Fish Diseases and How to Treat Them
When it comes to your favorite aquarium fish, prevention is ALWAYS better than cure!! Always keep your water stable and clean and maintain good water parameters. Partially change your water every 7-8 days. Do not change more than 40% at any one time as it may stress the fish. Regular partial water changes are the most important factor in keeping your water clean and your fish healthy.
Always treat your water with Anti Chlorine at least a few hours before you put it in your water tank, Chlorine present in your tap water may stress your fish and make them prone to different diseases. Always remember that a stress free fish is a happy Fish!!
Always treat your water with Anti Chlorine at least a few hours before you put it in your water tank, Chlorine present in your tap water may stress your fish and make them prone to different diseases. Always remember that a stress free fish is a happy Fish!!
Freshwater Ich - Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (commonly known as freshwater white spot disease, freshwater ich, or freshwater ick) is a common disease of freshwater fish. It is caused by the protozoan Ichthyopthirius. Ich is one of the most common and persistent diseases in fish. The protozoan is an ectoparasite. White nodules that look like white grains of salt or sugar of up to 1 mm appear on the body, fins and gills. Each white spot is an encysted parasite. It is easily introduced into a fish pond or home aquarium by new fish or equipment which has been moved from one fish-holding unit to another. Once the organism gets into a large fish culture facility, it is difficult to control due to its fast reproductive cycle and its unique life stages. If not controlled, there is a 100% mortality rate of fish. With careful treatment, the disease can be controlled.
If your fish are suffering from Ich, pump up your thermostat to 30 - 32C and raise the water temperature. This increases the life cycle of the parasite. Then administer a dosage of Methylene Blue or any commercially available Ich Treatment solution. Then add some aquarium salt, roughly around one tea cup for 20 gallons. Then after 24 hours, vacuum the water from near the gravel and replace with fresh water previously treated with Anti Chlorine. Do not vacuum more than 30% water. Repeat this stop for 5 days after the fish show no more signs of White Spot. During treatment remove any activated carbon from your filter. This is of utmost importance.
If your fish are suffering from Ich, pump up your thermostat to 30 - 32C and raise the water temperature. This increases the life cycle of the parasite. Then administer a dosage of Methylene Blue or any commercially available Ich Treatment solution. Then add some aquarium salt, roughly around one tea cup for 20 gallons. Then after 24 hours, vacuum the water from near the gravel and replace with fresh water previously treated with Anti Chlorine. Do not vacuum more than 30% water. Repeat this stop for 5 days after the fish show no more signs of White Spot. During treatment remove any activated carbon from your filter. This is of utmost importance.
Hexamita or Hole in the Head - Hexamitiasis is a parasitic disease that can affect both freshwater and saltwater fish. In some cases, hole like wounds appear on the head of the fish, hence it is commonly named as Hole in the Head disease (HITH).
The foremost sign of Hexamita is white, stringy feces. The coloration of the fish becomes more washed than normal. The fish eventually lose their appetite and gradually become very thin. Often (but not always), hole like wounds appear on the fish’s head.
Among freshwater fish, hexamitiasis and hole in the head disease most commonly affect particularly cichlid fishes. Carps, including koi and goldfish, are also vulnerable. This disease is caused by bad water quality.
The first step you should take is to mix Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salt) in the tank. Use one tea cup for 20 Gallons water. Also mix just a little bit of Epsom salt in water and soak the fish food before feeding it. Change water after 7 days and repeat. If the fish is not cured within the 14 day mark, then you may have to take to antibiotics.
The prime medication used to treat hexamtia is metronidazole (often referred to by the trade name Flagyl). The most effective approach is using medicated food. The trick is to identify the disease in its early stages when the fish is still taking food. But seriously affected fish may not be eating, in which case you need to add the medication to the water, typically at a dosage of 500 mg per 20 US gallons, once per day. Partially change the water the next day by not more than 30% and replace with fresh water previously treated with Anti Chlorine. Repeat this treatment for 3 days.
The foremost sign of Hexamita is white, stringy feces. The coloration of the fish becomes more washed than normal. The fish eventually lose their appetite and gradually become very thin. Often (but not always), hole like wounds appear on the fish’s head.
Among freshwater fish, hexamitiasis and hole in the head disease most commonly affect particularly cichlid fishes. Carps, including koi and goldfish, are also vulnerable. This disease is caused by bad water quality.
The first step you should take is to mix Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salt) in the tank. Use one tea cup for 20 Gallons water. Also mix just a little bit of Epsom salt in water and soak the fish food before feeding it. Change water after 7 days and repeat. If the fish is not cured within the 14 day mark, then you may have to take to antibiotics.
The prime medication used to treat hexamtia is metronidazole (often referred to by the trade name Flagyl). The most effective approach is using medicated food. The trick is to identify the disease in its early stages when the fish is still taking food. But seriously affected fish may not be eating, in which case you need to add the medication to the water, typically at a dosage of 500 mg per 20 US gallons, once per day. Partially change the water the next day by not more than 30% and replace with fresh water previously treated with Anti Chlorine. Repeat this treatment for 3 days.
Dropsy - Dropsy is the buildup of fluid inside the body cavity or tissues of a fish. As a symptom rather than a disease, it can indicate a number of underlying diseases, including bacterial infections, parasitic infections, or liver dysfunction and kidney failure.
With the build up of fluid in the tissues, the body of the fish, specially the abdomen swells up profusely, making its scales stand up in a pine cone like appearance. In some advanced cases, the eyes also bulge out.
Curing dropsy is indeed very very hard because it signals the failure of internal organs. First of all, quarantine the fish in a separate tank. Because dropsy is a symptom of an illness, its cause may or may not be contagious, so don't take any chances. Add one teaspoon aquarium salt per gallon of water. There are many commercial medicines available for Dropsy. Add the medicine in the respective dosage. Do partial water changes everyday and give good quality food soaked in a bit of the medicine you are using.
With the build up of fluid in the tissues, the body of the fish, specially the abdomen swells up profusely, making its scales stand up in a pine cone like appearance. In some advanced cases, the eyes also bulge out.
Curing dropsy is indeed very very hard because it signals the failure of internal organs. First of all, quarantine the fish in a separate tank. Because dropsy is a symptom of an illness, its cause may or may not be contagious, so don't take any chances. Add one teaspoon aquarium salt per gallon of water. There are many commercial medicines available for Dropsy. Add the medicine in the respective dosage. Do partial water changes everyday and give good quality food soaked in a bit of the medicine you are using.
Hernia / Hemmorhoid - This disease is brought up on the fish who are fed more protein based diets with a lack of fiber. The tell tale sign of Hernia is when you can see the guts of a fish hanging out of its anus.
Flowerhorns in general are attacked more by Hernia. This is because Flowerhorn foods contain a huge amount of protein in order for them to bulk up and raise their kok. Thus the high protein and the lack of fiber in their diet, in addition to overfeeding gives rise to this painful condition.
When you notice this in your fish, raise your water temperature to 30-32 C. Then add one tea cup equivalent of Epsom Salt for 20 Gallons of water. DO NOT feed your fish that day. The next day cut a 2-3 pcs of soft cucumber seeds that fit the mouth of the fish and feed it. Feed the fish cucumber seed parts for 4-5 days. You can also use boiled peas. From the 6th day onwards, feed the fish just a few pellets of food after soaking it in a bit of water mixed with Epsom Salt. Feed the cucumber or peas every other day. Control the feeding in low quantities. Your fish will recover in a few weeks with your care.
Flowerhorns in general are attacked more by Hernia. This is because Flowerhorn foods contain a huge amount of protein in order for them to bulk up and raise their kok. Thus the high protein and the lack of fiber in their diet, in addition to overfeeding gives rise to this painful condition.
When you notice this in your fish, raise your water temperature to 30-32 C. Then add one tea cup equivalent of Epsom Salt for 20 Gallons of water. DO NOT feed your fish that day. The next day cut a 2-3 pcs of soft cucumber seeds that fit the mouth of the fish and feed it. Feed the fish cucumber seed parts for 4-5 days. You can also use boiled peas. From the 6th day onwards, feed the fish just a few pellets of food after soaking it in a bit of water mixed with Epsom Salt. Feed the cucumber or peas every other day. Control the feeding in low quantities. Your fish will recover in a few weeks with your care.