Black skirt tetras are popular freshwater fish that can be found in aquariums all around the world. Unfortunately, these beautiful creatures are also susceptible to fungus infections. This blog post will answer your questions about how to tell if your black skirt tetras have fungus and what steps you should take to treat them!
Fungus, also known as fungus disease or mycosis, is a general term for several types of parasitic fungal infections. The fungus can be found in the air, soil, and water. It causes serious diseases in plants and animals including humans too.
When it comes to aquarium fish tanks, the fungus is most commonly seen on black skirt tetras due to their sensitive skin that makes them more susceptible to infection than other species of freshwater fish.
What Is Fungus Disease In Black Skirt Tetras?
Fungus Disease in black skirt tetras is caused by fungi such as ichthyophagous hoferi, chilodonella species, and cryptocaryon species.
Causes Of Fungal Infection In Black Skirt Tetras
Fungal infection in black skirt tetras is usually caused by poor water quality.
Poor Water Quality
The poor water quality means that the water is not clean and has a high level of dissolved organic matter.
This can cause an increase in the number of bacteria and fungi present in the water.
Cold Water
The water temperature can also affect the number of fungi present in the water.
Fungi grow better at a lower temperature and so they are more prevalent in cold water.
Coldwater can also cause fungus infection in black skirt tetras.
Signs Your Black Skirt Tetras Has Fungus
You may notice small white spots on your black skirt tetra’s body. These are the signs that your black skirt tetra has fungus:
White Spots
These spots are caused by fungi eating away at your fish’s skin and fins, causing them to rot away.
Black skirt tetra’s that have fungus will have red patches on their body or gills. They might also be scratching against rocks or gravel because the intense itchiness caused by the lesions from fungal infections can cause fish to scratch themselves against objects which could lead to secondary bacterial infections.
Swelling
The infected area will be swollen and inflamed which will result in damage to internal organs if not treated immediately.
Lesions and Sores
The most common signs that your black skirt tetras have fungus are lesions or spots on the body, especially around the fins.
Inactivity
The fish may also become sluggish and inactive, lose its appetite, and have trouble swimming. If your black skirt tetra has fungus, it will be less active and may spend more time at the bottom of the tank.
Loss of Appetite
Fungus in black skirt tetras can also cause a loss of appetite.
If your black skirt tetras have fungus, you will see signs such as:
- Lesions or sores on the body
- Whitish patches on the skin
- Reddening around lesion sites
How Do You Treat Fungus In Black Skirt Tetras?
There are several ways to treat fungus in black skirt tetras:
● Use a commercial fungicide –
You can find these at pet stores and use them to kill fungi on the fish’s body.
● Use a salt bath –
Adding one tablespoon of salt per gallon of water can help to kill the fungus on the fish’s body.
- API PIMAFIX Antifungal Freshwater and Saltwater Fish Remedy 16-Ounce Bottle
- Mars Fishcare North Amer API Pimafix 16oz bottle 2 pack
● Remove affected fish from the tank and treat them in isolation –
If there are only a few fish with fungus, you may want to remove them from the tank and treat them in isolation.
Can You Prevent Fungal Infection In Black Skirt Tetras?
There are some things you can do to help prevent fungal infection in black skirt tetras:
Keep Your Aquarium Clean and Well-maintained
This will help to keep the water quality high and reduce the number of bacteria and fungi in the water.
Keeping your aquarium clean and well-maintained is one of the best ways to prevent fungal infections in black skirt tetras.
Do Not Overstock Your Tank
Black skirt tetras are schooling fish which means they like being in groups, so you should not overcrowd your tank with too many black skirted tetras.
Quarantine New Fish
If you are adding new fish to your aquarium, quarantine them first and watch for signs of fungus.
Keep Your Heaters and Filters Running
If you have a filter, leave it on at all times to help keep the bacteria levels low. If you do not have a heater, be sure that you keep your tank warm enough for black skirt tetras – between 75°F-82°F (25°C-28°C).
Good Water Quality
You should ensure that the water quality is good by regularly changing the water and keeping the tank clean.
Keep a close eye on your tank and make sure you are testing the pH level, nitrate levels, ammonia levels, salinity/specific gravity of the water regularly.
Regular Tank Maintenance
This includes cleaning the gravel and filters and removing any uneaten food or waste.
Disease-Free Fish
Only buy disease-free fish from a reputable source. Furthermore, this will help you from having other fish in your tank sick and infected.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take For A Fungal Infection To Heal?
A fungal infection can take anywhere from two weeks up to six months or more before it heals depending on the damage done by the fungus.
Is Fish Fungus Contagious To Human Beings?
The fish fungus cannot spread to humans because fish carry different types of fungus than humans.
Conclusion
Fungus disease in black skirt tetras is a common problem that you can treat using a variety of methods.
Similarly, by keeping your aquarium clean and well-maintained, you can help to prevent fungal infections from occurring. If your fish have a fungal infection, remove them from the tank and treat them in isolation.
Fungal infections can take anywhere from two weeks up to six months or more before they heal completely. Thus, the fish fungus cannot spread to humans because fish carry different types of fungus than humans do. Thanks for reading!
