Instructions
Examine your fish's skin. If there are any foreign bodies or abnormal patches on your fish's body, it may be a sign of illness. Parasites grown on a fish's scales and inside a fish's body. Parasites look like salt on the fish's scales, discoloration or a bug attached to the fish. Depending on the parasite, you will need to remove it manually or add an antibiotic or antifungal treatment to the water to ensure your fish's health.
Evaluate the clarity of your fish's eyes. Any growth over the eye, cloudiness, enlarged eyes, swelling or popping out of your fish's eyes are signs of illness. The cause may be fungal, bacterial, viral, or from a parasite or an injury. Steps to take with fish eye disorders depend on the cause of the illness.
Examine your fish's fins. Your fish's fins should be intact and free flowing. If they are frayed, stuck to its body, discolored, bleeding or contain any foreign growth or patches, it is a sign of illness. The cause may be parasites, worms, pH poisoning, or a bacterial or viral infection.
Monitor your fish's behavior. The fish's behavior is the most conspicuous sign of a health problem. If your fish is swimming very low or very high in the water, is in the corner by itself, is bloated, is not eating, hits the walls of the tank, is producing strange fecal matter or is losing weight, it may be sick from a disease, parasites, worms or bacteria. If your fish is frantic, is out of breath or breathing rapidly, something may be wrong with the temperature or pH of the water, it may be afraid of a new fish or animal in or around the tank, or something else may be causing its distress.
Record any symptoms from which your fish is suffering. Take note of the date and time the symptoms began. Recall if anything new was introduced to your fish or its tank around or after the time the symptoms began. If you changed the water, changed the food, added another fish or plant life, take note of these details as well.
Bring your fish to the veterinarian if it has any visible symptoms or is behaving strangely. Share the recorded information about your fish with the doctor.
How to Find Out if a Fish Is Sick
Like any other pet, fish must be monitored to ensure their health and well-being. They cannot speak to tell you when something is wrong or if they feel ill. They depend on you to notice any changes in their behavior or body. Fish are sensitive to many factors, including the temperature and pH of the water, their food, other fish and the plant life around them. Observe your fish every day and take notice of its natural behavior. This way, if something is ever wrong you will notice right away.