exotics fish diseases

lymphocystis

• viral disease

• nodular white swellings on fins or body

• looks like cauliflower

red pest

• bacterial disease

• bloody streaks on fins or body

• could proceed to ulcerations and possible fin and tail rot

• internal disease with external symptoms

mouth fungus

• bacterial disease

• white cottony patches around mouth

• not actually a fungus, just looks like a fungus attack of the mouth

tuberculosis

• bacterial disease

• emaciation, hollow belly, possibly sores

• main cause is over crowding in unkempt conditions

• humans can contract it

dropsy

• bacterial disease of the kidneys

• bloating of the body, protruding scales

velvet or rust

• protozoan

• clamped fins, respiratory distress, yellow to light brown “dust” on body

• gills are usually first thing affected

• highly contagious and fatal

hexamita

• protozoan

• first symptom of slimy white mucous feces, even while still eating and acting normal

• further signs are the fish hiding in the corner with its head down, head above the eyes gets thin, they blacken in colour, and swim backwards

• intestinal flagellated protozoa that attack the lower intestine

Ich (ichthyophthitius multifiliis)

• protozoan

• salt like specks on the body/fins, excessive slime, problems breathing, clamped fins, loss of appetite

• most common malady experiences in the home aquarium

• 3 phases to the lifecycle and only susceptible to treatment at one stage

1. adult phase

2. cysts phase

3. free swimming phase (best time to treat)

fungus (saprolegnia)

• fungal disease

• tufts of dirty, cotton like growth on the skin, can cover large areas of the fish, fish eggs turn white

• fungal attacks always follow some other health problem

argulus (fish louse)

• parasites

• fish scrapes itself against objects, clamped fins, visible parasites about ¼ inch in diameter are visible on the body of the fish

• fish louse is a flattened mite like crustacean about 5mm long that attaches itself to the body of the fish

anchor worm (lernaea)

• parasite

• fish scrapes itself against objects, whitish greenish threads hang out of the fish’s skin with an inflamed area at the point of attachment

nematoda

• parasite

• worms hanging out from the anus

• a heavy infestation causes hollow bellies