Discovering and Preventing Aquarium Fish Illness
John Gorecki
Aquarium fish fall ill just like any other pet. The illnesses
are as a result of disease. The common diseases that affect
aquarium fish are mostly stress induced.
The micro-organisms which cause these diseases may be present
in the water as part of the normal micro fauna and grab the
opportunity to infest or infect the fish when it is stressed
and its normal defense are weakened.
Different ways aquarium fish suffer from stress
- Aquarium fish usually start experiencing stress starting from
the time it’s about living the breeding farm till when the end
purchaser finally picked it from retailer. Most beginners don’t
really know how to handle fish.
- The quality of water is another cause of aquarium fish
stress. Different fish species have different water quality
that will make the environment conducive for them. Quality
parameters like pH, water hardness, high nitrite and carbon
dioxide level, low dissolved oxygen salinity of water, water
temperature and others.
- Any change in environment like physical damage, leaches, lice
and introduction of new fish that is not quarantine could lead
to stress in aquarium, thus making life non conducive for fish
in aquarium tank
- Change in weather condition is another factor that leads to
aquarium fish stress. When there is heavy downfall as you know
the weather will become cold and this could lead to stress in
aquarium.
- Poor Diet as a result of lack in nutritional requirement
always leads to poor performance in fish immune system. Fish
immune system will struggle to operate efficiently. This will
result in a stressed fish.
Warning signs of illness in aquarium fish
You can easily know when your fish are going through stress if
you watch them very well and often. You will notice signs like
fish swimming with clamps up (closed) in their fins, hovering
in a corner, heavy breathing and fish brushing its body against
objects. These are warning signs you need to act on immediately.
How to reduce stress in aquarium
To reduce stress in aquarium, you need to guide against factors
that lead to stress. The following are tips on how to prevent
stress that ultimately leads to illness:
- Make sure you have detail information about the fish species
that you will be introducing to your tank. Enquiring about its
requirements before you buy it will help you a lot. Thus, ask
lots of questions before making your purchase.
- Knowing the right food for your fish is another important
thing you have to know as this may vary from species to
species. If you have this knowledge you will be able to provide
foods that are rich in nutritional ingredients that your fish
require.
- Keep the environment clean.
- When you want to introduce new fish, make sure it's
quarantined to reduce the risk of disease.
For more great aquarium related articles and
resources check out http://tropicalfish.aquariumspot.com
