Common Aquarium Fish Diseases, Symptoms and Treatments

Fishes, contrary to popular belief, have a longer life span than most people would believe. It is the oversight of owners that cause a high percentage of fish loss. Conducive habitats are important to fishes well-being and stability in numbers. Maintaining a low incidence of common fish diseases would increase their rates of survival.

One common fish disease is ICH. This is a type of fish disease whereby the affected fish has white colored spots all over the body. When a fish is sick it is important to check for those white spots of the size and shape of the grains of salt over its skin. Such a affliction is caused by Ichthyophthirius in tanks containing freshwater and Cryptocaryon antigens in the saltwater tanks. Sometimes in addition to the body of the fish, the ICH may attack even the eyes and interiors of the mouth and even gills.

If the fish exhibit behaviors and symptoms such as gasping for air near the surface of the aquarium or rubbing against objects, it may be due to ICH. Loss of appetite is another symptom associated with the above mentioned ones. Fishes have low chances of combating ICH on their own. Copper sulfur medication needs to be administered in order that they can be cured. Antibiotic medication should be provided after the parasites are gone, in order to prevent them from recurring.

Velvet is a common bacteria with very similar signs to ICH, however, the spots on the body of the fish is smaller and dustier. Sometimes the spots may be gray or gold in color. The spots will be tinier and so they are more difficult to spot and attention should be paid to this aspect. Fishes that have contracted Velvet display similar symptoms to ICH, and will abrade itself against objects or show difficulty in breathing by trying to gulp in air near the surface of the water especially if the gills are infected. As with ICH, vets would generally advocate the use of copper medication as a form of treatment for Velvet.

A fungal infection may also develop quite commonly in fishes which appear in gray or white color over the body of the fish. This will be sighted in the fins or the mouths of the fish. An injury to the fish induced by another fish may also be the cause of this disease. Open wounds are highly prone to fungal infections. Suitable cures for fungal diseases are readily available from your local pet shop and can also be procured from pet suppliers registered online with ease.

Bacterial infection is a common occurrence among fishes. If you notice orange or red spot on the scales of the fishes, they are most probably bacterial infection. Dropsy is a frequent bacterial infection that is often noted. If the fish looks distended or has scales that bulge out, it is a sign that the infection is attacking the insides of the fish and it is. The fish would show signs of tiredness and a lack of interest in food. Medications such as penicillin, naladixic acid and tetracycline are most commonly used to cure bacterial infections.

Prevention is better than cure, and it will save you and your fishes a whole lot of trouble from treating them. The best way to provide a healthy environment for the fishes is to keep the aquarium clean. Do keep a look out for fishes that threaten or assault other fishes and keep such combative fishes apart. The quality of the water, the size and space for the fishes and the species of the fishes should be monitored regularly.

Dear in mind that the fishes can still fall prey to infections and afflictions at some juncture despite your best efforts. It is important to try to cure the disease as soon as possible to reduce the chances of it spreading and contaminating other fishes.