If you happen to own one of these delightful and splendid creatures, you'd know that the Rainbow Shark, (Epalzeorhynchos Frenatus...look at me being fancy) - tends to be a bottom dwelling cohabitant of the aquarium,...keeping to itself for the most part, grazing on the occasional excrement, left over food, algae, vegetation etc.
Known for it's "Ike Turner-esque" temperament whenever another fish happens to be in its immediate territory - God FORBID there is another of its own kind - the rainbow shark (which is actually a minnow) can grow to become a beautiful specimen and easily the center of attraction in the tank with its sleek black body and vibrant red fins (kinda like, minus the fins). Imagine my surprise and utter dismay when my favorite rainbow shark (Leroy) looked as though he'd gone down on a slutty mermaid!
As it turns out, Leroy was suffering from a known condition known as mouth fungus (although it is actually a bacterial disease). It's most often found in tanks that have high bacterial loads and need require frrequent water changes and gravel vacs, overfeeding can lead to this nasty looking fungal infection as well. The disease is Flexibacter columnaris (so by now you realize I am a show off nerd). You will have most "experts" advise that a quick cure all like "Melafix" will solve the problem...and assuming you can even catch the bastard, it may. However, since Melafix is a crapshoot, it may not entirely resolve the issue.
Leory's Treatment: Isolation, treatment with an antibiotic (same as if he had actually hooked up with that slutty mermaid) and lower water temp (between 74-76 degrees (the bacteria actually thrives on higher in higher temps.
Today's PSA: If you have a fish that is exhibiting the same traits as Leroy, DON'T ' consider doing an intervention on his sexual addiction. DO however, act fast and treat this deadly condition....
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