Ich (White Spot Disease)
White grain-of-salt spots on body and fins. Fish flash against decor, breathe rapidly. Highly contagious.
Treatment: raise temperature to 84°F gradually, dose API Super Ick Cure or Aquarium Solutions Ich-X for 7-10 days. Treat the whole tank. Salt at 1 tsp per gallon helps.
Columnaris (Cotton Mouth)
White or grayish fuzzy patches on mouth, fins, or body. Often confused with fungal infection but is bacterial.
Treatment: Furan-2 + Kanaplex combination. Lower temperature to 75°F (columnaris worsens in heat). Treat for 7 days minimum. Highly contagious — quarantine if possible.
- ✦Columnaris kills within 24-48 hours if untreated.
- ✦Improve water quality — usually triggered by high ammonia.
Fin Rot
Frayed, ragged, or disappearing fin edges. Often gray or pale at the edge. Caused by bacteria taking advantage of fin damage or poor water.
Treatment: aquarium salt (1 tbsp per 5 gallons), 50% water changes daily for 5 days. Severe cases need Furan-2 or Maracyn 2.
Gill Flukes
Fish gasps at surface, gills appear red or swollen, frequent flashing. Microscopic parasites attached to gills.
Treatment: API General Cure (praziquantel) or Prazi Pro for 5 days. Repeat after 7 days to catch hatched parasites.
Dropsy
Pinecone scales, bloated belly, lethargy. Same condition as in bettas — kidney failure from bacterial infection. Low survival rate.
Treatment: epsom salt + Kanaplex in hospital tank. Most cases are fatal once pinecone is visible.