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Common Aquarium Fish Diseases and How To Prevent Them
Fish are fascinating, beautiful creatures that have been a popular hobby for centuries. However, keeping fish involves a lot more than just picking out your favorite species and cramming them into a glass box. Some of the most common fish diseases can quickly infect your aquarium and kill your fish or, at the very least, make them seriously ill.
Prevent these problems by following some of these common sense tips on identifying and preventing a few of the most common aquarium fish diseases.
1. Costia
Costia is a parasite that can affect freshwater and saltwater fish. It is caused by a protozoan parasite, which feeds off of the mucous coat of the fish. The symptoms are hemorrhaging and lesions on the skin of the fish, usually around the gills and mouth.
Signs of Costia
Common signs of Costia include:
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Fish rub against objects in the tank or scratch themselves against gravel or rocks.
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The immune system of infected fish weakens and they become less active than usual.
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Some species of fish lose their appetite completely while others refuse to eat certain foods but will feed on others that wouldn't normally interest them.
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Fish lose coloration and appear pale or blotchy in color with white spots on their bodies and fins.
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The gills of affected fish may swell up due to blockages caused by parasites or dead tissue from infections in the gills.
How to Prevent Costia
To prevent this disease, you should quarantine new purchases for 30 days before adding them to your aquarium. Make sure that all of your equipment is working properly, too.
2. Ich (White Spot Disease)
Ich is a very common disease in aquarium fish, especially new arrivals. It is caused by a parasite called Cryptocaryon irritans. Symptoms include white spots on the skin and fins, redness around the gills, and lethargy. If left untreated, it can be fatal. Ich usually appears at night when fish are resting in dim lights and temperatures are low.
Signs of Ich
Common signs of Ich include:
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White spots on fish.
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Gill damage or clamped fins.
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Red marks from scratching or rubbing against objects or gravel.
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Sunken eyes.
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Fluid accumulation under scales causing pale patches on skin.
How to Prevent Ich
The first step in preventing Ich is keeping your water clean by regularly cleaning your filter and performing partial water changes every week or two (depending on how much waste your fish produce). If you notice any white spots on your fish, immediately isolate them from other fish in your tank and treat them with medication before any other fish get sick too!
3. Fungus
Another common aquarium fish disease is fungal infection. It's caused by various types of fungus, including Saprolegnia, Achlya, and Glugea. The fungus spreads over the body of your fish, causing it to lose its color and stop eating. It can also spread to other aquarium fish and kill them.
Signs of Fungus
Common signs of Fungus on fish include:
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Reddening of the skin due to irritation from fungal spores.
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Fish scratching at its own body (especially around gills).
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White or yellow spots on skin, gills or fins.
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Bleeding lesions on skin due to secondary infection.
How to Prevent Fungus
You can prevent fungus by keeping your tank clean and regularly changing the water. You should also avoid overcrowding your tank, since this can lead to increased stress levels among your fish and make it easier for disease to spread.
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If you need more information or if you have any concerns, please feel free to contact us today!
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