Signs of Illness in Fish

Illness in fish is not only dangerous to the fish (which can rapidly decline in health), but is also dangerous to the entire aquarium, including the other fish in the habitat. It's very important to keep an eye on your fish for any signs of illness so that they can be isolated from the rest of the fish population and so that they can be treated effectively and in a timely manner.

Treating ill fish can be easy. There are treatments and medications that cure all sorts of illnesses. The hard part, however, can be identifying and determining a problem. Sometimes the signs are obvious to the eye, like discolorations or obvious changes in behavior, but other times they can be subtle. Here are some ideas of what to look for:

Erratic swimming or lack of movement: Fish have personalities just like other animals, and their personalities are often shown in their swimming patterns. Some fish are naturally active and others may be shy. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with their individual personalities so that you notice changes. Any swimming that seems erratic (sudden changes in direction, darting around, bumping into objects, etc.) or any lack of movement can be an indication of illness.

Changes in diet: If you notice any change in diet, especially if the fish stops eating, it could be a sign of disease.

Physical abnormalities can include discoloration, swelling, rotting fins or abnormal growth. Rotting fins could be a sign of bacterial infection, together with sores, red skin and/or clouded eyes. Skin that is red or has white patches and abnormal growths could indicate parasites. Another indication of this would be if the fish is rubbing against the edge of the tank or against any objects inside the tank.

Sluggishness: Sluggishness can indicate simple water problems, so test the water to determine safe levels of pH, hardness, etc. Sluggishness can also indicate bacteria, or parasites. Look for other symptoms to confirm a particular disease.

There are specific treatments for every type of ailment a fish can get. The important thing is to diagnose the right disease. If needed, contact a pet dealer or veterinarian for advice on diagnosis and treatment. It's important to treat fish immediately, but it may be even more important to isolate the fish so as not to contaminate healthy fish. Also, once you've confirmed a sick fish, keep an eye on the rest of the population to be sure they remain healthy.

Keeping fish healthy is a continuous task that requires patience, constant observation and careful vigilance. If you want your fish to live long, healthy lives, it's all worth it.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets.