Read About Aquarium Fish Sick

Aquarium Fish Sick -- basic knowledge about common diseases, treatment and precautionary measures. Here's everything you need to know about this problem.

Aquarium Fish Sick - Facts

1. Problem Definition:

   Most aquarium fish fall sick to common diseases that could be treated easily and certain preventive measures could eradicate the problem totally. The most common fish diseases are White Spot, ammonia poisoning, external bacterial infection, Dropsy, parasites, fungus and velvet.

2. Symptoms:

   Here is a helpful list to easily diagnose the trouble:
   1. White Spot - body of fish is dotted all over with white spots, fish refuses to eat, rubs itself vigorously against objects inside the tank (Velvet)
   2. Velvet: body of fish is dotted all over with white spots (only in the initial stage), rubs itself vigorously against objects inside the tank, refuses to eat, there are cysts and white mucus-like substance all over the body.
   3. Bacterial Infection: Fish is inactive and remains at the bottom or at the top of the tank, refuses to eat, visible red streaks on the body.
   4. Inflamed gills: Fish displays red streaks on the body.
   5. Fungal Infection: Fish has white cottony formations around the gills and the mouth.
   6. Dropsy: The fish's belly is swollen and the scales are turned outward.
   7. Fin rot and Tail rot: The tail and fins are broken and shredded.

   8. Duration of Problem:

      The duration is variable with each disease but one week of neglect is too late and the fish usually beyond cure. In some cases, like Itch, Velvet, etc, only timely action will prevent massive outbreaks.

   9. Exposure:

      Ill maintained tank is, almost always, the major culprit. It induces stress in fish and also becomes favorable breeding place for all sorts of malicious organisms.

Aquarium Fish Sick - Prevention & Treatment

1. The Treatment:

   Treatment will usually take a week or, in some cases of delayed diagnosis, up to 3-5 weeks to affect a complete cure. Most medicines are commercially available and detailed instructions come with the medicines. Ammonia poisoning has no cure.

2. Prevention:

   Change of water must be followed immediately after the outbreak. Often in cases of major outbreak or fatal diseases like Velvet, it is better to shift all the cured or non-infected fish to another tank and sanitize the infected aquarium. Treating with bleach and placing the tank in hot sun for a couple of days is recommended. All the ornaments in the tank should be cleaned too.

3. Precautions:

   Cleaning the filters and replacing filter media as often as necessary, effecting 10% water change every week is vital for a healthy aquarium.

4. Helpful Supplies:

   Water testing kits and medicines like penicillin and malachite green are useful to have around.

Aquarium Fish Sick - Concerns

1. Level of Seriousness:

   Diseases like White Spot and Velvet are very dangerous and are fatal too. Early treatment is a must. Ammonia poisoning has no cure but the water must be immediately changed to prevent further deaths.

2. Lasting Consequences:

   Except tail rot and fin rot, all other diseases do not leave behind any reminders. The infected tails in case of rot disease grow back but are usually discolored.

3. Genetics:

   All fish are equally susceptible to the diseases mentioned here.

4. Lifestyle Accommodations:

   No major changes are necessary unless a massive outbreak jolts the routine.

5. Expense:

   All the diseases demand inexpensive medicines but the real investment is the effort and care for your fish.