disease not mentioned on my chart

Question
I have some guppies, only a few now. They are dying very quickly from some kind of white band that goes around their middle and their fins get rough looking. I always use copper safe and test strips to check the water. Everything is fine there. I bought some Maracyn-Two because I couldn't find any Maracyn-Plus. I guess since I've gone from 20+ fish to 4 now it really doesn't matter now buy I'm just curious. I spent $17.00 on the Maracyn-Two and I think it would have been better to flush them all and start over buy they were just starting to have babies. Do you have any idea what has happened? I don't want it to happen again and would like to know what to do if it does. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Peggy:  never flush fish... its very cruel.  The water basically burns them to death.  Sounds like your disease is a fungal based disease and not parasitical.  I would use a strong fungal medicine on them and add aquarium salt to the water to help.  Make sure you are cleaning your gravel really good.  I know when fish start having babies its difficult to keep the gravel clean...but I have always used snails... when I cant clean the gravel myself.  The little brown pond snail multiplies like crazy so make sure you use the snails in only one tank because one you have them it is very difficult to get rid of them.  Also... it is important to make sure that expecting mothers have good nutrition... they love brine shrimp as treats and tubiflex worms as well.  Keep trying... im sure they will perk up.... dave