| While tropical fish can be a wonderful hobby | | | | best for your environment. * White spots |
| that many people enjoy, they also can be | | | | on tropical fish are a very common disease |
| susceptible to diseases that if not caught | | | | that has a habit of showing up in new |
| early on can lead to early death of the fish | | | | aquariums. This is usually an indication |
| and also risk of it spreading to other fish | | | | that a parasite is making its home in your |
| in the same habitat. Although there are | | | | aquarium. Again, there are a number of |
| literally hundreds of diseases that tropical | | | | treatments available for this and many stores |
| fish can acquire, there is usually only a | | | | recommend that new aquariums be treated |
| handful that most owners have to be on the | | | | before any fish are introduced. * If |
| watch for. Let's look at some of them and | | | | your fish appear bloated this is a symptom of |
| help you understand how to identify them. | | | | a bacterial infection. It may also be |
| * Sometimes, straight from the store, fish | | | | indicated by what appears to be raised fins. |
| will die. This is usually caused by | | | | Most of the time the cause is poor water |
| something that is termed "new tank syndrome" | | | | conditions. Check your filter and if |
| and while not a disease as we traditionally | | | | necessary, upgrade the filter to handle your |
| think of them, it can be a problem unless you | | | | aquarium size. There are medications |
| learn how to avoid it. All new fish should | | | | available but they rarely work unless the |
| be introduced gradually to any environment. | | | | root cause (poor water) is resolved. * |
| A minimum of 24-48 hours of keeping the bag | | | | If your fish appear to have flaking scales, |
| the fish is in from the store emerged in the | | | | or dull color this can also be a sign of poor |
| new water will usually take care of this | | | | water conditions or the presence of |
| problem. However, if it persists it could be | | | | parasites. The parasites carry a disease |
| an indication that the water is not the right | | | | known as slime disease and there are |
| temperature for them to survive or that there | | | | medications available for this. The poor |
| are contaminants in the water that is causing | | | | water can be solved as noted above. |
| the sudden death. * If you see something | | | | We've given you a quick overview of some of |
| that looks like wool or cotton on the fish | | | | the more common conditions you may notice in |
| that does not mean they are preparing for | | | | your aquarium with your tropical fish. By |
| winter. It is a sign of an infection and if | | | | making sure you keep on top of the general |
| caught early enough can be treated with an | | | | health of your fish you can ensure that they |
| anti-fungal and/or a salt bath. Most experts | | | | will provide years of enjoyment and beauty in |
| recommend the anti-fugal treatment, and many | | | | your home or office. |
| pet and fish stores can recommend what it | | | | |