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Plenipotentiary-at-large
After remembering that molds are a type of fungus, did some research to ensure that I was not subjecting forum readers to a lot of spurious BS regarding suggestions offered on dealing with "mold" smells emanating from an aquarium. To wit:
Molds are a subgroup of the larger kingdom of Fungi, and typically do not thrive underwater as they require more oxygen than is generally so available, however some species can be found on the surface of slow-moving or still water, and particularly in situations that afford high nutrients, e.g., sewage. So while it is possible to have "mold" growing in an aquarium, it is unlikely to occur beneath the surface. This is not the case with the larger group of fungus, which can occur and manifest as fin-rot (though it is more typically bacterial infection), or be mis-diagnosed as the cause of mouth-rot that is always bacterial and not fungal in nature.
Aquatic fungi are commonly referred to as "water molds" and include species of Achyla and Saprolegia. These are likely present in most aquaria, breaking down organic material (and very efficient de-nitrifiers, more so than bacteria). They are almost invariably only a problem for fish that have experienced some other previous physical trauma or excessive stress and are therefore secondary rather than primary causes of disease.
While the terms "mold" and "fungus" are often used interchangeably in common parlance, molds are a type of fungi, and water molds are distinct from the familiar molds that occur in damp (not submerged) conditions that are familiar to most peoples experience (and noses).
Note: Molds are not contagious since they are opportunistic to the extent that they require and will only parasitize fish that are already compromised rather than infesting the inhabitants of an entire tank.
That is all.
Molds are a subgroup of the larger kingdom of Fungi, and typically do not thrive underwater as they require more oxygen than is generally so available, however some species can be found on the surface of slow-moving or still water, and particularly in situations that afford high nutrients, e.g., sewage. So while it is possible to have "mold" growing in an aquarium, it is unlikely to occur beneath the surface. This is not the case with the larger group of fungus, which can occur and manifest as fin-rot (though it is more typically bacterial infection), or be mis-diagnosed as the cause of mouth-rot that is always bacterial and not fungal in nature.
Aquatic fungi are commonly referred to as "water molds" and include species of Achyla and Saprolegia. These are likely present in most aquaria, breaking down organic material (and very efficient de-nitrifiers, more so than bacteria). They are almost invariably only a problem for fish that have experienced some other previous physical trauma or excessive stress and are therefore secondary rather than primary causes of disease.
While the terms "mold" and "fungus" are often used interchangeably in common parlance, molds are a type of fungi, and water molds are distinct from the familiar molds that occur in damp (not submerged) conditions that are familiar to most peoples experience (and noses).
Note: Molds are not contagious since they are opportunistic to the extent that they require and will only parasitize fish that are already compromised rather than infesting the inhabitants of an entire tank.
That is all.
