Aquarium Fish illness: how to discover it

Aquarium fish fall ill just like any other pets. The illnesses are as a result of disease. The common diseases that affect aquarium fish are mostly stress induced.

The micro-organisms which cause the diseases may be present in the water as part of the normal microfauna and grab the opportunity to infest or infect the fish when it is stressed and its normal defence are weakened.

Different ways aquarium fish suffer from stress

• Aquarium fish usually start experiencing stress from the time it is living in the breeding farm till when the end purchaser finally picks 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 need different water quality that will make the environment condusive 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 changes in environment like physical damage, leaches, lice and introduction of new fish which are not quarantined could lead to stress in aquarium, thus making life non condusive for fish in the aquarium tank

• Changes in weather condition is another factor that leads to aquarium fish stress.  When there is heavy downfall the weather will become cold and this could lead to stress in the aquarium.

• Poor Diet as a result of lack in nutritional levels always leads to poor performance in fish immune system. Fish immune systems will struggle to operate efficiently. This will result in a stressed fish.

Warning signs of illness in aquarium fish

You can easily tell when your fish is going through stress if you watch them well and often.  You will notice signs like fish swimming with clampped up (closed) 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 the aquarium, you need to guide against factors that lead to stress. Following are tips on how to prevent stress that ultimately leads to illness:

• Make sure you have detailed information about the fish species you will be introducing to your tank. Enquiring about it's requirements before you buy it will help you alot. 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's rich in the nutritional ingredients that your fish require.

• Keep the environment clean. 

When you want to introduce a new fish, make sure it's quarantined to reduce the risk of disease.