List of aquarium diseases

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The following is a list of aquarium diseases. Aquarium fish are often susceptible to numerous diseases, due to the artificially limited and concentrated environment. New fish can sometimes introduce diseases to aquaria, and these can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Most fish diseases are also aggravated when the fish is stressed.

Contents

Common aquarium diseases include the following:

Freshwater

DiseaseCauseFish AffectedImageSymptomsTreatment
Piscine tuberculosis Mycobacterium marinum bacteriaAllWeight loss evident on underparts, with corresponding loss of appetite, papules, discoloration and bulging eyes.Amputation
Fin rot BacterialAllErosion at edges of finsImprove water quality, remove fin-nippers and feed vitamin C enriched food. Use anti-fungal treatment to prevent secondary infections
Mouth fungus or columnaris Flexibacter bacteriaAll, especially livebearers Columnaris disease.jpg Cottony growth near jaws and loss of appetite.Improve water conditions. Use commercially available antibiotics
Swim bladder disease May be bacterial, or caused by chilling or digestive issuesAll, especially balloon mollies Inability to balance in the waterCheck water temperature. A medical bath may help.
Vibrosis Vibrio bacteriaAllDiscoloration, reddish staining of fins, bulging eyes, lethargic behaviorMedicated food
Pseudomoniasis Pseudomonas bacteriaAllHemorrhages in mouth and ulceration on bodyMedicated food
Saprolegnia OomyceticAllWhitish, fur-like growthsVitamin C enriched food, or a commercial remedy in a medical bath. Check to make sure that your fish doesn't prefer Brackish water
Egg fungus FungalEggs onlyFungal growths on eggsRemove affected eggs. Use methylene blue to medicate the hatching tank.
Lymphocystis ViralAllCauliflower-like growths and white areas around the eyesVaccines may be available
Iridovirus dwarf gourami disease Viral Gouramis, angelfish, Ramirez dwarf cichlids and othersloss of appetite. Darkening in color. Enlarged abdomen. Occasionally lymphocystis None
Singapore angelfish diseases Angelfish Inactivity, loss of appetite, high and rapid mortalityNone
Malawi bloat Probably viral Lake Malawi cichlids, especially vegetarian onesSimilar to dropsy Offer a high-fiber diet
White spots (ick) Ichthyophthirius multifiliis parasiteAllSmall white spots, which may ulcerateRaise water temperature slightly and treat water with commercially available remedies
Hole-in-the-head Hexamita parasite Discus and cichlids Oscar2.jpg Pale ulcerated area around head Metronidazole or similar medication. Use food containing vitamin C
Neon tetra disease Pleistophora hyphessobryconis parasite Neon tetras DiscolorationNone
Skin or gill flukes Gyrodactylus and Dactylogyrus parasitesAllLabored breathing, scraping against objects, abnormal gill functionCommercially available medication
Anchor worm Lernaea parasiteAllVisible parasites attached to body leading to ulceration and irritationremove parasites with forceps and use medicated bath to prevent secondary infection. Insecticide may help
Dropsy Varies from temperature, to indigestion to infectionAll Hydropisie.jpg Bloat, scales stick outVaries depending on the cause
Tetrahymena [ citation needed ]ParasiteFreshwater fishNone

Saltwater

Both

DiseaseCauseFish AffectedImageSymptomsTreatment
Marine velvet Amyloodinium parasiteAll, fresh and salt waterPowdered appearance, gasping and disorganized swimming
Velvet disease Oodinium and other parasitesAll salt and freshwater fish OodiniumFish.jpg Golden dots, rubbing against rocks while swimming
Septicemia or Egtved virusViral hemorrhagic septicemia virusMany fresh and salt water fish VHS.png hemorrhaging, internal and external Virkon AQUATIC

Quarantine

The goal of quarantine is to prevent problems in the main tank due to sickness. A quarantine tank should be used before to introduce any newly acquired animals in the main tank and to treat fish that are already sick. By doing this, the aquarist can avoid the spread of the disease and make it easier to treat the fish. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neon tetra</span> Species of fish

The neon tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater and clearwater streams in the Amazon basin of South America. Its bright colouring makes the fish visible to conspecifics in the dark blackwater streams, and is also the main reason for its popularity among freshwater fish hobbyists, with neon tetras being one of the most widely kept tropical fish in the world.

<i>Ichthyophthirius multifiliis</i> Parasitic species of protozoan

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, often termed "Ich", is a parasitic ciliate described by the French parasitologist Fouquet in 1876. Only one species is found in the genus which also gave name to the family. The name literally translates as "the fish louse with many children". The parasite can infect most freshwater fish species and, in contrast to many other parasites, shows low host specificity. It penetrates gill epithelia, skin and fins of the fish host and resides as a feeding stage inside the epidermis. It is visible as a white spot on the surface of the fish but, due to its internal microhabitat, it is a true endoparasite and not an ectoparasite.

<i>Pterophyllum</i> Genus of fish

Pterophyllum is a small genus of freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae known to most aquarists as angelfish. All Pterophyllum species originate from the Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin and various rivers in the Guiana Shield in tropical South America. The three species of Pterophyllum are unusually shaped for cichlids being greatly laterally compressed, with round bodies and elongated triangular dorsal and anal fins. This body shape allows them to hide among roots and plants, often on a vertical surface. Naturally occurring angelfish are frequently striped transversely, colouration which provides additional camouflage. Angelfish are ambush predators and prey on small fish and macroinvertebrates. All Pterophyllum species form monogamous pairs. Eggs are generally laid on a submerged log or a flattened leaf. As is the case for other cichlids, brood care is highly developed.

Fin rot is a symptom of disease or the actual disease in fish. This is a disease which is most often observed in aquaria and aquaculture, but can also occur in natural populations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine aquarium</span> Salt water aquarium

A marine aquarium is an aquarium that keeps marine plants and animals in a contained environment. Marine aquaria are further subdivided by hobbyists into fish only (FO), fish only with live rock (FOWLR), and reef aquaria. Fish only tanks often showcase large or aggressive marine fish species and generally rely on mechanical and chemical filtration. FOWLR and reef tanks use live rock, a material composed of coral skeletons harboring beneficial nitrogen waste metabolizing bacteria, as a means of more natural biological filtration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New England Aquarium</span> Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts

The New England Aquarium is a nonprofit organization located in Boston, Massachusetts. The species exhibited include harbor and northern fur seals, California sea lions, African and southern rockhopper penguins, giant Pacific octopuses, weedy seadragons, and thousands of saltwater and freshwater fishes. In addition to the main aquarium building, attractions at Central Wharf include the Simons Theatre and the New England Aquarium Whale Watch. More than 1.3 million guests visited the aquarium each year prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velvet (fish disease)</span> Parasitic disease of fish

Velvet disease is a fish disease caused by dinoflagellate parasites of the genera Amyloodinium in marine fish, and Oodinium in freshwater fish. The disease gives infected organisms a dusty, brownish-gold color. The disease occurs most commonly in tropical fish, and to a lesser extent, marine aquaria. Periodic use of preventive treatments like aquarium salt can further deter parasites. Regular monitoring, attentive care, and preventive measures collectively contribute to keeping Goldfish health and Velvet-free.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congo tetra</span> Species of fish

The Congo tetra is a species of fish in the African tetra family, found in the central Congo River Basin in Africa. It is commonly kept in aquaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fishkeeping</span> Practice of containing fish

Fishkeeping is a popular hobby, practiced by aquarists, concerned with keeping fish in a home aquarium or garden pond. There is also a piscicultural fishkeeping industry, serving as a branch of agriculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common goldfish</span> Breed of goldfish

The common goldfish is a breed of goldfish and a family of Cyprinidae in the order cypriniformes. Goldfish are descendants of wild carp from East Asia. Most varieties of fancy goldfish were derived from this simple breed. Common goldfish come in a variety of colors including red, orange, red/white, white/black, yellow/white, blue, grey/brown, olive green, yellow, white, and black, with the most common variation being orange, hence the name. The brightness, duration, and vividness of the color may be an indication of the fish's health status, but not always, as water conditions and quality of care affect the fish's appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Substrate (aquarium)</span>

The substrate of an aquarium refers to the material used on the tank bottom. It can affect water chemistry, filtration, and the well-being of the aquarium's inhabitants, and is also an important part of the aquarium's aesthetic appeal. The appropriate substrate depends on the type of aquarium; the most important parameter is whether the aquarium contains fresh water or saltwater.

<i>Cryptocaryon</i> Genus of single-celled organisms

Cryptocaryon irritans is a species of ciliates that parasitizes marine fish, causing marine white spot disease or marine ich. It is one of the most common causes of disease in marine aquaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disease in ornamental fish</span>

Ornamental fish kept in aquariums are susceptible to numerous diseases. Due to their generally small size and the low cost of replacing diseased or dead fish, the cost of testing and treating diseases is often seen as more trouble than the value of the fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dropsy in fish</span> Condition caused by the buildup of fluid inside the body

Dropsy is a condition in fish caused by the buildup of fluid inside the body cavity or tissues. As a symptom rather than a disease in its own right, it can indicate a number of underlying diseases, including bacterial infections, parasitic infections, or liver dysfunction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shark Reef Aquarium</span> Aquarium in Nevada, United States

Shark Reef Aquarium is a public aquarium on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It is located at and owned by the Mandalay Bay resort. The attraction opened on June 20, 2000. Its main tank is 1,300,000 US gallons (4,900,000 L), one of the largest in North America. The facility is 105,000 sq ft (9,800 m2), and displays numerous species of sharks, rays, fish, reptiles, and marine invertebrates. It also features a shark tunnel. The reef was developed in consultation with the Vancouver Aquarium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taraporewala Aquarium</span> Aquarium in Marine Drive, Mumbai

Taraporewala Aquarium or Taraporevala Aquarium is India's oldest aquarium and one of Mumbai's main attractions. It hosts marine and freshwater fish. The aquarium is located on Marine Drive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freshwater aquarium</span> Water tank for holding aquatic animals

A freshwater aquarium is a receptacle that holds one or more freshwater aquatic organisms for decorative, pet-keeping, or research purposes. Modern aquariums are most often made from transparent glass or acrylic glass. Typical inhabitants include fish, plants, amphibians, and invertebrates, such as snails and crustaceans.

<i>Stichodactyla gigantea</i> Species of sea anemone

Stichodactyla gigantea, commonly known as the giant carpet anemone, is a species of sea anemone that lives in the Indo-Pacific area. It can be kept in an aquarium but is a very challenging species to keep alive and healthy for more than 3–5 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquarium</span> Transparent tank of water for fish and water-dwelling species

An aquarium is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aquatic reptiles, such as turtles, and aquatic plants. The term aquarium, coined by English naturalist Philip Henry Gosse, combines the Latin root aqua, meaning 'water', with the suffix -arium, meaning 'a place for relating to'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swim bladder disease</span> Disease of fish

Swim bladder disease, also called swim bladder disorder or flipover, is a common ailment in aquarium fish. The swim bladder is an internal gas-filled organ that contributes to the ability of a fish to control its buoyancy, and thus to stay at the current water depth without having to waste energy in swimming. A fish with swim bladder disorder can float nose down tail up, or can float to the top or sink to the bottom of the aquarium.

References

  1. "How To Quarantine Aquarium Fish And Invertebrates". Aquariums Life. 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2015-09-18.

Bibliography