Rid Fungus

All-Natural Aquarium Disease Treatment

100% Organic Herbals based on Naphthoquinones
Helps Prevent and treat Single-Celled External Fish Diseases caused by Fungus
Equally Effective in Fresh and Salt Water
Safe for use with Aquatic Invertebrates
Made in U.S.A.

Kordon Rid-Fungus is an easy-to-use treatment made from 100% organic ingredients, perfect for treating various external and epidermal single-celled infections in your aquatic pets. With its broad spectrum of activity and non-toxic formula, Rid-Fungus effectively fights infections without needing a specific diagnosis. It works by halting the onset of infectious and external parasitic invasions, preventing many secondary infections in the process. In summary, Rid-Fungus tackles a wide range of infections, suppressing and eliminating them effectively.

This all-natural treatment is suitable for both freshwater and brackish water, as well as marine environments, targeting protozoan parasites found in fishes and aquatic invertebrates. From “white spot disease” to other ciliates and sporozoan parasites, Rid-Fungus provides reliable protection and ensures the health and well-being of your fish.

Item No.39844 RID-FUNGUS 4 fl.oz. (118mL) – treats 240 gallons
Item No.39856 RID-FUNGUS 16 fl.oz. (473mL) – treats 960 gallons

Directions

For use In Fresh, Brackish or Salt Water: Shake bottle well before each use. It is recommended to remove any activated carbon from filters so that the carbon does not reduce effectiveness of the treatment. Rid-Fungus does not interfere with the use of protein skimmers or UV ultraviolet sterilizers. However, protein skimmers remove herbal organics from the water. It is best to discontinue the use of protein skimmers during treatments with Rid-Fungus.

The Standard Dose of Rid-Fungus is 10 drops (from a medicinal eye dropper) per gallon or 1 teaspoon (approx. 5mL) of Rid-Fungus for every 10 gallons (approx. 45.5 liters) of water. In regular treatment repeat dose daily until 3-4 days after the last infection is observed, including in the mouth, gills, and nostrils. Cold water conditions may require a longer treatment time.

Water changes between treatments are not required for this treatment to be effective, and are not recommended to be done. After all of the treatments are completed, make a 20% or more water change. If tap water is used, it is recommended to use Kordon NovAqua Plus together with AmQuel Plus to detoxify the water being added.

The protozoan infections that are eliminated by Rid-Fungus include “white spot disease” (Ich) which is recognized by the very tiny white spots that are on the body and fins of the fish, and in the nostrils, gills, and mouth of the fish. Other protozoan and dinoflagellate infections are detected by their epidermal tissue destruction, including desquamation (loss of scales, shredding of skin), hemorrhaging, and respiratory difficulties.

Fungus is recognized as slimy to cottony growths on the surfaces of the fish, that usually are variously whitish, to yellowish, to brownish in color. In extreme infections the fungus kills the fishes. It is normally a secondary infection, so it is important to determine what the primary infection is.

If the fish have white spot disease, also called Ich (Ichthiophthirius), the treatment will need to be made daily every day without omission until all of the “white spots” have hatched out and their young have been killed by the treatments. This may take weeks for all of the “white spots” to hatch out. While they are in the “white spot” stage on the fish, there is no known effective treatment. Only when the “white spots” hatch out and are in a brief free-swimming stage are they susceptible to treatment.

For Use as a Disease Preventative when no infections are observed:Treat daily for one week, and continue for a longer period as needed for stressed fishes. Be aware that it is easy to miss seeing infections, particularly when they are out of sight, such as in the mouth, gills, and nostrils of the fish. Close observation is needed, including of the fish’s behavior to observe abnormal movements.

For well established or severe infections: double the dose. Continue treatments until a cure is effected. It is recommended that for double doses per day, one should be in the morning, the other later in the day. Note that some species of white spot disease (Ich) have only a few hours in the free-swimming stage at which time a treatment is effective in exterminating them. For these species of Ich treatments twice a day are essential for eliminating them to be sure none of the Ich escapes treatment.

Do not skip any treatment. For Ich each white spot will produce up to 250 young (in marine species) or up to 1000 young (in freshwater species). If the Ich or other infection returns when Rid-Fungus is used twice a day, it is safe to use a triple dose spaced throughout the day.

For Interconnected Multiple Aquarium Systems: Rid-Fungus can be used in aquariums that are interconnected with a central filtering system and where one or more aquariums are infected while others are not. Rid-Fungus will not harm the fishes, invertebrates, or plants of either the infected or non-infected aquariums. It will provide a means of stopping the spread of single-celled infections between the connected aquariums.

NUMBER OF TIMES PER DAY THAT TREATMENT IS NEEDED
It is described above, but considering the questions received on the subject it is stated again with additional information. The standard dose for Rid-Fungus is once per day for a single treatment, preferably to be made at about the same time each day. If the treatment is needed for a species of white spot disease (Ich) that has a free swimming and reproductive stage that is less than a day in length, such as 18 hours, then two standard-dose treatments are needed per day, such as once in the morning, and another later in the day such as in the evening. If the species of white spot disease (Ich) has a free swimming and reproductive stage that is less than 12 hours in duration, then three standard-dose treatments are needed per day, such as once in the morning, once at midday, and the third in the evening.

The different species of white spot disease (Ich) cannot be discerned without microscopic examination and the ability to identify the different species. The simple way to determine how frequently the treatments are needed without identifying the species is — if there are reinfections (such as new white spots are seen on the fish while the once-a-day treatments are being made) two treatments per day should be used.

If there are reinfections while the twice-a-day treatments are being made, three treatments per day should be used.

Treatments should be continued until absolutely every white spot is gone and the disease is not recurring. Since the white spots can be out of sight and easily overlooked, it is best to go three days or more in treatments after the last white spot is observed, including in the mouth, gills, and nostrils of the fish.

NUMBER OF DAYS NEEDED FOR DAILY TREATMENT

This depends upon the kind of infection, its strength, whether multiple infections are involved, etc. If Rid-Fungus is being used as a preventative and against mild infection, it can be that single daily treatments are needed for a week. If the infection is more serious, and multiple, daily treatments as described above are needed for several weeks — daily treatments as described above may be needed for a month or more.

Without water changes, over days the brownish color of the successive Rid-Fungus herbal treatments will increase in discoloration of the water. This is of no harm to the fishes and invertebrates. However, If this is unacceptable, partial water changes before a treatment can be made in order to keep the coloration from intensifying in the water. Otherwise, the water will clear over days after the end of treatments, particularly if a partial water change is made at the end of the treatments. If tap water is used for the water changes, it is recommended to use Kordon’s NovAqua+ and Amquel+ each time in order to detoxify the water.

No water changes, temperature or pH level adjustments are required prior to treatment. Maintain all normal filtration and air flow. Replace carbon after completion of the treatment. During water changes, treat replacement water with Copper-AID. For ornamental pond and aquarium fish use only. Not for human, medical or food fish use.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Chelated Copper Sulfate

Treatments

Kordon Rid-Fungus is one of three Kordon organic herbal treatments with multiple ingredients for elimination of external single-celled infections of fishes whether protozoan parasites (amebae, ciliates or dinoflagellates), or fungal.

All three treatments are based on the unique use of patented naphthoquinones exclusively used by Kordon as the basic ingredients. The three organic treatments can be used interchangeably, with Kordon Rid-Fungus particularly directed against all types of external fungal infections; Kordon Ich Attack particularly directed against all external protozoan and infections, including white spot disease (Ich); and Kordon Prevent Ich as a strong preventative that also serves as an effective external treatment of protozoans, dinoflagellates, and fungi.

The efficacy and length of treatments are the same for all three organic herbal naphthoquinone treatments. These three products come in two varieties, Aquarium and Pond.

All three Kordon organic herbal treatments have two important uses — elimination of single-celled infections, and prevention of single-celled infections from developing. Since a sizable number of fish infections are single celled, any one of these three treatments can be used when the disease is not identified and a treatment is needed in the hope that it will be effective. Any one these treatments can be used as a preventative, suppressing single-celled infections and allowing the immune system of the fishes to be effective in preventing the infections from developing.

A helpful advantage of these three organic herbals is that water changes are not necessary between daily treatments, saving on having to use tap water and their conditioners each day, or for marine aquariums in having to replace saltwater each day. The naphthoquinone ingredients of these organic herbals are as effective in salt water as in fresh water, providing an entirely new and effective way to handle coral reef aquariums without having to remove the marine invertebrates during treatments.

Dinoflagellate infections treated by Rid-Fungus are photosynthetic single-celled organisms which include Oodinium (velvet disease), Amyloodinium (coral fish disease), Tetrahymena, as well as other infectious dinoflagellates.

Rid-Fungus works well against fungi which are very important pathogens of fishes and their eggs. These fungi include for fresh water the species of Saprolegnia, Achlya, Leptomitus, Pythium, and for marine Exophiala, Ichthyophonus, Rid-Fungus is especially suitable for tropical marine aquariums containing aquatic invertebrates, because it also treats their fungal infections, while not adversely affecting coral reef animals, including corals, anemones, starfish, snails, crabs, and shrimp.

The herbals used in Rid-Fungus have been selected because they have been shown to have a powerful effect against aquatic diseases, yet are far more forgiving on the animals than harsh chemicals. What Kordon has created , led by Dr. Michael Tierra – a well known herbalist whose books on natural botanical treatments are widely read – is to determine carefully which herbals can be used together to cover a wide spectrum of external fungal and other aquatic diseases. The result is completely unique, very effective, and truly easy to use.

Fungus is one of the most common infections in aquarium fishes. Fungus is recognized externally mainly as a growth on the head, body, or fins that looks like cotton or tufts, often being whitish, but also may be yellowish, gray, brown, or another color. These growths are technically called hyphae. Fungus also can be slimy on surfaces, called water molds. All of these fungal infections are technically called Oomycete infections. Fungus can also be internal lesions or granulomas appearing in fishes, including in marine tropical fishes on infected organs as raised, white to yellow nodules or patches.

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

Kordon Rid-Fungus contains 5% active ingredients consisting of five natural organic herbals, based on their containing patented naphthoquinones. Totally free of chemicals (such as formalin and malachite) and all heavy metals, including zinc and copper. Does not affect pH of the water, or its oxygen content. Compatible with all Kordon water conditioners (NovAquas, Amquels, Fish Protector).

STABILITY

Kordon Rid-Fungus is stable indefinitely in the 5.0% aqueous solution, providing it is kept in a cool dark place to avoid decomposition. Refrigeration is a useful way to preserve the activity of the treatment.

COMPATIBILTY

Kordon Rid-Fungus as an organic herbal treatment is focused in its effectiveness in treating protozoan, fungal, and dinoflagellate infections. It may be an inhibitor, but is not an eliminator of infectious viruses, bacteria and multi-celled organisms. Rid-Fungus is compatible with the other Kordon organic herbal products, Rid-Fungus can be used with all Kordon Water Conditioners such as the NovAquas, the AmQuels, and Fish Protector.

Regarding the toxicity of Kordon Rid-Fungus to fishes and aquatic invertebrates — it is not toxic to them. It may be that fishes and aquatic invertebrates die during treatment but numerous repeated experiments at more than ten times dosages of Rid-Fungus have shown that the causes of their deaths are not the Rid-Fungus treatment, nor does it contribute to the causes of deaths. What has caused the deaths besides the infecting diseases, that are too far advanced to be cured by treatment, needs to be determined by the keeper.

Rid-Fungus is safe for use in all kinds of aquariums and ornamental ponds, as well as on scaleless fishes (such as loaches, elephant noses, electric eels, knife fishes and catfishes), coral reef fishes, young fish and fry, reef aquariums, aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates (such as snails, crustaceans, corals and sea anemones), amphibians and aquatic reptiles.

However, the success of this treatment (as with all effective treatments) is dependent upon starting treatment as soon as infections are anticipated or noted. It often can be late in the extent of infection when it is noted in fishes, which may be too late to save them. As an example, for some species of white spot disease (Ich), the infection usually starts unnoticed in the mouth, gills, and nostrils of the fish, only later appearing on the outside surface of the fish when it may be too late to save their lives by treatment.

Rid-Fungus will not stain sealants, ornaments, plastic or living plants, and will not unduly affect the pH or permanently discolor the water. Rid-Fungus does not affect beneficial nitrifying bacteria.