Most Common Aquarium Fish Diseases

 

Aquarium Fish Diseases

Fish in the aquarium environment face unique challenges versus their natural counterparts. One of those challenges is the common diseases that afflict aquarium fish. This list is not comprehensive but covers the common ailments that those keeping fish will likely encounter. The diseases we'll cover in this article are:

• Ich/Ick White Spot - (Ichthyophthirius)
• Pop Eye/Popeye -  (exophthalmia)
• Dropsy - hugely swollen bellies
• Other Bacterial issues/Infections

It is always best to request the aid of a professional or other knowledgeable fish keeper in evaluating the disease your fish might be experiencing and get their advise as to the best solution for your particular case as if is often the case that there are multiple ways to combat the disease.

Before getting into specific diseases fish like us humans can best avoid infection best by simply pursuing a good diet in a clean and stress-free environment. This means keeping a close eye on your fishes nutritional needs and making sure you are feeding correct diets and sufficient quantities but not too much as that can have effects on the next important factor, water quality. Water quality is extremely important in keeping a disease-free tank as it lessens the stress on your fish. A stressed fish is one susceptible to infection by whatever pathogen makes its way into your tank. A healthy fish can encounter the same pathogen and not be affected as his immune system is at full strength. Important water quality factors include temperature, cleanliness, pH, dissolved minerals, and particulate load as well as ammonia levels and oxygenation levels.

Even if you create the best environment possible, sometimes pathogens get into the system and impact your fish. Diagnosis then becomes the issues. Sometimes the symptoms of differing infections are very similar are more than one pathogen is creating the issue, especially if your fish is stressed and weakened. Again, if you can’t be sure of your diagnosis consult with a specialist. Proper diagnosis can save you valuable time, money and in the end and most importantly your fish.

Ich/Ick White Spot - (Ichthyophthirius)

Probably the most common of aquarium fish diseases. It presents as white spots or cysts (~1mm in size) on the fish’s gills and body. This is a parasitic protozoal infection made up of the cysts which after feeding and then maturing off the fish the encapsulate themselves and then replicates itself. The new cysts break open releasing the many new Ich protozoa all searching for a new

host form which to repeat the cycle. It is also common that a secondary infection is present adding to the impact on the fish. Earlier diagnosis and treatment increases the chances for the fish.

Life Cycle - The life cycle of the parasite is 7-10 days at a temperature of 21 °C, and at a temperature of 10 ° C – several weeks. All medicines are designed to destroy free-floating parasites.

Treatment For Ich

There are many methods of treatment. Salt, temperature changes, quinine are some of the more common methods. One of the more effective treatments is a malachite green based treatment. Some popular brands are Ich-X and Rid-Ich. It is important to read and follow each treatment’s directions carefully.

They can impact different species differently and preparation here can save problems later

Pop-eye

Bulging eyes on your fish can indicate “pop-eye”. As is the case with many bacterial infections a main cause is poor water quality. Weaker fish are usually the ones impacted.

Treatment by branded drugs such as Kana-Cura are effective for treatment of this and other bacterial infections as well. Pop-Eye as similar symptoms to tuberculosis, so again proper diagnosis is key.

Dropsy

A swollen fish and scales standing out from the body like a porcupine are indicative of dropsy. As a bacterial infection, poor living conditions are the precursors allowing the pathogen to infect the fish. That said it can infect one or two weaker fish even in a well-maintained aquarium.

Antibiotics such as Kana-Cura along with improved water quality are the usual treatment.

Other bacterial and infections

Aquarium fish bacterial diseases are caused by Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and other mycobacteria. Here again poor environment and/or handling are generally the initial causes allowing these infestations. Initially the presentation is glued fins followed by a white coating on them which then begins their destruction.

Treat with brand-name drugs to include Kana-Cura (Kanamycin) and in combination with Nitro-Cura (nitrofurazone).

Fungal Disease

Spores are usually always present in the aquarium, but healthy fish are immune to such infestation with the protective layer of mucus covering the body of the fish creating a barrier for them. If the fish are weakened by stress, poor water quality or a lot of rotting organic in the aquarium, the protective layer of mucus on the fish is damaged which can allow the outbreak of the disease to occur.

Branded preparations with the ingredients methylene blue, malachite greens are recognized treatments.

Hexamytosis - “Hole in the Head”

The aquarium fish disease Hexamita causes small divots mainly are formed on the body mainly on the head, thus its name. These divots are ulcers that over time increase and cause death. There is no exact known cause of the disease. The assumption is that our usual culprits poor water quality and improper nutrition create the conditions for the bacteria to gain a foothold on the stressed fish.

Standard treatment includes branded Metronidazole (Metro-Cura).

This treatment in conjunction with frequent water changes and a balanced diet are a good way to treat and prevent disease.

Velvet disease Oodinium – Velvet disease

Oodinium is a parasitic fish disease. The fish becomes covered with yellowish-gray dots. These dots resemble Ich, but they are smaller in size and the fish looks as if sprinkled with golden dust. Fish scratching on various objects in the aquarium, often breathing gills.

The cycle of the parasite is similar to that of the Ich cycle. But unlike Ich, the parasite can exist for a long time without a host

Treatment can be difficult if the parasites have settled in the internal organs of the fish. The disease is contagious, so it may be best euthanize sick fish. 

Acriflavine is one of the most common and effective drugs for treatment. To increase the efficiency it is recommended to raise the temperature and add salt as these will shorten the parasites life cycle.

Parasites in the entrails of fish

These diseases are caused by parasitic worms. Symptoms are a swollen abdomen in a fish, a mediocre swimming, sometimes worms are visible from the anus, sometimes they break through the body of the fish.

These worm infestations are generally found only in newly imported fish. Due to their complex development cycle, which includes several hosts, These aquarium fish diseases generally do not reach a dangerous level in aquariums given the long and complex life cycle. Treatment is very difficult. Best treatment is to avoid fish with any indication.