Fish diseases, how to diagnose? What is the appropriate method of treatment? And what can be done to prevent the disease occurs in an aquarium? These articles provide valuable advice on maintaining a healthy fish.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A SICK FISH?
Most fish diseases are infectious by viruses, bacteria and parasites. Diseases are not so easy to know, especially if not obvious the symptoms. However, other aquarist can think that the fish is sick.
These sick fish phenomena can be seen on aquarium fish.
- Behavior: the fish are very easy to get frightened.
- Swimming: fish swim improperly, and the fish can be scrape against the inside.
- Power: weight loss, food refusal.
- Breathing: the fish go to the surface to collect the air.
- The white spots symptom, white spots, inflammation of one or both eyes or the whole body, bristling scales, multiple injuries, etc.
Here are the most common symptoms in aquarium fishes, with their causes, suggestions for treatment and prevention.
Symptom 1 : Fin Damage, Clamped Dorsal.
fish disease - fin damage
The fins of most fishes consist of very thin membranes, amply supplied with blood-vessels, supported by the skeleton. Mostly pathogens choose to attack these areas.
The result is easily damage visible as splits in the membrane and/or superficial clouding of the fin edges. These symptoms are mostly happened in the dorsal and caudal fins. The most common causative organisms are bacteria, but unicellular parasites, especially Ichthyobodo necatrix (Costia), and skin flukes may parasitise the fins and lead to fin erosion.
Treatment should be achieved using Chloramine which specifically combats external bacteria and skin flukes. It is possible to use Acriflavine simultaneously or subsequently to eliminate any possible Costia infestation. In cases where fungal infection has spread to the fin base then subsequent additional treatment with Methylene Blue is recommended.
Prevention: Because the delicate fin membranes are particularly sensitive to unsuitable water conditions, the latter should be tested regularly. A sudden drop in pH and high levels of metabolic waste products (such as ammonia and nitrite) are particularly harmful. It is suggested that the problems are prevented by regular use of pH-constant to stabilize the pH of soft water, and water cleaner to accelerate detoxification of ammonia and nitrite in all aquaria.
Symptom 2: Fungus.
aquarium fish disease - fungus
Fungal infections are among the fish diseases most easily recognizable. They are symptoms cotton-like growths, which often starts at the bottom of a fine and can spread to affect the whole body of the fish. The majority of fungal infections in aquarium fish caused by Saprogenic, but sometimes the fungi of the genera and Phythium Achyla may be involved.
Treatment: In their advanced stage of fungal infection can be very stubborn, very tedious requiring repeated treatments. For this reason, the fish must be kept under constant observation so that fungal infections can be treated promptly before they spread. Malachite Green and Acriflavine can be given for this purpose. Particularly persistent cases, two drugs may be used at the same time to strengthen their impact.
Prevention: Since fungal infections are particularly prone to attack and damaged skin, one of the most important prerequisites of prevention is the provision of adequate water conditions for the species. So the best protection against harmful fungal infections is an effective conditioner to provide effective protection of the skin mucus. Additional protection can be provided by special filtration pellet, combined with many other trace elements contained in the granulated peat, will limit the development of fungal skin infections.
Symptom 3: White spots on the skin.
aquarium fish disease - whitespot
If the fish is seen huddle together in a corner of the aquarium, swim around the tank, or jerking movements, and are apparently not feeling well, then on closer look you can often see small pinhead-sized spots on the fins and skin. The white spots are single-celled parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis specimens, which is injected into the skin and the encysted there. This is known as white spot disease, a symptom and can be fatal, if the parasites multiply.
Treatment should be initiated as soon as the disease is diagnosed, because Ichthyophthirius can wipe out the entire population in an aquarium in a very short period of time. The treatment consists of malachite green, which must be administered, following the dosage instruction until small white dots disappear on the skin.
Prevention: Since Ichthyophthirius is highly virulent and very dangerous parasite, it is essential to avoid contact between fish and the pathogen. For this reason, the newly purchased fish should always be carefully checked for white spots. In addition, new fish possibly have in a separate quarantine tank for several days and observe closely before being introduced into the main tank.
Prevention is the best medicine.
Prevention is better than cure. Prevention requires the daily observation of fish and their environment, and this requires some knowledge. In the end, the best prevention would be to maintain a good balance in the aquarium.
In general, there are two types of fish diseases - infectious and noninfectious diseases. The first because of micro-organisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses to attack the fish. The second triggers are stress, poor diet, decreased temperature. Some pathogens are mixed with one part of the life cycle of a fish and one part in water. Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogenic microorganisms, but the environment (low water quality, malnutrition). It ‘important to avoid a cocktail of drugs and overdose. The treatment program must always be respected, even if symptoms disappear quickly.
Ornamental fish diseases can be successfully treated if the causes of stress are removed, as well as the fight against the pathogen with a proper medication. Metabolic wastes coming from fish and plants should be treated biologically before they pollute the water. In general, the optimal parameters of water are extremely important not only for prophylaxis, but also are absolutely necessary in case of illness occurs, the fish can recover quickly if your environment is nearly perfect.
When taking care of sick fish, it is best to feed them just enough and with natural food. Once the fish is treatment, provide a varied and balanced diet, in order to merge the healing process and to fight against fish diseases.