The first step in treating any kind of ailment in your aquarium is to recognize and identify the problem. You can determine if a fish is not healthy by its appearance and its behavior. Since you have been spending time examining your fish while you feed them, you should be able to identify problems as soon as they manifest themselves.
Disease |
Signs and Symptoms |
|
Anchor worm |
A white worm protrudes from a red, agitated area on the fish’s body. Infested fish
rubs against anything it can, attempting to scratch off the parasite.
|
|
Body slime fungus
|
Protective skin mucus grows white and starts peeling off, as if the fish were shedding
or molting. Fins are eventually covered as well.
|
|
China disease
|
Tail fins and other fins begin to fray, beginning at the base of the fin and working
outward. Infected areas begin to blacken. Ventral region begins to turn black.
|
|
Constipation, indigestion
|
Fish is very inactive, usually rests on the bottom of the tank Abdominal swelling
and bulging is likely.
|
|
Dropsy (kidney bloat)
|
Abdomen bloats noticeably. Scales stick out like pinecones.
|
|
Fin congestion
|
Blood vessels become inflamed at the ends of the tail fins. Starts at the edge of
the fins and works toward the body
|
|
Fin or tail rot
|
Fins have missing parts and eventually become shredded. Rays become inflamed and
entire fin may be eaten away. |
|
Fish lice
|
Round, disk-shaped, transparent crustaceans clamp onto fish and refuse to let go.
Infected fish will rub against objects in the tank in an effort to remove the parasites.
|
|
Fish pox
|
Whitish or pinkish waxy film develops over fish’s skin and fins.
|
|
Fungus
|
Fuzzy growth develops that is different from velvet because it is more whitish.
|
|
Furunculosis
|
Raised bumps form under the scales that eventually rupture and cause bleeding ulcers.
|
|
Gill fluke
|
Gills swell pink and red. Fish spends time at the surface gasping for air. Puslike
fluid will be exuded from the gills. |
|
Ich
|
Raised white spots about the size of salt granules appear on the body and fins.
|
|
Leeches
|
Long, wormlike parasites attach both ends to the fish and do not come off easily. |
|
Mouth fungus
|
White cottony growth on mouth, sometimes spreading to the gills and other parts.
|
|
Pop-eye
|
Fish’s eyes protrude from inflamed eye sockets.
|
|
Skin fluke
|
Localized swelling, excessive mucus, and ulcerations appear on the skin. The fish
constantly tries to rid itself of these parasites by rubbing against aquarium objects. |
|
Swim bladder Disease
|
Fish swims on its sides, upside down, or somersaults through the water. Fish may
be found either on the top or at the bottom of the tank.
|
|
Tumors
|
Obvious bumps, lumps, and protrusions appear that sometimes look like large blisters
or warts. |
|
Ulcers
|
Large red lesions, boils, dark reddening, and bleeding occur. |
|
Velvet
|
Fuzzy yellow or golden areas appear
|