Common Fish Problems and Treatment
White Spot: A common disease amongst aquarium life. It is easily recognised as small spots of white on fish’s scales, tail or gills. The parasite that causes white spot is known as Ichthyophthirius multifilis. The disease causes small white cysts over the fish that can be often hard to see. These cysts grow, eventually bursting and releasing the infectious stage of the organism. White spot can be easily treated with White Spot Eliminator or Mulitcure and is aided by raising the temperature of the tank to 28 degrees for 10 days. These treatments contains Malachite green and either Formaldehyde or Acriflavine. These treatments will make the water in your tank bright green and reduce oxygen levels, make sure to add an airstone and remove all porous ornaments as well as the filter carbon before adding this treatment.
Velvet Disease: Often hard to spot, Velvet disease can be life threatening and can often wipe out entire tanks of fish. Fish often become quite weak with this disease and can be seen scratching there scales on the gravel or ornaments. Velvet disease is caused by a parasite called oodinium and can be seen as a fine sheen on the fishes scales, often harder to spot in light coloured fish. Fighting fish, gouramis and goldfish are the most susceptible to this disease. Velvet can be treated with medication containing copper sulphate or acriflavine such as Multicure. Is it also wise to limit the amount of light the tank receives as this will slow the parasites life cycle. Some treatments will make the water in your tank bright green, make sure to remove all porous ornaments as well as the filter carbon before adding to the aquarium.
Dropsy: An easily recognisable disease. The infected fish will appear very bloated, so much so that its scales will be forced outward, giving the fish a pinecone appearance. Unfortunately once the problem has progressed this far the fish does not usually survive. Dropsy is usually caused by renal (kidney) failure leading to accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. If the disease is caught early small water changes everyday and treating for bacterial problems is the best course of action.
Fin Rot: Usually occurs when environmental conditions are unfavourable. Low temperatures, physical damage and dirty water all encourage the harmful bacteria. Often shortened and/or frayed fins with or without a white rim around them are seen along with red veins in the tail and fins. Test the water to make sure ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are at the correct levels then treat with an antibacterial treatment such as Melafix.
Gill and Skin Flukes: Flukes are small parasites which burrow into the skin or collect on the gill membranes; they are often seen protruding from gill covers. Fish often have violent and frequent swallowing motions including panting and scratching. Do not try to physically remove flukes; instead treat with a medication containing Praziquantel. Flukes will infect fish, even if they are previously healthy. The best way to prevent flukes from appearing is to always quarantine new fish and never feed live foods.
Pop-eye: The cause of pop-eye is usually by high nitrates or traces of ammonia or nitrite in the water. The eyes protrude from the skull due to a build up of fluid in the surrounding areas. If left untreated bacterial and fugal infections can result. Recommended treatment for pop-eye is frequent large water changes and a dose of aquarium salt at the rate of 1 teaspoon per litre.
Swim Bladder Problems: The swim bladder in fish controls buoyancy. Any problem with a fish’s swim bladder can inhibit its ability to swim properly. Swim bladder problems often cause fish to float to the surface or swim upside down. These problems are more prevalent in goldfish, especially the fancy varieties, but can also affect other species. Although there are a number of things that can impact on the swim bladder, diet is by far the most common one. Goldfish need a diet high in fibre and low in protein so it is very important to feed a varied diet of vegetables such as peas or zucchini as well as a flake or pellet food.
Ammonia Poisoning: Ammonia is toxic to fish, its burns the skin and gills of the fish. Ammonia poisoning often results in disfigured, discoloured, or inflamed gills. Their fins can turn black from the burns. Fish are seen gasping for air at the surface due to the damage done to their gills. Poisoning is caused by the accumulation of organic waste. This can be due to overfeeding, fish or plant deaths, or improper cycling. The easiest way to confirm ammonia poisoning is by testing the water; you can do this at home with a test kit or visit us with a water sample for us to test. You can prevent ammonia poisoning by not overfeeding and performing regular water changes.
Nitrite Poisoning: Poisoning causes similar effects as ammonia and is caused and treated the same way.
Incorrect pH: Extremely high or low PH often results in inflamed or bleeding gills, rapid gill movement and gasping for air at the surface. Test your pH with a test kit or come into Springfield Pet and Aquarium to get your water tested. A pH that is not suited to the fish you keep can increase the risk of developing other diseases as well as death.
Nitrate Build-Up: Nitrate is harmless to fish in low concentrations. It builds up naturally in the aquarium and the only way to remove it is by performing regular water changes. If it is left to build up it will lower the fish’s immune system, making them at risk to infections and parasites. By changing 25% of the water weekly nitrates will be diluted to a harmless level.
Medication Poisoning: Some medications used to treat diseases for fish can have harmful affects on invertebrates. To prevent invertebrate death always read the label on the medication bottle and remove snails and crustaceans from the tank before treating it.
