subject: Common Fish Ailments and Illnesses [print this page] Common Fish Ailments and Illnesses Common Fish Ailments and Illnesses
Fish often fall ill when kept in an aquarium or pond. It is something that needs to be constantly checked and treated accordingly with the correct medications. Here are a few common diseases or ailments that your fish can suffer from, how to prevent them and how to treat them.
Cotton Wool Disease or "Fungus"
Signs of this disease are white patches around the mouth and body developing into "cotton wool" like growths. The disease is caused by a bacteria that attacks weakened orstressed fish. Sudden water quality changes or moving fish can bring on fungus attacks.Off the shelf treatments should work well in the early stages of the illness and bathing your affected fish in a mild salt water solution.
FinrotSigns of fin rot are pretty obvious. As the name suggests the affected fish's fins start to rot away or become ragged. Again this disease is usually caused by poor conditions or moving of fish from tank to tank. Off the shelf treatments for finrot are readily available and work very well but prevention by correct care is always better than cure.
White Spot
White spot is a parasitic infection that is caused by poor conditions or stressed fish. Signs are small white spots like sugar grains usually around the eyes and fins. Treatment can be easy if caught early on and many off the shelf treatments are available. Sometimes raising the temperature in the tank by a couple of degrees can speed up the healing process dramatically.
