Do the fish in your aquarium look different? Do they have white spots, cloudy eyes, or rough fins? Is their behavior unusual? Even well cared for fish can get sick, and when they do, Pet's General Store in Lakewood, OH has the fish health and wellness products to bring them back to their normal, healthy selves. We also supply everything you need to keep your fish healthy.
The help prevent your fish from getting sick, feed them properly and don't congest the tank. Monitor temperature levels. Do your partial water replacements frequently. Sometimes, however, despite your best efforts, diseases find their way into an aquarium. Below are some typical aquarium fish diseases and the signs that your fish may be dealing with them:
Ich, short for Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, is the most common fish tank parasite. Signs of ich (pronounced "ick") are: increased white spots, rapid breathing, rubbing against ornaments, or darting about the tank. There are medications and other treatments available for ich.
Other parasites include chilodonella, with symptoms similar to ich, and oodinium, aka rust, gold, or velvet dust disease, which causes an oddly tinted dusting on the fish's body. There are also fish lice, anchor worms, flukes, and nematodes. Different symptoms include unpredictable swimming, loss of color, excessive mucous, difficulty breathing, and bloating or wasting.
After parasites, the most usual diseases are bacterial infections, such as fin and tail rot. Signs and symptoms of the bacterial disease are white film, cloudy eyes, ragged fins, and open sores. Bacterial infections are difficult to treat since antibiotics can disrupt the aquarium and filter.
Fungal infections are much less regular and usually take the form of cotton-like growths.
Viral infections occur in goldfish and koi but are much less common in other aquarium fish.
If you see or suspect any of these issues in your fish, it's a good idea to speak with an specialist regarding diagnosis and treatment. Pictures and videos can be helpful in conveying the symptoms you're seeing.
Pet's General Store is your local pet store for all your fish requirements. You can find all you need at Pet's General Store in Lakewood, OH. Stop by our store or call (216) 226-0886 to talk to a member of our team today!