Cotton Mouth

[ostrow]

I have searched, and find precious little about this affliction. I found several posts in this very forum that went without reply, so I am skeptical trying another thread on this.

My 8-yr old Percula Clown suddenly developed this -- I'm assuming that is what it is. Impossible to photograph it, but it looks like, well, cotton hanging around the bottom and sides of its mouth, mostly left of the mouth.

I removed it to a hospital tank, and added Maracyn 2 and Maracyn. All I had were the freshwater packages, and I learned that I needed to double the recommended dosage with the minocycline to match the saltwater version. Since I found nothing on the Maracyn I dosed according to the package.

Not sure what else, if anything, to do. The fish was in my son's nano tank, with a 6-line. That fish remains in the nano but I believe I shoudl remove and treat it as well -- if only there were a way to remove it.

Any suggestions? Anything I can soak food in that will treat this? Both fish are eating.

I much prefer to dose medications in food if possible so any ideas on that would be much, much appreciated.

 

[TripleT]

Maracyn info:

Maracyn:

With B-complex vitamins. A broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of body fungus, fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, secondary infections and other gram-positive bacterial infections and fungal diseases. Active ingredient: erythromycin. 1 packet per 10 gallons of freshwater or 20 gallons of saltwater.

Make sure water quality and nutrition are the best you can provide.

What are you feeding? Are you soaking food in supplements like Selcon/Zoe/Zoecon?

Good luck.

 

[TripleT]

If this is an external fungus, water quality is cited as a prime suspect.

Where are your water parameters at?

 

[ostrow]

The nano has had many problems over the last month with massive diatom outbreaks. I do 20% water changes twice weekly. It's much better in there. I understand about the water quality.

I'm most interested in the treatment of this disease and saving the fish, which is in QT now. I'd prefer to focus on that as there is little info at all on it.

The food is Rod's, rich in vitamins and Selco.

I have a Maxijet 900 with venturi in the QT now to oxygenate the water. The fish looked distressed and weak this morning, when I added the venturi. Part of me wishes I hadn't moved it now or medicated as it was not showing any weakness or distress before. And it was eating but did not this morning....

 

[TripleT]

Perfect water quality and nutrition are the treatments I was recommending. Both can help a fish's immune system substantially.

You've already used Maracyn and Maracyn 2. Those are broad spectrum treatments, and I'm not sure if you should be administering any additional treatments at this time.

Hopefully others have more experience and will have additional advice.