Diseases of Freshwater and Tropical Fish

Keeping tropical fish can be a very rewarding hobby, but it is important for hobbyists to always be on the lookout for signs of illness in their fish. Freshwater and tropical fish are subject to a number of diseases, and many of them are highly communicable. Catching an outbreak early often means the difference between losing a single fish and losing the entire aquarium.

  1. Ich

    • Ich is one of the most common diseases affecting freshwater and tropical fish. This disease is also one of the easiest to discover, since it causes white spots all over the body of the infected fish. If you suspect your fish has ich, it is important to move it to a quarantine tank immediately. Ich is very communicable, and it will quickly spread through the entire tank if left untreated. Fish keepers have access to a number of very effective ich remedies at the local pet store, and since the disease is so common it is a good idea to keep an ich remedy in your aquarium supply cabinet.

    Fin Rot

    • Fin rot is another common aquarium disease, and this problem is also easy to spot. If you notice that your long-finned fish have torn and ragged fins, you should suspect that they have fin rot. This disease is often brought about by poor water conditions, which can make the fish more vulnerable to the condition. If fin rot is suspected, it is a good idea to do a complete water change, and to test the water with a commercial test kit. Pet stores stock a number of remedies for fin rot and similar problems, and it is a good idea to keep a treatment regimen on hand.

    Swim Bladder Disease

    • Swim bladder disease is most prevalent among ornamental golfish that have been selectively bred to have round body shapes, but the disease can also be found in balloon mollies and other round fish. The exact cause of swim bladder disease is still under investigation, but there is evidence that a virus is at least partially responsible. As with all fish diseases, poor water quality and nutrition can make a fish more susceptible. So far one of the most effective treatments for swim bladder disease seems to be frozen peas. A fish medicine professor at the North Carolina College of Veterinary Medicine has reported good results with this method. Just thaw out a couple of frozen peas and feed them to the affected fish.