Fish Aquarium Diseases

Basics

• There are hundreds of diseases and afflictions that can be potentially hazardous to the overall health of your fish. Most of these have a bacterial or fungal origin, and, fortunately, can be treated with simple medications available at any pet store. If you notice any of the conditions below in your tank, it's important to attack the malady straight away in order to prevent its spread to any of your other fish. Remember these are only the more common conditions, and if you still have difficulty identifying the problem, it may be necessary to consult a veterinarian with an expertise in the subject. Also note that these maladies are specific to freshwater environments.

Ich

• Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, or simply Ich for short, is one of the most common maladies in the aquarium and is something that virtually every fish owner will eventually have to deal with. Fortunately, if it's caught in time, it's a relatively easy fix. In actuality, Ich is a parasitic protozoa that buries itself into the gills and scales of your fish, forming white, salt-like specks over their bodies, causing noticeable irritation and loss of appetite. To eliminate the threat, it is best to initially raise the temperature of the tank's water as far as the fish can tolerate (most fish can safely handle around 85 degrees Fahrenheit). Following this, there are several chemicals available at your local pet shop, most containing quinine hydrochloride, which should effectively rid your tank of the Ich.

Dropsy

• A condition known as Dropsy occurs when bacteria infect the kidneys of your fish, which in turn causes renal failure or fluid buildup. It usually results from poor water quality, which itself may be caused by improper filtration or cleaning and can be identified by noticeable bloating of the infected fish, along with an unnatural protrusion of its scales. To correct the condition, make sure your water's quality is up to par. Afterward, applying tetracycline or specialized antibiotics available at your local pet store should aide in ramifying the situation.

Fin Rot

• Grotesque in appearance, fin rot (sometimes called tail rot, depending on where on the body the condition occurs) is distinguished by the disintegration of your fish's fins and/or tails. There may be blood or lumps around the fins, which, sometimes, can degenerate all the way down to just a stump. Fin rot can be caused by either bacterial infections, tuberculosis or, simply, attacks from tank mates. Depending on the cause, antibiotic medication is available. If the fin rot persists, then it may be necessary to point out an aggressive fish in your tank, which may be the culprit, and isolate it.

Velvet

• Velvet is a light brown, yellow or rust coloring over the fish's fins or body. The fish may also begin to stress and breathe heavily. This is also a protozoan condition and can be remedied with copper, after which a 25 percent water change is highly recommended. If not treated quickly, Velvet can be fatal and contagious.

Hole-in-the-Head

• Beginning as small spots near the fish's head, generally above the eyes, Hole-in-the-Head disease is attributed to nutritional deficiency. This is often seen in environments where the primary diet of the aquarium's inhabitants is composed of feeder fish. If a proper diet is not enacted, the spots will gradually become grotesque cavities.