
• Tricide-Neo Antibiotic Dip for Ulcer Disease in Koi & Goldfish

Items You Might Need:

Tricide-Neo

Lil' Dab-a-Do
 

Fungus/Bacterial Treatment
Pond Fizz Tabs

Triple Antibiotic Food

Melafix

Doc's Pure Salt

Ammonia Test Kit

Nitrite Test Kit

Doc's Prescription
Anti-Bac Scrub

Parasite Pak

Know Your Gallons!

Heavy Duty Water Meter

Paracide Green

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