Instructions
Know your aquarium fish's normal appearance and behavior so that you can easily spot abnormal appearance or behavior.
Observe to see if your fish has white or black spots and rubs and scratches against rocks and other surfaces. These symptoms, along with rapid breathing, can indicate that your fish has a parasite. Examples of parasitic disease include Marine Whitespot, Marine Velvet, Black Spot and Gill and Fin Flukes.
Look closely at your fish's fins. If there is fin erosion and reddened areas, combined with a poor appetite, your fish may have Bacterial Finrot or a Bacterial infection. If the fins have small clumps of warts that look like cauliflowers, your fish may have Lymphocystis.
Check out the appearance of your fish's skin. If the color has gotten darker and the skin looks like sandpaper, your fish may have Marine Fungus, which is also known as Ichthyophonus or CNS Disease. If the lateral line has eroded and pits have formed in the skin, your fish may have Head and Lateral Line Erosion Disease (HLLE).
Watch how your fish swims. If your fish cannot stay upright and is floating upside down or sideways, he may have Swim Bladder Disorder. If the fish darts rapidly around the tank, seems to hang out at the top or the bottom of the aquarium and breathes rapidly, he may be suffering from a poisoning.
How to Identify Aquarium Fish Diseases
Aquarium fish are beautiful and unique pets that require special care and attention. If your fish's appearance or behavior seems strange, it is possible that he could have a disease. The steps below are a starting point to help narrow down the possible diseases that can affect your fish. Seek an accurate diagnosis from a veterinarian.