pamd

I think my new dragon might have mouth fungus. His lips are white against an otherwise dark face. They're not cottony looking, but somewhere I read it can start as a white line. The white is symmetrical and covers just his lips. He arrived this way and it looks the same as yesterday.

Should I start treating him with Triple Sulfa? If mouth fungus is likely, I have to start treatment very quickly, as I read that the disease can quickly kill when it gets so bad the fish can't eat. So far, he has a great appetite.

I'll post photos of him later or tomorrow, but I don't want the first pics I take of him to be in a disease thread.

Thanks for any advice!

Shawnie

oh no !!!! you must be a wreck....im not sure id start treating him just yet....maybe let him settle a bit more ? I know you dont wanna get a pic but it might help others help you more .....gosh I hope things are ok!!!

MissMTS

I hope it is not mouth fungus! I lost a cockatoo cichlid to that disease very quickly I would give him a day or two to settle in and then if things don't change, start treatment.

Pandora

Could it just be his natural colour? Sometimes bettas with masking can have some of the metallic on their lips... if it catches the light right it can look white.
Kinda like so: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/...91a578.jpg?v=0
Hopefully that's all it is! If not, sounds like you spotted it good and early at least

pamd

Shawnie, you're right. I know I should post a photo but almost in a superstitious way, I don't want to post it in a disease thread. I'll start a new thread or add to another existing one to show off how puurrty he is. Haven't taken photos yet.

I just got off the phone with Karen -- mostly so we could brag about our new boys. But she pretty much suggested the same as Kate. And we all know she has a lot of experience with new fish! She doesn't think it sounds like mouth fungus.

Jen, I suppose it could be his natural color, but it's quite white most of the time and looks gray-ish when he's in a shadow. The guy's lips in the photo look lighter, but closer to his overall coloring. He does have bright white on the tips of his ventral fins, though.

Thanks to all of you for your responses!

COBettaCouple

Our little Kairi had a marking like that. Have you tried a big magnifying glass? Those are good for checking them on something like this to see if it looks like natural coloring.

Martinismommy

Pam.....How is his mouth looking this morning? I'm thinking it is just from the stress of being shipped....He sure looks good in his photo on your other post...

Allie

That is an awesome idea...a magnifying glass would be very helpful checking bums for worms or odd thing out. Very excellent suggestion.