Aquarium Fish Health: White Spot Disease Symptoms and
Cures
Nathan Miller
Fish death is one of the main problems that beginner aquarist
and even some expert aquarist face. It’s frustrating to the
extent that most quit keeping aquarium fish.
But fish death can be avoided. Most fish deaths are caused as a
result of both an internal and external types parasites that
compete with the fish in tank.
As a result if you watch your aquarium fish often you should be
able to discover when they have been infected by this parasite
and be able to treat them to avoid fish death.
Look out for the following White Spot disease behavioral
symptoms in your fish.
- Constant lying on the bottom or hanging at the surface.
- Rubbing of the body against rocks
- Gasping at the water surface
- No response to feeding
- General dullness and lethargy
- Hovering in a corner
- Fish swimming with clamps up
The most common of the visible signs is the development of the
pin head-size while spots on the body or fins. This ailment is
referred to as White Spot disease and is caused by the parasite
- Ichthyophthirius Multifillis.
This parasite has a free-swimming stage, which attaches itself
to the fish. The most common chemical used in treating infected
fishes is Methylene Blue. You could buy a one per cent stock
solution from a reputable chemist or aquarium shop and apply at
0.8 to 1.0ml per gallon of water. This amount should be added
all at once. Repeat after one or two days.
The fishes must remain in this bath until every while spot has
disappeared. A water change after treatment is necessary or
else prolonged contact with the chemical may affect the
fertility of the fish.
Another tip if you are using a side filter with activated
charcoal should remove it to prevent the coal from absorbing
the Methylene Blue.
Another tip... during treatment you should use artificial
aeration with coarse bubbles near the surface, since a dirty
bottom would inactivate the medicament by absorption. A better
measure is to remove all dirt from the bottom before treatment.
Methylene Blue is harmless to young fish and unlike the general
belief, it does not affect plants if used in weaker
concentration.
For more great aquarium related articles and
resources check out
http://freshwaterfish.aquariumspot.com
