Fin Rot

Bacterial infection

Fins appear shredded, frayed, or decaying. Fin Rot is frequently mistaken for damage from fin-nipping fish. Contrary to the name, this is actually caused by bacteria, not fungus.

Suggested Treatment Period:

7 days or until infection clears

Special Considerations

Fin Rot is often found as a secondary infection (that’s an infection that started because the fish was already sick). Make sure to check for additional infections.

Hemorrhagic Septicemia

Aeromonas hydrophilia

Reddish streaks in the fins near the body or under scales. Common in goldfish. Associated with overcrowding and stress, particularly in goldfish and koi. It can also be caused by a virus.

Suggested Treatment Period:

1 week

Special Considerations

This infection is strongly linked to crowding and poor water conditions. Make sure your fish have clean water and plenty of space.

Ich (White Spots)

Ichthyophthirius (freshwater) / Cryptocaryon (saltwater)

Looks like salt sprinkled on the fish’s body and fins. Usually accompanied by twitching, flashing, and other signs of stress and irritation. Several parasites are grouped under this name, but the symptoms are almost identical. Ich is among the most common infections of fish, and is entirely treatable with diligence and attention to water quality.

Suggested Treatment Period:

14 days

Special Considerations

It is very important with this parasite to continue dosing for the full treatment period. A break in the medication allows the parasite to multiply and reinfect the fish.

Mouth Rot

Columnaris

Damaged fins, ulcers and yellowish patches on gills, tissue on head and mouth eaten away. This infection appears gruesome, but is entirely treatable. It is common to see fungus-like tufts around the face and mouth in addition to deterioration of tissue. It is essential to catch this disease early to prevent long-term damage.

Suggested Treatment Period:

1 week

Special Considerations

Columnaris is very contagious. If possible, remove the infected fish to treat separately in a hospital tank.

Fungus

Cotton-like tufts of white fiber. Almost always a secondary infection (appears when fish is already infected with a disease). True fungal infections, while unsightly, generally do not pose an immediate danger to fish.

Suggested Treatment Period:

1 week or until fungus clears

Special Considerations

Fungus is relatively easy to treat and almost never fatal on its own. However, it tends to appear as a secondary infection, meaning there is a more serious disease causing the fish to be susceptible to a fungus.

Directions:

Before Treating

Remove all invertebrates – these are extremely sensitive to medication. Turn off UV filters, ozone filters, and remove chemical filtration like MatrixCarbon and Purigen. Ensure that your tank is fully cycled and stable; poor water quality is the root cause of most fish diseases, and adding medication will do no good if the water chemistry is still bad.

Dosing

Use 1 measure (included) per every 40 L (10 US gallons) of water. Repeat this dose every 72 hours for a maximum of 2 weeks. Repeat every 3 days for up to 2 weeks or until symptoms disappear. Use whenever introducing new fish.

After Treating

When the treatment period is over, PolyGuard™ can easily be removed using activated filter carbon like MatrixCarbon. It does not linger in the substrate or filter media of the tank.

Safety

Aquarium Use Only. Keep Away from Children. For ornamental fish only. Not for human consumption. Not to be used in conjunction with animals used for human consumption.