IS YOUR FISH SICK? THE #1 CAUSE OF ILLNESS & HOW TO SPOT IT

HOW DO I KNOW AND CURE FISH ILLNESS?

Reader's Letter

I gave up the fish-keeping hobby about three years ago after only eight months of very limited success. I would now like to try again after having read a series of your columns on Aquarium care.

I am aiming to buy a new Aquarium equipped with natural plants from your company, but how do I know when the fishes fall ill?

MARTIN D.B.(Dr) LAGOS.

Expert's Response
"Many diseases that commonly affect aquarium fish are stress-induced. The micro-organisms which cause these diseases may be present in the water part of the normal microfauna and seize the opportunity to infest or infect the fish when it is stressed and its normal defenses are weakened.

Fishes fall ill because of stress suffered during:

𑇐 Handling at breeding farms and all stages of transport through the wholesaler, retailer, and purchaser.

𑇐 Cold weather after a heavy rainfall.

𑇐 A drastic change in the water chemistry, like high nitrite and carbon dioxide levels, low dissolved oxygen, sudden changes in temperature, etc.

𑇐 An injury due to physical damage or the action of leeches, lice, and anchor worms.

 Illness will often show when a fish swims with closed fins, becomes listless, breathes heavily, and brushes its body against plants or objects inside the aquarium. When making a diagnosis of illness, there are some visible signs that you have to look out for before you can treat the disease.

Have you struggled with a sick fish? What stressors do you think were the cause? Share your experiences in the comments below!