less <

The number one way to prevent infections and disease in your fish is to keep the tank healthy, provide routine maintenance including regular water changes and feed them well and appropriately. Despite our best intentions, however, you may have to help your fish through a parasiticinfestation, fungal infection or other disease. A good illustrated book can help you decide what exactly is affecting your fish. Once you've narrowed it down, head to the pet shop for the appropriate treatment. It's also a good idea to keep a "Fish Medicine chest" on hand so that you're ready to tackle problems quickly.

Since medicine is often administered directly into the aquarium water, it's a good idea to have a separate hospital tank. The medication can upset the delicate biological balance of an established tank. Remove the carbon from the filter before you begin treatment. Raise the temperature in the tank slightly to encourage faster recovery. Some aquarium experts swear by salt treatments to rid fish of parasites and other illnesses. Find a good, thorough resource and use caution when administering a salt treatment to freshwater fish. Commercial medications are available for everything from fungalinfections to antibiotic treatments. Be sure to carefully follow the directions to avoid doing more harm than good. Medication, even when used properly, is stressful to fish. Avoid overusing or overdosing your finned friends. With careful administration, Fish Medicine can have your fish back in good health in no time.