Bacterial Ulcer Disease
Open sores or ulcers on the body caused by Aeromonas or Pseudomonas bacteria. Often secondary to wounds, handling stress, or poor water quality. Ulcers can deepen rapidly and become life-threatening.
Check these symptoms in your tankSymptoms of Bacterial Ulcer Disease
- Open sores or ulcers on body
- Faded or lost color
- Lethargic / hiding more than usual
- Refusing to eat
- Ragged or fraying fins
How to treat Bacterial Ulcer Disease
- Quarantine affected fish immediately
- Kanamycin or Chloramphenicol for deep/severe ulcers
- For surface ulcers: clean with diluted iodine and apply Neosporin externally (for large fish)
- API Furan-2 for mild systemic bacterial treatment
- Maintain pristine water quality throughout treatment
How to prevent it
- Handle fish minimally and gently
- Treat wounds promptly before bacteria colonize
- Ensure optimal water parameters and nutrition
Conditions with similar symptoms
Bacterial (and sometimes fungal) infection affecting fins and tail. Usually secondary to stress or poor water quality. Fins appear to disintegrate from the edges.
Highly contagious bacterial disease. Appears as white/gray patches, often starting at the dorsal area or mouth. Sometimes called "cotton mouth" or "saddleback". Progresses rapidly, fish can die within days.
Fluffy white or gray cotton-like patches on body, fins, or around mouth. Often secondary to wounds, fin rot, or poor water quality.
Not sure? Use the symptom checker
Many fish diseases look alike. Pick the symptoms you see in the free fish disease checker to compare likely causes, or scan a test strip to rule out a water problem first.