Black Skirt Tetra Diseases

Black skirt tetras are freshwater fish with dark stripes and a dark fin that splays out underneath their bodies like a skirt. They are sometimes called black tetras. Though there are no fish diseases that are found only in black skirt tetras, as freshwater fish, they are susceptible to the same diseases as other aquarium fish. The placement of the symptoms may look different because of the black skirt tetra's distinctive fin shape.

  1. Bacterial

    • Black skirt tetras and other freshwater fish are susceptible to various bacterial infections. Red pest is a bacterial infection that causes red streaks to be visible along the sides of the fish. Because of the black skirt tetra's dark color, this may be hard to diagnose, but it can be treated with an antibiotic when it's found. Tuberculosis is also a serious bacterial fish disease that causes yellow growths to appear on the fish. There is no way to cure fish tuberculosis.

    Parasitic

    • Tiny parasites can infect aquariums and sicken freshwater fish. Anchor worms are crustaceans that burrow beneath the fish's skin and leave holes in it. Flukes are a type of tiny flatworm that can be seen on infected gills. Argulus is a type of crustacean that is sometimes called fish lice. They cause inflamed areas of infestation. All fish, including black skirt tetras, attempt to scrape themselves on shells and other objects when they have parasitic diseases.

    Fungus

    • Fungal diseases are some of the most common diseases in aquarium fish. Ichthyosporidium, commonly called ich, often causes disorientation and cysts on the fish. The disease must be treated before the cysts mature. Saprolegnia is characterized in infected fish by a white, cottony growth. It can be treated with an antifungal medication that is added to the aquarium water.

    Tumors

    • Tumors can be caused in black skirt tetras by either cancer or by a virus that causes tumor growth. The formation of tumors may also be genetic. Sometimes, the tumors are caused by too much inbreeding done by a large-scale fish breeder. There is no cure for fish tumors. It is generally recommended that fish infected by tumors be euthanized.

    Protozoan

    • Velvet, costia and rust are all protozoan diseases that can coat black skirt tetras in a cloudy, dusty or rust-colored coating. Hexamita causes infected fish to swim backward and have white, slimy feces. All of these diseases can be cured by commercial fish treatments that are added to the aquarium water.