Do the fish in your aquarium look different? Do they have white patches, cloudy eyes, or ragged fins? Is their behavior unusual? Even well cared for fish can get sick, and when they do, Barkley's Pet Market in Hardy, VA has the fish health and wellness products to bring them back to their normal, healthy selves. We also stock everything you need to keep your fish healthy.
The help prevent your fish from getting sick, feed them properly and do not congest the tank. Monitor temperature levels. Do your partial water replacements routinely. Sometimes, however, in spite of your best efforts, diseases find their way into an fish tank. Below are some typical aquarium fish illnesses and the signs that your fish may be suffering from them:
Ich, short for Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, is the most common aquarium parasite. Signs of ich (pronounced "ick") are: elevated white spots, rapid breathing, rubbing against accessories, 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 triggers an unusually tinted dusting on the fish's body. There are also fish lice, anchor worms, flukes, and nematodes. Various signs and symptoms include erratic swimming, loss of shade, extreme mucous, trouble breathing, and bloating or wasting.
After parasites, one of the most common illnesses 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 complicated to treat due to the fact that antibiotics can interrupt the aquarium and filter.
Fungal infections are less regular and commonly take the form of cotton-like growths.
Viral infections occur in goldfish and koi but are 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 professional about diagnosis and treatment. Pictures and videos can be helpful in communicating the signs and symptoms you're seeing.
Barkley's Pet Market is your local pet store for all your fish requirements. You can find all you need at Barkley's Pet Market in Hardy, VA. Stop by our store or call (540) 346-2277 to talk to a member of our team today!