Bettas with fungus

Question
I have two fish tanks: 1.5gal with 1 male betta; 2.5gal with 2 females. I cleaned the tanks on the same day (which never has happened before, never get the time to do both, but it just worked out that way on Saturday). Anway, by Monday morning, the females were sporting white fuzzy spots. I looked at the male, and he had what I thought was a boo-boo on his head, but now can clearly see is what the females have. It also looks like the females' fins are being "eaten away". Where I cleaned both tanks on the same day, I know I've cross-contaminated with fungus. I went Monday evening after work and bought Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Pro Series Triple Sulfa at the direction of the worker at the pet shop. I've never dealt with a fungus before and have had the fish since March of this year. The medicine claims to treat Hemorrhagic Septicemia, Mouth Fungus, Body Slime & Eye Cloud, Bacterial Gill Disease, and Fin & Tail Rot. I have followed dosing directions and have treated four days in a row as indicated on the box. The fish still have their white fuzz and their fins still look the same. They are still active and eat and swim around their tanks. How long does it take for the medicine to get them better? and Have I even used the correct medicine?
Thank you

Answer
Hi Paula
Sounds more like a bacterial infection called columnaris, and not a true fungal infection.  True fungal infections are usually a secondary infection to an injury or such.  More commonly though, when you see white fungus or cottony stuff on a fish, it's columnaris-especially if you have fin/tail rot along with it.  A lot of times it'll start as a red sore as well.  It has a lot of different symptoms.  I would try some Maracyn Two, which is a minocycline antibiotic geared towards treating gram negative bacterial infections-which columnaris is.  Or, you could try some tetracycline as well, but be sure you keep the tank light off when using that.  Here's a great link with some photos and a bit more info/symptoms of columnaris:

http://www.flippersandfins.net/Flexibacter.htm

The only thing I disagree with on that site, is the use of Maracyn or erythromycin because that's more effective against gram positive bacterias.  Most bacterial infections fresh water fish get are gram negative.  I recommend the tetracycline or Maracyn Two only because I see those more often at the local pet stores.  

I would do a 100% water change, and be sure to let the fish slowly adjust to the new water as well.  Then try the new antibiotic.  Not sure how often you're changing water on the tanks, but you may want to increase the number of water changes you do during the week.

Good luck and let me know if you have more questions.

Christy