Disease

Symptoms

Cause

Treatment

Velvet

Velvet-grey or blue-grey patches on the sides of fish

A single celled organisms called Oodinium pillularis, a numerous number of these organisms give the velvety appearance on the skin of the fish, gills can also be infected causing bleeding and tissue damage, fish can be seen gaping at the surface.

If detected early salt will remedy the problem but at an advanced stage trypaflavine or copper sulphate can be used there are also many commercially available treatments.

White spot (Ich)

White spots the size of fine salt usualy appear on the soft fin tissue first and then on the sides of the fish, the fish rub their bodies against rocks, plants and orniments. Stress related. Usually a consequence of poor or incorrect water conditions or fluctuating temperature.

Ichthyophthirius multifillis, an pear-shaped to spherical organisim 0.2 to 1 mm in size. The parasite has a three-stage life cycle: 1) growth, spent on the fish, 2) cyst, drops off the fish into the gravel and multiplies, 3) infectious stage, the cysts in the gravel have divided into as many as 1000 zoospores, these spores only live for about 70 hours if they don't find a new host.

Most effectively treated in the third (free swimming) stage, Malachite green or Trypaflavine are effective, treatment should be maintained for 15 to 21 days depending on temerature raising the temperature to 28-30C will shorten the life cycle, aquarium shops have good remedies available.

Ulcers

Pinky-white open wounds, often with a white edges.

Very poor water quality or an excessively high pH level. Minor scratches can become infected if conditions are poor.

Test the water for signs of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, do a small (25%) water change very three days for nine days to improve water quality, add aquarium salt at a dose of 1-3g/litre. Use an anti-ulcer treatment.

Cloudy eye

Lens of eye takes on a cloudy, opaque appearance.

Most commonly caused by poor water conditions. A lack of vitamins in the diet may also cause clouding. On occasions flukes, such as Diplostomum, can cause the problem.

Improve water conditions. Use a good quality food containing added vitamins. Eye flukes are uncommon and can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

Dropsy

Swelling of the body cavity due to a build-up of fluid. Scales become raised giving a pinecone-like appearance. One or both of the eyes may be protruded.

Usually triggered by poor water quality, especially the presence of ammonia and nitrite.

Test the water for signs of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, do a small (25%) water change very three days for nine days to improve water quality. Can be difficult to treat. A broad spectrum anti- bacteria treatment is the best option.

Fungus

Fluffy growths affecting wounds on the skin and fins of freshwater fishes.

Usually a secondary infection that invades wounds left by parasites, including whitespot. Rarely a problem in tanks with good water quality.

Improve water conditions and treat promptly. Standard anti- fungal medications, are usually very effective, but may affect filtration.

Finrot

Frayed fins, with a white edge and some blood in the fin tissue.

Damaged fins may become secondarily infected if water is of poor quality.

Treat promptly with a finrot or anti-bacteria treatment to prevent the further spread of the disease. Adding salt to the aquarium (5g per 10lt) will help prevent minor bacterial infections.

Swimbladder disorder

Fish have difficulty swimming to the surface, or to the bottom of the tank. Commonly affects fancy goldfish.

Sometimes caused by poor water quality, can also be caused by a viral infection. Genetic problems in selectively-bred goldfish

Improve water conditions. Feed less dried foods, or pre-soak so they don't swell in the gut.Treat with a anti-bacteria treatment. Very difficult to cure.

Gill flukes

Fish pant at the surface and have rapid breathing, more so after eating.

Tiny flukes infest the gill membranes causing redness and slimy gills.

Formmalin bath outside of aquarium, or commercially available cure from aquarium shop.

Hole in the head

Loss of appetite, uneven swimming, pin sized or larger holes appear in the head region.

Parasitic, Hexamita is a single cell parasite that most often infects South American cichlids. Usually caused by stress, poor water conations and a vitamin, mineral deficiency

If detected early the disease can be helped with the addition of vitamins, water changes, the addition of salt and raising temperature to 30C. In more advanced stages a commercial treatment may be used. Difficult to treat in advanced stages.