» Fish Diseases

Tumors in Tropical Fish

Doug — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 00:04:01 +0000

Tropical fish are like other species in many respects, and that includes the fact that they have diseases or disorders that may resemble those of other animals, but are specific to the fish themselves. One good example is tumors. Just as humans, cats or dogs may get cancer or other types of tumors, so can tropical fish. The main difference is that treatment in fish is nearly impossible, depending on the type and location of the mass. Not only are they difficult to handle where a human can have clear visual access to them, but such things as surgery are basically out of the question. Tumors generally show themselves as a lump under or on the skin of fish. These are a distinct bump or lump, as opposed to the white fluff of skin diseases. For the most part, tumors are benign, although it’s possible for one to grow so large that the fish’s quality of life declines and you may have to euthanize them. One type of tumor that does have some success with treatment, is the kind that forms under the skin of the gill, causing it to remain open. The cause of this is usually a thyroid malfunction. Remove the fish to a hospital tank, and add 1 milligram of potassium iodine for every gallon of water. Improvement can be slow, and the full course of treatment can take up to four weeks. Internal tumors can be quite advanced before the fish shows any signs, such as a swelling of the abdomen. These cases are invariably fatal, with the rapid growth causing the fish to lose its ability to swim or eat, at which time you should consider euthanasia. About The Author Nate Jamieson Love Tropical Fish? Find out how to create a beautiful, low-cost tropical fish aquarium with complimentary tips at http://www.TropicalFishIsland.com. Written by: Nate Jamieson

Aquarium Fish Health: Dealing With Cotton Mouth Disease (Mouth Fungus)

Doug — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 00:21:15 +0000

by Nathan Miller

Cotton Mouth disease also know as Mouth Fungus is a disease your fish can get and it needs to be dealt with quickly. Cotton Mouth disease is not as common as the while spot disease, but it is highly infectious and contagious. The victim fish shows a whitish fungus round the cheeks and lips. The lips may become swollen and rot away. Sometimes a rotten strip of lip attached only at one end will move in and out of the mouth as the fish breathes.

Fish infected with Mouth Fungus lose their appetite and their movement become sluggish. If no adequate treatment is given, the whole frontal part of the head may be eaten away finally and the fish dies. Unless the affected fish is of considerable value, it should be killed before this fatal disease attacks the other occupants of the tank. Think about it… is trying to save the life of one fish worth risking the death of the rest of the fish in your aquarium?

But if you insist on keeping the fish or in case the infection has already been passed on to other occupants, the following treatment is advised: - Swabbing the mouth of the victim fish with a soft cloth dipped in strong salt solution. Then you must then keep the patreat isolated in a bucket or jar containing a strong salt water. - Try swabbing the lips with a 5 per cent silver mercury preparation. - Make a solution of Terramycin or Aureomycuin by dissolving 50mg per gallon of water, a rapid cure is expected within 48 hours. You can try all of the above remedies, but the most common remedy is the popular Methylene blue solution. To perform this remedy the sick fish should be placed in a jar, bucket or a treatment tank into which has been added a methylene per blue to colour the water deep blue. Nathan Miller For more great aquarium related articles and resources check out http://aquariums.aquariumspot.com

Aquarium Fish illness: how to discover it!

Doug — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 22:58:06 +0000

Aquarium fish also fall ill just like any other pets. The illnesses are as a result of disease. The common diseases that affect aquarium fish are mostly stress induced.

The micro-organisms which cause this diseases may be present in the water as part of the normal microfauna and grab the opportunity to infest or infect the fish when it is stressed and its normal defenses are weakened.

Different ways aquarium fish suffered from stress

* Aquarium fish usually start experiencing stress starting from the time itâ€™s about living the breeding farm till when the end purchaser finally picked it from retailer. Most beginners donâ€™t really know how to handle fish.

* The quality of water is another cause of aquarium fish stress. Different fish species have different water quality that will make the environment condusive for them. Quality parameters like pH, water hardness, high nitrite and carbon dioxide level, low dissolved oxygen salinity of water, water temperature and others.

* Any change in environment like physical damage, leaches, lice and introduction of new fish that is not quarantine could lead to stress in aquarium, thus making life non condusive for fish in aquarium tank

* Change in weather condition is another factor that leads to aquarium fish stress. When there is heavy downfall as you know the weather will become cold and this could lead to stress in aquarium.

* Poor Diet as a result of lack in nutritional requirement always leads to poor performance in fish immune system. Fish immune system will struggle to operate efficiently. This will result in a stressed fish.

Warning signs of illness in aquarium fish

You can easily know when your fish is going through stress if you watch them very well and often. You will notice signs like fish swimming with clamps up (closed) in their fins, hovering in a corner, heavy breathing and fish brushing its body against objects. These are warning signs you need to act on immediately.

How to reduce stress in aquarium

To reduce stress in aquarium, you need to guide against factors that lead to stress. Following are short tips on how to prevent stress that ultimately leads to illness:

* Make sure you have detail information about the fish specie that you will be introducing to your tank. Enquiring about it’s requirements before you buy it will help you alot. Thus, ask lots of questions before making your purchase.

* Knowing the right food for your fish is another important thing you have to know as this may vary from species to species. If you have this knowledge you will be able to provide foods that’s rich in nutritional ingredients that your fish require.

* Keep the environment clean.

* When you want to introduce new fish, make sure it’s quarantine to reduce the risk of disease.