Signs your fish is sick may be as common as the signs that you might notice when any living being is not feeling well. You need to pay attention to your fish so that you can learn their behavior patterns and mannerisms. If you pay close attention to them, you will notice that your fish look and behave differently when they are not feeling well. It is important that you recognize such signs early, because it could mean the difference between life and death for your animals. Once a disease or parasite infects even one of your fish in a small, enclosed area like your aquarium, it will not take long for it to spread to all of the other fish. If you can avoid this dilemma in the first place, then it will ultimately cause you the least amount of grief.

Signs your fish is sick may take many forms. Some of the signs of illness that you should look for with almost any variety of fish include the following. Swimming slowly or gasping for air at the water's surface are signs that your fish is not receiving enough oxygen. Other signs your fish is sick may include swimming with clamped fins, or a change of color in the gills. These are also usually indicators that your fish is not receiving enough oxygen. If you suspect that your fish is oxygen deprived, you should address the problem immediately.

If your fish is bloated and/or has enlarged eyes, he may have a bacterial infection. Such diseases are difficult to diagnose, so be sure to quarantine your sick fish, and have him examined.

Other signs your fish is sick could be parasites on the body. If this happens, remove the infected fish from the tank and put him in a separate, smaller tank until you have removed all of the parasites. You will then need to treat your fish with drops of Mercurochrome.

The maladies listed in this article are the most common signs your fish is sick, but there are numerous other ailments and diseases that could befall your fish. Fish stores sell a variety of antibiotics and antifungal treatments that you can use to treat many fish diseases. The most important thing that you can do to ensure the health of your fish is to make frequent water changes and make sure that any new fish that you buy do not display any of the typical signs your fish is sick.