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Fish Diseases: Diagnosis - Page 2© Shannon Beelm
Fungal Diseases:
Fin and Tail Fungus: Grayish or whitish areas appear on tail. Gill Sickness: Gills appear redder than normal, and the gill covers, stand out so that the gills are visible. Disease progresses slowly in mature fish, but kills small fry very quickly. Mouth Fungus: This is very common in guppies, and it kills millions of them. A small white area, seems to prevent the fish from closing its mouth. The entire mouth fills with a spongy-looking growth, and the fish dies. Fish hangs near the surface even if the tank is well aerated. Saprolegnia Resides on the body of the fish. A slimy, flat, white patch seems to replace part of the fish's skin. Parasitic Diseases: Anchor Worms: These worms enter the fish's body in the form of a microscopic organism. They can be seen externally in weeks, or months after they have originally been introduced. They protrude from a blister on the side of the fish. Are introduced by infected fish, live plants, live coral, poorly cleaned live food, and pond water. Fish Louse: The fish louse is a large parasite, and is about 1/8 to ΒΌ of an inch long, and looks like a blister on the fish's side. Under the parasite, a spot of blood is frequently visible. Can occasionally be seen swimming freely throughout aquarium. This disease is usually introduced to an aquarium through an infected fish, live plants, live coral, poorly cleaned live food, and pond water. Flukes: Gill Flukes and Skin Flukes are common parasites of aquarium fishes. Both are transmitted from one fish to another. Fish will shimmy and be seen scratching themselves against aquarium fixtures. Flukes cannot be seen with the naked eye, but may be seen with a strong magnifying glass. Grub Worms: These worms are in an immature stage of a larger gill fluke, or skin fluke, they cannot multiply in the aquarium. They are 1/8 to 1/6 of an inch long, and may protrude from a blister with a white center. Ichthyopthirius ("ick"): White spots form on the fin and scales of the fish. Ich is rarely found on fish that are kept in 80 degree (F) water. Ichthyophonus ("Ich"): This is one of the most common fish diseases, and is fatal if left untreated. Signs of this disease: fish becomes emaciated with shrunken belly, fish loses appetite, and begins to move with shaky, unnatural movements. Fish seems to be sprinkled by little white spots on the fins and body. Infected fishes may live many months.
The copyright of the article Fish Diseases: Diagnosis - Page 2 in Breeding Tropical Fish is owned by Shannon Beelm. Permission to republish Fish Diseases: Diagnosis - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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