Fish Care and Pathologies

This flashcard set covers legal requirements, anatomy, housing maintenance, and common disorders for fish kept as non-traditional pets.

Game fish (Minnesota Legal Requirement)

Species including sturgeon, pike, walleye, bass, trout, sunfish, and eels that can only be kept if purchased from a dealer licensed by the state Department of Natural Resources.

Tropical fish

The classification of fish species most commonly maintained in tanks.

Temperate fish

A classification of fish referring to sport or game fish.

Mucous coat

A layer overlying fish scales that protects against trauma and pathogens, and assists in camouflage and signaling behavior.

Operculum

A bony cover protecting the gills, which are used to absorb oxygen and excrete $CO_2$ and ammonia.

Fish Heart

An internal organ consisting of a $2$-chambered structure.

Swim bladder

A gas-filled abdominal sac used by fish to vary depth without needing to swim continuously.

Established Tank Water Maintenance

The process of replacing $10-20\%$ of the water every $1-3$ weeks.

Abnormal Fish Behaviors

Signs of distress including listlessness, swimming erratically, floating upside down, or gasping at the water surface.

Fish Nutrition

Dietary components that typically include high protein, fat as an energy source, and low carbohydrates.

ICH (White Spot Disease)

A disorder caused by Ichthyophthirius multifilis, characterized by small raised blisters on the skin or fins and flashing.

Ammonia Toxicity

A condition caused by inadequate cleaning or overfeeding where ammonia levels should be kept below $1\,\text{ppm}$.

Fin Rot

A secondary bacterial infection caused by stress or poor water quality, resulting in milky, frayed fins that may slough off.

Velvet (Rust/Gold Dust Disease)

A disease caused by Oodinium or Piscinoodinium, appearing as a fine yellow or rust-colored film on the skin.

Anchorworm

A parasite primarily seen in goldfish and koi, visible as short white worms under scales; treatment involves sedating the fish for physical removal.

Dropsy (Edema/Ascites)

A condition resulting from primary stress and secondary bacterial infection, characterized by a swollen belly and a "pinecone" appearance of the scales.

Gill Flukes

A fluke parasite infection diagnosed via skin scrape or gill biopsy, causing signs such as gasping for air and swollen gills.

Swim Bladder Disease

A disorder primarily seen in goldfish and bettas where fish are unable to float correctly, often treated by withholding food and then feeding cooked, skinned peas.