COMMON DISEASES IN AQUARIUM FISHES AND TREATMENTS

COMMON DISEASES IN AQUARIUM FISHES AND THEIR TREATMENTS 

Written by, VIGNESWARAN (Aquarium Hobbyist)

DROPSY

Dropsy is a internal bacterial infection that cause the bodies of the aquarium fishes to swell. Due to poor water quality bacteria may develop and enter through the gills of the fish. This results in Dropsy. Over crowding of fishes and stress may also cause dropsy. This may indicate many underlying conditions such as bacterial infections, parasitic diseases or liver dysfunction.

SYMPTOMS:

• Swollen stomach

• Not eating

• Some of your fish scale may begin to protrude from its body, almost to the point where it looks like it may pop off.

• Hovering near the top edges of the aquarium tank rather than swimming around. 

TREATMENT:

• Isolate the sick fish

• Add a spoon of rock salt depending on the tank size and volume of water

• Use any antibacterial medication (may consult an aquarist)

• Wait for the fish to recover

• In order to prevent dropsy change water more frequently (may be once a weak)

ITCH OR WHITE SPOT DISEASE:

White spot disease is a parasite infection which most commonly occurs in fishes during the cold seasons. White spot disease occurs in all fishes such as gold, Koi carp, angel, Flowerhorn and betta (fighter fish).

White spots first occurs on the fish body in the form of a cyst. After a certain temperature the cyst falls down from the fish body and settles at the bottom of the tank. Later many parasites come out from the cyst and it may stick on the body of all fishes.

The parasite may suck the blood by putting a hole on the body of the fish.  This makes the fish weak. White spot can attack any part of the fish like tail, eyes and fins. White spot can be easily cured, if it is left untreated leads to death of the fish.

SYMPTOMS:

• Appearance of white spot all over the body.

• Fishes scratch their body in the gravels or other stones in the bottom of the tank.

• Fishes affected becomes dull, shrink their tail and may not eat food.

TREATMENTS:

• For any diseases the first step is to separate the diseased fish from other fishes.

• Remove all the gravels from the tank.

• Change 75% of water frequently.

• Add heater to the tank and maintain a temperature of 28 C.

• In order to prevent your fish from the attack of white spot, it is necessary to add heater to your tank at cold seasons

• If the condition of white spot become worse use tetracycline 500 mg tablet and mix with water (Ask an aquarist and use advised dose)