| Here's a very quick summary of symptoms and | | | | to a separate tank, correct water chemistry, and treat |
| information about the most common diseases that can | | | | sick fish with antibiotics like penicillin and tetracycline. |
| affect our gilled friends - there's lots more information | | | | * Cottony white substance appearing on surface |
| available online and in books: | | | | injuries or mouth |
| * Red or bleeding gills | | | | Common fungal infection; exacerbated by poor water |
| A sign of incurable ammonia poisoning, usually caused | | | | conditions and/or "tank bullies" which cause injury to |
| by a new tank that doesn't have a nitrogen cycle | | | | other fish. Correct water chemistry and treat with an |
| going yet, or an old one that's lost its beneficial bacteria. | | | | aquarium fungicide. |
| There's not much you can do for these fish, | | | | * Small white granules or pimples, mostly on the fins |
| unfortunately; educate yourself about biological filtration | | | | This is the dreaded "Ich", or Ichthyophthiriasis, an |
| and try again. | | | | infestation of parasites. It's difficult to treat because the |
| * Spots or streaks on the body which appear red or | | | | protozoans can only be destroyed after the pimples |
| orange | | | | break open, and they often mature enough to infect |
| * Fungus-like growths, or a white or gray film on the | | | | other fish before tank treatment is complete. There |
| body. | | | | are a handful of medications and preventive |
| * Dropsy (bloating) | | | | treatments available in stores; read instructions, use |
| Evidence of various bacterial disorders. Salt baths, or | | | | quarantine carefully, and ask for advice from fish store |
| antibiotics such as tetracycline, penicillin and naladixic | | | | employees and fellow hobbyists about your particular |
| acid can be used to treat affected fish in a separate | | | | tank situation. |
| hospital tank. Remember that the antibiotics will kill your | | | | * Black patches on the body and fins, with or without |
| good bacteria too - don't add them to your main tank | | | | body swelling |
| water! | | | | This is a myxobacteriosis infection, uncommon but |
| * Tiny black specks on the body | | | | easily medicated. Commonly caused by overcrowding |
| A sign of "Black Spot" or diplopstomiasis, an infestation | | | | and poor water quality. |
| of parasite larva. Medications are readily available at | | | | * Powdery white speckles on body skin |
| any fish store. | | | | Velvet, or oodinium, is a parasitic disease similar to Ich, |
| * White or gray film on the eyes | | | | but easier to treat with commercial medications. Often |
| Cataracts happen when fungus grows on the eyes - it | | | | caused by chilling or transportation stress. |
| happens most frequently when your water is high in | | | | * Visible worms, flukes or lice on the body |
| ammonia or nitrates. Correct water chemistry and | | | | Simple parasitic infestation. Remove from tank, |
| treat with an aquarium fungicide. | | | | physically remove visible parasites, and treat with |
| * Bulging "pop" eyes | | | | commercial medications. Follow instructions carefully; |
| Corneybacteriosis usually happens when poor water | | | | lack of follow-up treatment may cause re-infestation |
| quality is caused by overcrowding. Remove some fish | | | | or fungal or bacterial infections. |