Page 59 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

HEALTH CONCERNS 57

BACTERIAL DISEASES

CONDITION AT RISK SYMPTOMS TREATMENT
① Piscine tuberculosis All fish Weight loss, especially evident on the underparts, with No effective treatment for the causal mycobacterium.
loss of color and often bulging eyes (exophthalmia). Loss Entire aquarium needs to be stripped down and
of appetite. May try to hide. disinfected after an outbreak before any restocking.
② Fin rot All fish Erosion of the edges of the fins, often with some Check and improve water quality as necessary. Identify
reddening suggesting inflammation. May follow and remove fin-nipper. Feed Vitamin C–enriched food.
fin-nipping by tankmates. Treat with antifungal remedy.
③ Mouth fungus All fish, but especially Cottony substance on the jaws. Fish loses appetite Often a sign of deteriorating water conditions. Use an
livebearers and often displays shimmying movements. Caused antibiotic or other commercial remedy.
by Flexibacter bacteria.
④ Swim bladder All fish, especially Fish has consistent difficulty maintaining its balance in Try to identify the cause. Check water temperature to
disorder Balloon Mollies the water, listing or even floating on its back. May be be sure heater is working. If an infection is suspected,
(see p.169) caused by an infection, chilling, or anatomical problems a medicated bath may help. Lowering the water level
linked with a more corpulent body shape. may aid recovery.
⑤ Vibriosis All fish Lethargy, skin discoloration, exophthalmia, reddish Medicated antibiotic food may help to contain an
staining of the fins, abdominal swelling. Spreads fast and outbreak. Good quarantine practice and water quality
can cause rapid mortality. Caused by Vibrio bacteria. management will help prevent outbreaks.
⑥ Pseudomoniasis All fish Results from infection by Pseudomonas bacteria. May Treatment can be difficult, because many strains are
result in hemorrhages in the mouth and ulceration on resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Treat with
the sides of the body. Small hemorrhages can occur medicated foods or possibly direct injection.
internally, affecting the liver and kidneys.

FUNGAL AND VIRAL DISEASES

CONDITION AT RISK SYMPTOMS TREATMENT
⑦ Saprolegnia fungus All fish, especially May follow an injury, resulting in whitish, furlike areas Treat using a commercial remedy in a medicated bath.
brackish water species on the affected part of the body. Spores are invariably Give food rich in Vitamin C.
kept in freshwater present in aquarium water.
⑧ Egg fungus Most species, especially Furry growth on eggs. The fungus may initially attack Remove eggs, and add dye such as methylene blue
Bumblebee Gobies dead eggs but will rapidly spread to healthy neighbors if to the water in the hatching tank.
(see p.189) unchecked, compromising hatching rates.
⑨ Lymphocystis All fish The most common viral disease, resulting in cauliflower- Not highly infectious but can spread through direct
like growths over the body surface and white areas contact. Vaccination may sometimes help to provoke
around the eyes. May sometimes develop internally. immune response and overcome the virus.

⑩ Iridovirus Many fish, especially Weakness, loss of appetite, and darkening in color. The High mortality. No effective treatment.
gouramis, angelfish, and abdomen may be visibly distended, indicating an enlarged
Ramirez Dwarf Cichlids spleen. Some types of iridovirus are responsible for
lymphocystis (see above).
⑪ Singapore angel Angelfish Fish become inactive, lose appetite, and die rapidly. No treatment possible. Quarantine affords best hope
disease (SAD) (see pp.140–141) Epidemics of this disease, first recorded in Singapore, have of containing an outbreak.
caused great damage to the trade in angelfish in the past.

⑫ Malawi bloat Cichlids from Lake This disease (suspected to be viral) causes symptoms No effective treatment. Offering a high-fiber diet may
Malawi and resembling dropsy. Fish have swollen abdomens and provide some protection.
neighboring lakes sometimes pop-eyes. Especially affects vegetarian species.

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