The difference between ick and fungus?

Question

My male betta has a few white spots his fins. They are really small dots seriouslly the size of periods (.) on his fins how do i tell if its ick or fungus and what do i do...i just put him in a small betta bowl the one he came in and put some ick cure in there so hes swimming around in the ick cure what do i do next
?

Answer 1

There are a few forms of ich. One that can look like sugar or salt grains, one that looks like a white slime and one that looks like cotton. Ich is a parasite not a fungus. And needs to be treated with proper ich medicines.

A fungus which can also look like certain forms of ich. Usually smooth white patches or "clumps" or groups of warts all together which can be white, tan or in some cases yes green from where algae had begun to grow on it.
Fungus needs to be treated with an antibiotic. (like Melafix)

As with any fish disease, you need to be sure what you are treating for before you treat

Answer 2

I'll agree with ich. "Fungus" appears more like fuzz, but one bacterial infection has a similar appearance.

The only other disease that would have the same appearance as ich (small white spots) is velvet, and these are usually smaller (like powder) - both ich and velvet have the same treatment, so there's no need to try and figure out which one your fish has. Since you've already started a chemical treatment (you should make a positive diagnosis before you begin treatment), you could continue with that as long as what you're using contains malachite green (or other form of copper), formalin, or both. Be aware that both malachite green and formalin are both known to be carcinogenic, so be careful when using these.

8 in the corner gives a more natural treatment if you want to go with something less harsh to your fish. Raising the temperature will help recovery in either treatment. This will speed up the life cycle so the encysted parasite on your fish (which isn't affected by medication) will drop off into the water sooner, where it can be killed. Don't stop treating when you no longer see the spots on the fish - a full treatment should be 10-14 days.

Answer 3

Ich or ick, look like grains of salt, white fungus looks kind of fuzzy, both are equally harmful, the fungus can get into the gills and really do some damage.

for your betta, you want to raise the temp a little, 80-85 but not a sudden change, that will cause more stress and it will get worse. Placing a desk lam at a distance may help acheive this. clean out his normal habitat really well, rinsinf and straining pebbles and gravel, rubbing and soaking any plants or decor in HOT water.

a little bit, 1/4 tsp of epsom salts will help with the stress, i'm assuming the bowl he came in was about 8 oz? you're doing fine so far!
continue treatment for 4-6 days after you see the white stuff go away. remember to do 50% water changes every day while he's in hit "hospital" bowl. treat the new water and make sure it's similar to the same temp before you add it. feed him sparingly as not to muck up the water.
good luck, i think you'll be just fine, as will your little one.

Answer 4

I am positive your fish has ich. Ich is actually a parasite and appears as a small white spot on the fish. It can be anywhere on the fish, but usually starts out on the fins. It looks like grains of salt. It will eventually kill the fish by feeding on the fluids in the fish's body.

A fungus is typically a growth of what looks like a cottony substance. It usually attacks an area of the fish that has been injured or where the slime coating has been rubbed off. The slime coating on fish is a natural barrier to parasites and bacterial or fungal infections.

You should never handle your fish with dry hands, the slime coat will stick to you and come off the fish. Also, if they ever jump out and hit the floor, you should immediately add some Stress Coat to their tank if they survive and you put them back in it.

If the medication does not work, you can try the heat method. Basically you raise the temp to 86 degrees F. and keep it there for 10 days, at least (the life cycle of ich is 7 days). Ich cannot breed above 85 degrees. Extra aeration is needed when the temp is raised because the heat forces O2 out of water.

Email me if you have some more concerns or need more info on the heat cure. I have used it successfully quite a few times in my life.

Answer 5

Fungus has very fine white hairs, and ick is a small white or grayish dot about the size of a pinhead. I would suggest that you increase the temp. to 80 degrees F and add 1/4 teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon. Do this until you have reached 1 teaspoon per gallon over a day or two. Then keep him there for 7 to 10 day. After that slowly reduce the temp. and salt content over the next day or two.

Answer 6

That sounds like ick. Ick consists of small white raised bumps. Fungus is not raised and is usually in patches. Also with fungus the fins will begin to rot. You've done all you can for right now. Let him stew in the medicine for 24 hours and then begin 25% water changes each day adding the correct amount of ick medicine with each change.

Answer 7

Ich = The name translates to "fish louse with many children", a title that fits well, as each parasite may produce over a thousand offspring.

Fungus = Spots that start out small and grow rapidly. They are usually white or light gray in color. They look like patches of mold that you get on vegetables if they are left in the refrigerator too long or fur on the fish. They are raised, not flat like Ick is. If the fish turn you can actually see it sticking out from the body.

Answer 8

Think of it this way, Betta's come from the dirty swampy rice paddies(patties) or swmps in china.I also keep my betta in the container. I change my betta's water about once every 3 months. I just add water when needed. I have had my Betta's for a year and a half. So I wouldn't worry to much about tiny spots.

Answer 9

Ich looks like a bunch of white dots all over, like large grains of salt. fungus will be more flat until it grows a hairy-ness to it.

for those who claim bettas like small dirty spaces, read the link below, and search around the site for accurate info, not the b.s. you have been told or try to tell yourself

Answer 10

its ick. fungus is a darker greenish color. just keep putting the ick drops in as recommended, he will get better soon.