Treating Common Ailments in Freshwater Aquarium Fish
Treating Common Ailments in Freshwater Aquarium Fish
By Jason MacParland
Although partial water changes and good quality food lower the chances of fish ailments, fish keepers should always know ways to treating common ailments in freshwater aquarium fish. There are many diseases that can strike fish and while some of these diseases are rare, others are more common. This article will elaborate on all you need to know about treating common ailments in aquarium fish.
Illness in Fish
Aquariums contain many parasites that cause diseases like hex, ich, hole in the head disease, velvet and dropsy. Fish that have a healthy immune system fight off these parasites but fish that are stressed out get affected by these parasites. Partial water changes and good food ensure that your fish have a strong immune system.
Treating Ich
Ich is also known as white spots since the main symptom of this disease is white spots on the body of the affected fish. Fish that are affected by ich often scratch their bodies on decorations and the glass which causes wounds along with secondary infection. Treatment of this disease consists of raising the temperature of the water by 2 – 3 degrees and using 1 teaspoon aquarium salt per gallon water. If the affected fish does not improve with this course of treatment then you can use malachite green or methylene blue to treat the fish.
Treating Hole in The Head
Hole in the head is caused due to a lot of factors but the most common cause is bad water conditions. The main symptom of this illness is a hole in the forehead of the fish. Angelfish, Oscars and discus are often affected by this illness. Treatment of this illness consists of improving water quality by changing 30% water every 2 days for 1 month. While changing the water you should also use 1 teaspoon aquarium salt per gallon water. After this disease has been cured you should continue to maintain water quality so that your fish are not affected by this illness again. A combination of Marcyn medications are sometimes used to treat hole in the head disease.
Treating Dropsy
Dropsy in fish is caused due to bacteria and symptoms of dropsy include a swollen tummy and scales that protrude like a pine cone when looked from above. This disease is considered fatal and hard to treat if not caught in time. Treatment of dropsy consists of using Epsom salt to extract water from the body of the fish. Anti bacterial medicines like teramycin can also be used but antibiotics should be used if Epsom salt does not work.
Assembling a First Aid Kit for Fish
Your first aid kit for treating common ailments in aquarium fish should contain aquarium salt, Marcyn I, Marcyn II, teramycin, metronidazole and Epsom salt. You should replace medicines whenever you use them and you should replace medicines that have expired.
Note
While treating common ailments in aquarium fish you should partially change the water once to keep the nitrate levels in control. It is important to remember that copper based medications kill invertebrates, plants and scale less fish so these medicines should be used with caution.
Jason MacParland is a freshwater aquarium expert. For more great information on home freshwater aquariums, visit http://www.easyfreshwateraquariumcare.com to learn more about setting up and maintaining a home freshwater aquarium.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_MacParland
http://EzineArticles.com/?Treating-Common-Ailments-in-Freshwater-Aquarium-Fish&id=3573343
Tags: Freshwater Aquarium Guide, Freshwater Fish, Freshwater Fish Ailments, Freshwater Fish diseases, Freshwater Tropical Fish
