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Fish
diseases (general
guide for fresh water fish)
Why fish get sick
What might have triggered the problem
Symptoms
Treatment
Why
fish get sick
All living things are subject to disease, and
fish are no exception. Fish generally have
great resistance and when they succumb to parasites, fungi, or virus
infections it is
usually because they have been weekend by a poor environment. Unsuitable
food,
lack of oxygen, temperatures to high or too low, and other contributing
factors are all
the result of the keeper. Most ailments can be avoided.
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What
might have triggered the problem
Should
you notice your fish exhibiting any of these symptoms consider
carefully
what might have triggered the problem:
1. At any new fish, plants, or water of doubtful purity been added to the
aquarium,
possibly introducing parasites or disease?
2.
Has the tank environment deteriorated? Do the fish have plenty of room
and
adequate aeration?
3.
Have you been feeding inferior or improper food or polluting the water by
adding
more food than the fish can consume?
4.
Have the fish been receiving insufficient light or have they been
"cooking" in a
window?
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The
Symptoms
Symptoms
to watch for in your tropical fish include the following:
1.
Loss of appetite
2. Sluggish and aimless swimming
3. Folded dorsal or caudal fin
4. Hanging from the surface or lying on the bottom
5. Slow reactions to disturbances
6. Rubbing against surfaces as of trying to scrape something off the body
7. Loss of luster
8. Ragged fans, lesions, white spots, or growths of any kind
9. Bloating or emaciation
10. Bulging eyes.
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Treatment
Consideration
of these points might give a clue as to what is wrong with the fish.
Often the trouble can be cured by remedy in the flaw in the environment.
Sometimes
chemical treatment is necessary.
The
aquarist is well advised to use drugs labeled for specific problems. Be
wary of any
substance that is claimed to be a cure for everything.
Medicines
are usually administered by dissolving them in the water. If the substance
is
to be dissolved be sure that there are no particles remaining or these may
be eaten by
the fish with disastrous results. Solutions can be filtered before adding
them to the tank.
If
individual fishes are suffering, isolate them immediately. If an entire
tank or pond is
affected then large-scale measures must be taken. Consult a book on fish
disease or
your local aquarium shop for help in identifying and treating fish
diseases.
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