| DISEASE OR PROBLEM |
WHAT TO LOOK FOR |
CAUSE |
ACTION |
| Acid water |
Acid water can irritate the gills and skin of the fish and the fish may dart and gasp. |
The acid from the fish waste and decayed food builds up. |
Preform water changes and check the pH with a test kit.
|
| Adding new water |
The fish may act distressed. |
The water may contain chlorine, chloramine, copper, or ammonia.
| Test the water then go to a pet shop and buy some stuff to get rid of the contaminate in the tank water. |
| Algae |
Green slime on tank walls and decorations. |
Your light may be too strong or sun light may be shining on the tank. |
Clean walls and decorations and get some algea stopping solution and add the right amount to the tank. |
| Alkaline water |
Tank has white water lines. The fish have frayed fins and plants die. It can destroy the gill and fin tisue. |
You have a hard water supply or you have limestone or seashells in your tank. |
Use a water softener or a pH decreaser. |
| Ammonia in the water |
The water may be cloudy and the fish die. |
Decayed waste builds up. |
Water changing should help. |
| Anchor Worm |
Its a thread like worm hanging from the fish. |
A parasitic crustatean. |
Use a parasite guard. |
| Argulus |
A quarter inch lump slowly moving on the fins and skin. |
A parasitic crustatean. |
Use a parasite guard. |
| Betta Pinch Fin |
The fish floats with its fins closed. |
Gill parasites. |
Use a parasite guard. |
| Black Spot |
Small black spots on the fishes skin. |
Diplostomulum or small fish worms. |
Use a parasite guard. |
| Bloody Fins |
Red streaks on the fishes fins, especially on goldfish. |
Gyrodactylus parasites (monogenetic trematodes). |
Use a parasite guard. |
| Chlorine in your water supply |
The fish dart about and their gills pump furiously. |
Chlorine is added to your water supply to kill bacteria. |
Use a chlorine neutralizer. |
| Clamped Fins |
Fins are held close to the fishes body, especialy in live-bearers. |
Gill or body parasites. |
Use a parasite guard. |
| Cloudy Water |
The water is not crystal clear in an established tank. |
Wastes builds up and possibly overfeeding. |
Use good filteration and check for overlighting and overfeeding. Vacumme the gravel and change some of the water. |
| Cloudy Water in a new tank |
A cloudy look caused by small particles suspended in the water |
Silt from the gravel floating around especially in a new tank |
Perform water changes and use a water clearing solution |
| Columnaris |
White cotton-like fungus on the fish |
It is a bacteria called Flexobacter (Chondrococcus) |
Use a fungus guard or a fungus eliminator |
