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