Post by Darren Lim on Mar 15, 2004 23:35:16 GMT -5
Acidosis
What is it ?
This is not a disease in itself but rather an ailment as a result of a low pH.
Various fish have different pH requirements but when a fish that cannot tolerate acidic softer water is placed in water of pH 6 or below, Acidosis occurs.
The skin will become increasingly irritated and may burn slightly.
The fish will produce more mucus ( fish slime on the body ) to protect itself.
Symptoms:
Excessive mucus production, patchy peeling white flakes on the body, listlessness, heavy breathing.
May also lay close to the gravel layer still or gasping at the water surface.
Treatment:
Requires immediate treatment else fish death occurs quickly.
Immediately seek to correct the pH level.
Test using a pH testing kit to see what level it is at and increase it accordingly with either pH up buffering salts or off the shelf buffers.
Co2 Poisoning
What is it ?
Having excessive amounts of Co2 in the water causes difficulty in breathing for the fish.
In excessive amounts, they will have difficulty breathing and may subsequently die.
Symptoms:
Gasping at the water surface and/or fast breathing.
Treatment:
Ensure water is well aerated by means of a airstone to agitate the water surface.
Also perform a partial water change with aged water.
If Co2 injection is required , check the amount being released into the tank and regulate accordingly.
Columnaris
What is it ?
This disease is caused by Bacterium. It is usually found isolated around the mouth area.
Early treatment is necessary due to the toxin released by the bacterium as well as the fact that the fish will effectively stop eating once this disease is contracted.
Symptoms:
Early signs include a thin white line around the lips of the fish which later turns into white or grey short tufts that resemble fungus around the lip regions.
Treatment:
One of the only effective medication to cure this disease would be an antibiotic treatment regime.
Penicillin is very effective at 10.000 units per litre, with a second dose after two days.
Prepare to treat the whole tank where the infected fish has been as other tank inhabitants may have contracted the disease as well.
As with most parasitic diseases, HITH seems to target sick or stressed fish, in poor water conditions.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.
Dropsy
What is it ?
Dropsy is caused by a bacterial infection of the kidneys and other internal organs, causing fluid accumulation or even renal failure. The body would swell up and cause the scales to protrude. Eyes that appear popping may also result.
Symptoms:
Protruding scales, pop eyes, bloated.
Treatment:
Treatment is usually in vain by this stage of the infection but some success has been reported using Sera Baktopur and/or other Internal Anti-parasites medication.
Fin Rot
What is it ?
Fin rot can be the result of several conditions such as bacterial infection, attack from tank mates etc.
The most common attribute to the cause of this 'disease' is that of poor water condition, which leads to lower immunity in the fish, making it more susceptible to external bacterial infections.
Symptoms:
Frayed, ragged, discolored and/or damaged fins.
Fins could also have a lining of reddish coloration mixed with white small ulcers.
Fish will also be lethargic with little movement.
Treatment:
Fin rot medication will help but treatment must be carried out as soon as possible. Slight increase in water temperature, as well as the addition of aquarium salt will help speed up the healing process.
Separation and isolation of the sick fish may be wise too, in the case of overtly aggressive tank mates.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.
Gill Flukes
What is it ?
They are tiny worm-like parasites that are rarely seen by the naked eye.
They attach to the fish with hooks-like structures. This parasite is highly contagious and quickly spreads in an affected aquarium, so treatment must be carried out as soon as possible.
Symptoms:
Fish also may display flashing, rubbing, glancing against aquarium décor.
Fish will also appear lethargic and breathe heavily with difficulty.
Excessive mucus may also be produced on the body of the fish.
In extreme situations, whitish growth can be seen at the gills of the fish.
Treatment:
As with most parasitic diseases, this disease seems to target sick or stressed fish, in poor water conditions.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.
Many gill fluke treatments exist, with effective ones containing Malachite Green.
Adding moderate amounts of aquarium salt also aids in the treatment of this disease.
Certain medication using antibiotics may also help speed up the healing process.
Hexamita
What is it ?
Commonly known as hole in the head.
Despite its common name HITH, it is actually a disease that originates in the gut of the fish.
Hexamita infects fish by ingestion with food.
This is a parasistic Flagellate which generally affects larger cichlids.
This disease is highly contagious and the fish and its fellow inhabitants should all be treated even if they do not yet show visible symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms:
Fish appears thin with sunken stomaches.
Sores or ulcer like growths may also be present on the head.
Visible holes or pits will also be seen on the head of the fish if the disease is in the later stages.
Treatment:
A very effective treatment for Hexamita is any product which has metronidazole as its main effective ingredient.
There are also other alternatives to this medication in the form of capsules, powdered or liquid medication.
As with most parasitic diseases, HITH seems to target sick or stressed fish, in poor water conditions.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.
Lack Of Oxygen
What is it ?
Fish require oxygen in the water to respirate.
If it is lacking, they will have difficulty breathing and may subsequently die.
Symptoms:
Gasping at the water surface and/or fast breathing.
Treatment:
Ensure water is well aerated by means of a airstone to agitate the water surface.
Also perform a partial water change with aged water.
Swim Bladder Disease
What is it ?
Not so much of a disease but rather a genetic abnormality caused by excessive inbreeding/crossbreeding.
Occurs very commonly in gold fish but may occur in other species of fish too.
Wind is trapped in the stomach of the fish and they have no way to expel it, hence affecting their buoyancy control.
Symptoms:
Abnormal swimming patterns, belly up swimming, unable to control swimming patterns.
Treatment:
This condition is rarely cured totally with medication.
However slight increase in water temperatures as well as the addition of aquarium salt seems to help slightly.
Epsom salts, used in moderation has also be a recommended remedy by many fish keepers.
Tap Water Poisoning
What is it ?
Tap water contains various chemicals such as chlorine and chloramine that make it safe for us to drink but are substances that are highly toxic to fish.
Introduction of water which has not been properly treated will result in fish being poisoned. Fish death can occur swiftly.
Symptoms:
Fish may be seen gasping and fast breathing at the surface.
It may also lose its color and stay motionless and lethargic at the bottom of the tank.
Treatment:
If you have already added the water, add the necessary water conditioners to make the water safe for fish use. Chemical additives like antichlorine, antichloramine and additives that remove trace metal elements in water.
As a general rule, always ensure water is conditioned first before introduction into the tank to prevent unnecessary fish death.
Velvet
What is it ?
Velvet is caused by a dinoflagellate.
The free swimming stage of Velvet settles on the skin and gills of the aquarium fish, adhering at first by its long flagellum, later putting out pseudopodia, (similar to fingers) that penetrate the skin and give it a very firm grip.
As with most parasitic diseases, Velvet is generally only a problem with the immunity of the fish is lowered due to stress, poor water quality and a list of other factors.
Symptoms:
Gold or brownish spots all over the body and fins of the fish. Similar looking to Ich but spots are finer.
Fish also may display flashing, rubbing, glancing against aquarium décor.
Fish may also appear lethargic and breathe heavily.
Treatment:
Velvet is very contagious and so treatment must be immediate once diagnosis has been confirmed.
An effective remedy for this disease would be any medication that has Copper sulphate as its main effective ingredient.
Treat as per medications' instructions. Be careful with dosing when dealing with more sensitive species of fish. Slight addition of aquarium salt will also help.
Also take note that certain species of crustaceans cannot tolerate even trace amounts of copper sulphate.
As with most parasitic diseases, this disease seems to target sick or stressed fish, in poor water conditions.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.
What is it ?
This is not a disease in itself but rather an ailment as a result of a low pH.
Various fish have different pH requirements but when a fish that cannot tolerate acidic softer water is placed in water of pH 6 or below, Acidosis occurs.
The skin will become increasingly irritated and may burn slightly.
The fish will produce more mucus ( fish slime on the body ) to protect itself.
Symptoms:
Excessive mucus production, patchy peeling white flakes on the body, listlessness, heavy breathing.
May also lay close to the gravel layer still or gasping at the water surface.
Treatment:
Requires immediate treatment else fish death occurs quickly.
Immediately seek to correct the pH level.
Test using a pH testing kit to see what level it is at and increase it accordingly with either pH up buffering salts or off the shelf buffers.
Co2 Poisoning
What is it ?
Having excessive amounts of Co2 in the water causes difficulty in breathing for the fish.
In excessive amounts, they will have difficulty breathing and may subsequently die.
Symptoms:
Gasping at the water surface and/or fast breathing.
Treatment:
Ensure water is well aerated by means of a airstone to agitate the water surface.
Also perform a partial water change with aged water.
If Co2 injection is required , check the amount being released into the tank and regulate accordingly.
Columnaris
What is it ?
This disease is caused by Bacterium. It is usually found isolated around the mouth area.
Early treatment is necessary due to the toxin released by the bacterium as well as the fact that the fish will effectively stop eating once this disease is contracted.
Symptoms:
Early signs include a thin white line around the lips of the fish which later turns into white or grey short tufts that resemble fungus around the lip regions.
Treatment:
One of the only effective medication to cure this disease would be an antibiotic treatment regime.
Penicillin is very effective at 10.000 units per litre, with a second dose after two days.
Prepare to treat the whole tank where the infected fish has been as other tank inhabitants may have contracted the disease as well.
As with most parasitic diseases, HITH seems to target sick or stressed fish, in poor water conditions.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.
Dropsy
What is it ?
Dropsy is caused by a bacterial infection of the kidneys and other internal organs, causing fluid accumulation or even renal failure. The body would swell up and cause the scales to protrude. Eyes that appear popping may also result.
Symptoms:
Protruding scales, pop eyes, bloated.
Treatment:
Treatment is usually in vain by this stage of the infection but some success has been reported using Sera Baktopur and/or other Internal Anti-parasites medication.
Fin Rot
What is it ?
Fin rot can be the result of several conditions such as bacterial infection, attack from tank mates etc.
The most common attribute to the cause of this 'disease' is that of poor water condition, which leads to lower immunity in the fish, making it more susceptible to external bacterial infections.
Symptoms:
Frayed, ragged, discolored and/or damaged fins.
Fins could also have a lining of reddish coloration mixed with white small ulcers.
Fish will also be lethargic with little movement.
Treatment:
Fin rot medication will help but treatment must be carried out as soon as possible. Slight increase in water temperature, as well as the addition of aquarium salt will help speed up the healing process.
Separation and isolation of the sick fish may be wise too, in the case of overtly aggressive tank mates.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.
Gill Flukes
What is it ?
They are tiny worm-like parasites that are rarely seen by the naked eye.
They attach to the fish with hooks-like structures. This parasite is highly contagious and quickly spreads in an affected aquarium, so treatment must be carried out as soon as possible.
Symptoms:
Fish also may display flashing, rubbing, glancing against aquarium décor.
Fish will also appear lethargic and breathe heavily with difficulty.
Excessive mucus may also be produced on the body of the fish.
In extreme situations, whitish growth can be seen at the gills of the fish.
Treatment:
As with most parasitic diseases, this disease seems to target sick or stressed fish, in poor water conditions.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.
Many gill fluke treatments exist, with effective ones containing Malachite Green.
Adding moderate amounts of aquarium salt also aids in the treatment of this disease.
Certain medication using antibiotics may also help speed up the healing process.
Hexamita
What is it ?
Commonly known as hole in the head.
Despite its common name HITH, it is actually a disease that originates in the gut of the fish.
Hexamita infects fish by ingestion with food.
This is a parasistic Flagellate which generally affects larger cichlids.
This disease is highly contagious and the fish and its fellow inhabitants should all be treated even if they do not yet show visible symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms:
Fish appears thin with sunken stomaches.
Sores or ulcer like growths may also be present on the head.
Visible holes or pits will also be seen on the head of the fish if the disease is in the later stages.
Treatment:
A very effective treatment for Hexamita is any product which has metronidazole as its main effective ingredient.
There are also other alternatives to this medication in the form of capsules, powdered or liquid medication.
As with most parasitic diseases, HITH seems to target sick or stressed fish, in poor water conditions.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.
Lack Of Oxygen
What is it ?
Fish require oxygen in the water to respirate.
If it is lacking, they will have difficulty breathing and may subsequently die.
Symptoms:
Gasping at the water surface and/or fast breathing.
Treatment:
Ensure water is well aerated by means of a airstone to agitate the water surface.
Also perform a partial water change with aged water.
Swim Bladder Disease
What is it ?
Not so much of a disease but rather a genetic abnormality caused by excessive inbreeding/crossbreeding.
Occurs very commonly in gold fish but may occur in other species of fish too.
Wind is trapped in the stomach of the fish and they have no way to expel it, hence affecting their buoyancy control.
Symptoms:
Abnormal swimming patterns, belly up swimming, unable to control swimming patterns.
Treatment:
This condition is rarely cured totally with medication.
However slight increase in water temperatures as well as the addition of aquarium salt seems to help slightly.
Epsom salts, used in moderation has also be a recommended remedy by many fish keepers.
Tap Water Poisoning
What is it ?
Tap water contains various chemicals such as chlorine and chloramine that make it safe for us to drink but are substances that are highly toxic to fish.
Introduction of water which has not been properly treated will result in fish being poisoned. Fish death can occur swiftly.
Symptoms:
Fish may be seen gasping and fast breathing at the surface.
It may also lose its color and stay motionless and lethargic at the bottom of the tank.
Treatment:
If you have already added the water, add the necessary water conditioners to make the water safe for fish use. Chemical additives like antichlorine, antichloramine and additives that remove trace metal elements in water.
As a general rule, always ensure water is conditioned first before introduction into the tank to prevent unnecessary fish death.
Velvet
What is it ?
Velvet is caused by a dinoflagellate.
The free swimming stage of Velvet settles on the skin and gills of the aquarium fish, adhering at first by its long flagellum, later putting out pseudopodia, (similar to fingers) that penetrate the skin and give it a very firm grip.
As with most parasitic diseases, Velvet is generally only a problem with the immunity of the fish is lowered due to stress, poor water quality and a list of other factors.
Symptoms:
Gold or brownish spots all over the body and fins of the fish. Similar looking to Ich but spots are finer.
Fish also may display flashing, rubbing, glancing against aquarium décor.
Fish may also appear lethargic and breathe heavily.
Treatment:
Velvet is very contagious and so treatment must be immediate once diagnosis has been confirmed.
An effective remedy for this disease would be any medication that has Copper sulphate as its main effective ingredient.
Treat as per medications' instructions. Be careful with dosing when dealing with more sensitive species of fish. Slight addition of aquarium salt will also help.
Also take note that certain species of crustaceans cannot tolerate even trace amounts of copper sulphate.
As with most parasitic diseases, this disease seems to target sick or stressed fish, in poor water conditions.
Always ensure water quality is at the optimum before proceeding with any form of treatment.