Page 230 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

228 MARINE FISH: ILLNESS AND TREATMENT

BACTERIAL, VIRAL, AND FUNGAL DISEASES

CONDITION AT RISK SYMPTOMS TREATMENT
⑨ Vibriosis All fish Variable symptoms, ranging from loss of body color, Outbreaks often occur in fish that are in poor
frayed fins, and cloudy eyes to sudden death. Caused condition or that are new introductions. Treatment
by Vibrio bacteria that are naturally present in the gut. with an antibiotic bath can be effective.
⑩ Fin rot All fish Reddening and erosion at the edges of the fins, which Usually linked with poor water conditions, so carry out
may become ragged and allow entry of secondary a partial water change. Make sure fish are not being
infections. Caused by any one of a range of bacteria. overfed. Treat infections with antibiotics.
⑪ Piscine tuberculosis All fish Weight loss, pale body color, declining appetite, Hard to detect at first. No effective treatment. Review
and, ultimately, scale loss. This condition results from diet, because the bacteria may be introduced in fresh
infection by Mycobacterium. shellfish and fish foods.
⑫ Cauliflower disease All fish Whitish, raised growths on the body, which can develop A short freshwater dip may help. No treatment is
a cauliflower-like branched appearance. New arrivals to available, but the disease is neither highly infectious
the tank are most vulnerable. The disease—also known nor (usually) grave; left alone, the nodules will fall off
as lymphocystis—is caused by a viral infection. within about a month. Do not try to remove the
nodules, because the rate of reinfection is high.
⑬ Marine fungus All fish Disorientation (hence the name “whirling fungus”). The Treatment is virtually impossible. Separate suspected
(whirling fungus) fungus attacks body organs and commonly results in loss cases immediately and treat with antifungal agents.
of color and weight and ulceration.
⑭ Pop-eye All fish One or both eyes protrude abnormally from their sockets Try antibacterial treatments and improve water
and sometimes turn cloudy. Can result from infection or conditions.
poor water quality. Also known as exophthalmia.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND INJURIES

CONDITION AT RISK SYMPTOMS TREATMENT
⑮ Bullying All fish Physical injury, including damaged fins and eyes, and Separate and treat affected individual as required.
scales missing from the body. Fish may be seen being Watch for opportunistic infections on any damaged
chased and attacked, although this may occur after dark. parts of the body.
⑯ Excessive mucus All fish Slimy appearance to the body. Fish frequently rubs itself Try to establish underlying cause and treat accordingly.
production against tank decor. Excessive mucus production indicates If no symptoms of parasites are evident, this can be the
skin inflammation. result of trauma rather than infection.
⑰ Loss of balance All fish Affected individual swims at an abnormal angle Typically caused by chilling. Add warm water to tank
in the water and is often incapable of swimming and closely monitor temperature. Can also result from
in a straight line. swim bladder disorders, for which little can be done.

⑱ Poisoning All fish Depends on nature of poison. Fish may cluster at the Ascertain cause as quickly as possible. Immediately
surface, where they appear to struggle for breath. May carry out a water change of up to 40 percent of the
also float on their sides, hang at abnormal angles, or try tank volume. Add activated carbon to the filtration
to jump out of the water. Often, fish die very rapidly. system to remove harmful substances.
⑲ Salt imbalance All aquarium occupants Numerous behavioral changes, such as swimming Check SG readings regularly and be sure not to
abnormally, gasping, and loss of appetite, resulting from increase the salinity in the aquarium by incorrect
an increase in tank salinity. dilution of water.
⑳ Starvation Many Fish not seen feeding, but may appear healthy. Affected Offer a good variety of suitable foodstuffs. Try
individuals develop an indented lower body line, to house with other fish that feed readily, which
commonly described as “pinched up.” Fish with highly should encourage the more nervous fish to sample
specific diets are at greatest risk. unfamiliar foodstuffs.

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