Page 227 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

HEALTH CONCERNS 225

Brown/yellow water indicates
Toxins enter the water in poor water quality
the bubbles of air Unhealthy fish swims
erratically near the
There are many aspects water surface
of aquarium design and
management that can
contribute to illness.
This diagram shows the
most common problems Hospital tanks allow
to watch out for. sick fish to be separated
from others in the tank.
Good feeding and water
conditions allow the
fish’s immune system to
function at its best.

Rotting food
from overfeeding
Smoking or using household leads to a buildup
sprays near the pump Blocked coral sand prevents filter of ammonia
delivers toxins into the tank
function, leading to a buildup of
ammonia and nitrite
Water treatment
Some conditions of marine fish, especially parasitic infestations,
INVERTEBRATE HEALTH can be treated rapidly and effectively by exposure to fresh
Bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases can affect tank invertebrates, water, with no medication necessary. These treatments work by
but home diagnosis and treatment of these animals is not highly upsetting the internal balance of water and body salts within
developed. More often, health problems arise from environmental parasites—a process called osmotic shock. Bear in mind that
shortcomings, such as a lack of suitable lighting above the they will affect the patient in a similar way so must be carried
aquarium or lack of compatibility between tankmates. Even
apparently sessile invertebrates, such as corals and anemones, out very carefully to minimize stresses.
must be well spaced so there is no risk of neighbors coming into Treatment should be administered in a basic acrylic tank
contact and stinging each other to death. filled with dechlorinated tap water and heated to the same
temperature as the water in the main aquarium. The pH of the
A number of marine tank should be raised to the appropriate level by adding one
invertebrates can suffer
from light starvation. teaspoonful of sodium bicarbonate to 1 gallon (4 liters) of
Powerful illumination is water. All water parameters
needed by those which should be checked before
contain beneficial algae,
and a strong water introducing the sick fish. DANGEROUS FISH
current is necessary to Do not leave the fish during
waft food within reach • Take care with lionfish
and remove waste. treatment, and monitor and (see pp.264–265), which are
watch its behavior closely. It armed with poisonous spines.
is normal for marine fish to • Fish such as eels may bite
Treatment and medication lie on their sides and breathe your fingers if fed by hand.
Drugs are available to treat many conditions of marine fish; a heavily when being treated, • Sharp projections on the
good retailer will guide you to the most suitable. Treatments but if you think the fish is bodies of surgeonfish can
should be carried out in an isolation tank or bath, rather in distress, return it to the inflict a painful cut if they
than in the main aquarium itself; this is because the remedies saltwater tank without delay. brush against your hand.
may contain copper or other elements that are toxic to As a general rule, fish should • Some marine fish can
invertebrates. Before moving the fish back into the main tank, be immersed for no longer bite through electrical
cables. Avoid danger by
remove any copper by using carbon in the filtration system of than five minutes for using reinforced cables.
the isolation tank; check the water with a copper test kit. successful treatment.

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