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Encyclopedia on Pets

Archive article, written 2009–2016. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian. About our articles

Encyclopedia on Fish disease
Fish may seem like they are low maintenance. However, like any other animal they can get disease, which may kill them if left untreated. The key to keeping your fish healthy is to be able to diagnose when your fish are getting sick and to be able to identify what disease or condition they have contracted.

One of the most common conditions fish may get is a bacterial infection. If you suspect that your fish has obtained this look for the following signs.
  • Has the fin eroded or rotted away? Does the fish have holes of tears in their fins?
     
  • Does your fish have a series or sores on their body? Is any area of the fish red or raised?
     
  • Does your fish act differently? Are they slower than usual?
     
  • Does your fish's eyes appear cloudy?

This may be a sign that your fish have obtained bacterial infection. They can contract bacterial infections from a myriad of things. It can be obtain from other fish, the water, the food, etc. If your fish have a bacterial infection, it is important to treat your entire tank with an antibiotic solution. You can find this in any retail or pet store. If this does not help the condition of your fish, it may be a fungal infection. To treat that you can purchase malachite green to treat each individual infected fish.

Another common condition your fish may develop is parasites. Like a other fish bacterial infection, the fish often will become more sluggish than normal. If the fish parasites are in a controlled number, they pose no danger. The key to preventing fish parasite infections is to control the number of parasites by limiting the amount of fish you may have in your tank or pond.

The following are signs that your fish may have a parasite infection.

  • Does your fish constantly rub against the tank or the edge of the pond?
     
  • Does any area of the body appears red or raised? Do the fish have little white patches?
     
  • Do you notice anything growing or attached to the fish?
     
  • Does your fish appear to have trouble breathing?
     
  • Does your fish have a healthy appetite?
The most common condition which fish obtain is called Ich. To treat a fish with this, you can find the remedy in your local retail or pet store. Read the directions carefully and apply to the fish until signs have disappeared.

Sluggishness is a symptom of almost every condition a fish may develop. If your fish appear to have symptoms that do not fit any of the above symptoms, it may be the condition of the water that is the problem. Did you treat your water before putting fish into it? This is an important step that tends to be skipped resulting in your fish dying as soon as you bring them home from the store. To prevent this problem, fill the tank and allow your water to sit for a few days and run the filter and air pump. It also important to be careful not to overfeed your fish, this will create more problems for your fish. Read the directions on the food package. In addition, be careful. Do put aggressive fish with slow fish. If you see that a fish is be overly aggressive in your tank separate your fish.

Tip. Do not allow the temperature and pH of your water to fluctuate. This may kill your fish. Keep a thermometer and regularly check the pH level of your tank.

In the event that you have a fish to die, examine the fish for fin rot, sores, etc. If you see there is a problem, treat the fish in your tank for the corresponding problems. Be sure to change the water in your fish tank as well. You may also want to take your fish to the pet store or fish specialist to more accurately diagnose the problem.