Fish Health (14)
Identify fish diseases, prevent aquarium fish stress and more.
The first 3 months of starting a new aquarium are crucial. Early, avoidable mistakes result in many aquariums being abandoned. Choosing the correct setup and cycling of the new fish tank are the first challenges.Aquarium Photo Nevertheless the main challenge is to acquire the needed knowledge and know-how quickly enough to effectively deal with the potential problems that tend to occur during the first months of setup. Many questions have to be answered about water…
Acidosis/Akalosis | Bacteriosis Pinnerum (Fin Rot) | DropsyGas Bubble Disease | Ichthyophthirius (ICH) | Lack of Oxygen The following should only be used as a guide for the identification of potential fish diseases. If you have a problem related to fish disease in your aquarium, it is best to consult your local fish store for a diagnosis and possible treatment. Acidosis/Akalosis Symptoms: Fish shows an excess of mucous, the skin becomes inflamed and the gills…
The reason for having an aquarium is to keep fish. The challenge is to maintain a healthy environment in which they will thrive. The rules are set and easy to understand. Following them will enhance the pleasure of your aquarium. After you have setup your tank, make sure you take some notes about the water parameters incl. PH, water hardness, alkalinity and temperature. Also be sure to know what type of fish you may already…
Bacteria can be categorized into ‘friendly’ and ‘unfriendly’. Most of the bacteria found in aquariums are harmless, but others are potentially harmful in high densities. Friendly bacteria include the scavenging, decomposing bacteria digesting uneaten fish food, plant matter, dead algae, and basically everything that consist of organic matter. The nitrifiers also known as "beneficial" bacteria convert ammonia (resulting from bacterial activity, fish waste etc.) into the less toxic compounds of nitrite and nitrate. On rare…
Newly bought fish or sick fish are best observed and/or treated in a separate hospital tank instead of the main aquarium. Many medications and preventative supplements which are directly added to the water will affect the beneficial bacteria. This can bring the biological filtration to a grinding halt; it can use up oxygen and turn the aquarium into a ‘toxic dump’. In combination with a hospital tank fish dips and baths can be highly effective…
Everything outside the required environmental- or behavioral needs of your fish causes stress. Stress greatly affects the health, reduces the life span, and increases your fishes' vulnerability for diseases. Stress is also the main cause of a deteriorating slime coat that protects the fish. This slime coat is the defense system toward infections. Fish can adapt to slightly different conditions in their environment. Understanding the factors that contribute to stress, will eliminate or reduce unnecessary…
Ich is a highly contagious parasitic infestation caused by the protozoan Ichthyophthirius Multifillis and its saltwater counterpart Cryptocaryon Irritans. The parasite burrows itself under the fish’s skin in order to feed and grow, causing skin irritations and osmoregulatory disturbances that allow secondary bacteria and/or fungi to enter the skin. It is notable that Ich alone is not fatal. Fatalities occur mainly through secondary infections. In advanced cases, the parasite will attach to the gills, causing…
Fish health starts with the selection of the fish themselves. Choose a pet store not only for their inventory and the size of their livestock selection, but also for the quality of their staff and management. Next to service, the store and the aquariums need to be well maintained. Some signs to look out for and to be avoided are cloudy tanks, decaying plants, dirty tanks, cloudy eyes, torn or clamped fins, sores on the…
Moving an aquarium can be a real challenge. Whether you want to move it from one room in your house to another, or move it to a completely new place of residence. Needless to say, the larger the tank, the more challenging the task. The main thing to remember is that stress to your fish makes them more susceptible to disease. Therefore stress should be kept at a minimum. Below we will attempt to outline…
Think of an aquarium as an intensive care unit, and the filtration system as the life support for your fish. Sometimes we are not aware about the things we do that require power. It's not uncommon during a power outage, that we find ourselves trying to use electrical equipment, ending up in slapping ourselves thinking "Oh yeah, no power". Aquariums are treasures, not only the sometimes high values but also the time and care you…
You may also know it as the hospital tank. Whatever you call it the purpose is the same...to protect for, and treat your fish for disease. The understanding of fishkeeping has evolved greatly during the past 10 - 15 years and as a result the equipment and treatments available today have improved tremendously. Bottom line is, more and more people are getting into fishkeeping and their success rate has also significantly increased. Whether you are…
Some hobbyists religiously use salt in fresh-water set-ups. The claim is a noticeable health improvement of certain fish. Further benefits include the ease of stress, reducing osmotic pressure, inhibition of nitrite uptake, promoting the slime coat, and helping in healing wounds. The salt recommended should be free of additives such as iodine. It is claimed to be safe and should be used as a preventive measure against various parasitic infestations - it is also said…
Ammonia Poisoning | Nitrite Poisoning CO2 Poisoning | Hydrogen Sulfite | Chlorine, Chloramine, Heavy Metals Signs of Poison Toxicity levels vary depending on the species, the size, and the metabolic rate. The fish’s metabolism is more active in higher temperatures then in cooler environments, which allows toxins to act faster. Toxic substances come in contact with the fish through the gills, rather than the skin. This allows most toxins to act very rapid as they…
Worms in the aquarium. Are they common? Who can get them? What can I do about them? And what do they mean for the health of my fish? Worms are nocturnal creatures. If you can’t see them during the day it doesn’t mean they’re not present. Because they are light-sensitive, they remain in the darkness of the gravel, rocks, plants or any hideout available during the day or lighting hours. Obviously the best way to…
