Determining Skin Disorders In The Aquarium

Many different skin problems can arise in the aquarium. thankfully, through careful observation on a daily basis, they can be diagnosed and treated. Carefully check your fish on a daily basis, looking for abnormal growths, any change in the body of the fish, or damage to the scales, fins, or body covering. Look for the presence of parasites, and watch swimming behavior, to see if there is any chnage in their habits. Making a daily visual diagnosis is of utmost importance to the health and happiness of your fish friends.

The most common skin ailments are White Spot Disease, Velvet Disease, parasitic infestations, eye diseases, Mouth fungus, Fungus, Anchor Worm, Fish Louse, Ulcer Disease, Septicemia, and stress.

Let's take them in order:

1. White Spot Disease: Look for visible spots on the skin. Ichtyophtirius or White Spot Disease presents as spots that are distinct and separate.

2. Velvet Disease: Are spots numerous and dusty in appearance? Is your fish of the freshwater type? If so, then the fish is probably suffering from Oodinium limneticum, or Velvet Disease.

3. If parts of the skin is excessively slimy, and this slime is cloudy and covering most of the fish's body, then suspect a parasitic infestation. Generally, they will be infested with one of three different parasites - Costia,Chilodonella, or Trichodina.

4. If the slime noted in number three is covering the eye only, then suspect an eye disease, usually caused by improper handling and poor water conditions.

5. If there is slime around the mouth that presents as fine, tufty, and very short filaments, then chances are good that your fish is suffering from Mouth Fungus.

6. If the slime on the fish's body is filamentous and tufty in appearance like cotton, then suspect a Fungus.

7. If a parasite is visible, and is worm-shaped in appearance, then your problem is probably Anchor Worm.

8. Again, if a parasite is visible, and is round in shape, suspect Fish Louse.

9. If an ulcer is visible on the fish's body, then suspect an ulcer disease, which is caused by bacteria, and may indicate that the fish suffers from Septicemia.

10. If the skin is reddened, and appears dull, then the chances of Septicemia are high. Septicemia is a bacterial conditional, and a serious threat to your fish.

11. If the same conditions exist in a long finned cold-water fish, you may have a fish that has been subjected to sudden changes in tank conditions, such as rapidly rising/falling temperatures and PH levels.

If careful observation is used, you will be able to quickly detect and diagnose skin conditions in your aquarium. Remember, if you cannot make a diagnosis, check with a vet that specializes in fish disease.

Alden Smith is a published author, and has been marketing on the internet for 7 years. His website, King Discus, is an active gathering place for discus breeders and lovers of discus fish. His wife Betsy is the administrator of All The Best Recipes a site rich in online recipes and cookbooks.

---

Reincarnating Pets

It is always sad when a beloved animal family member... Read More

So are you ready for a Boxer Dog?...

An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More

What is It About Horses and Young Girls?

In a world of computer games, the Internet and shopping... Read More

West Highand WhiteTerriers - Westies Dogs - Footcare Health Tips

Westies dogs' owners delight in the companionship their dogs give... Read More

Train Your Dog To Be Your Frisbee Playing Buddy

On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem... Read More

How To Set Up A Quarantine Tank For Tropical Fish

Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More

Dog House Training

Dog House Training can be simpleTo start your dog house... Read More

Problem Barking-What to Do When Your Dogs Barking is The Neighborhood Nuisance

Puppies and dogs, as mentioned, are social creatures. When they... Read More

10 Questions Im Most Asked about Dogs in Heat

1. What is heat?Heat is more properly called the estrous... Read More

Syrian vs. Dwarf Hamsters, What Should I Get For My Family?

As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care... Read More

How To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy - Playtime for Kitty

While dogs tend to get lots of exercise, cats are... Read More

Horse Manure Management--What are Your Options?

You need a strategy for using or disposing of your... Read More

How to Crate Train Your Puppy

One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy... Read More

?Sit Up? Buddy: Training Your Dog To Sit Like You

The trick of "sitting up" is easily taught to small... Read More

Choosing the Right Dog Breeder

When looking to purchase a purebred dog, you need to... Read More

The Fun of Do It Yourself Snake and other Reptile Cages

Are you nuts? You think banging your finger with a... Read More

Lower Your Veterinarian Costs And Increase the Longevity of Your Pets Lives

What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating,... Read More

Analysis of Cat Behavior

The most important thing to remember in analyzing the behavior... Read More

Social Robotic Dogs in Kennels

Have you ever been to a dog kennel and listen... Read More

How To Determine The Sex of Discus Fish

One of the biggest question asked of the discus breeder... Read More

Pets: The Wild Kind

Just because we moved out to the country a couple... Read More

PH Levels in The Discus Tank

Because it is imperative that discus fish have optimal water... Read More

How To Know What Your Cat Wants When It Talks To You - Cat Communication Explained

Many people think cats are asocial, but in fact they... Read More

Does Your Dog Dig?

Dear Fellow Dog Lover,I assume you love your dog, or... Read More

West Highland White Terrier ? How To Capture the Best Pictures of Your Westies

For most West Highland White Terrier owners, the dog is... Read More

What About a Newfoundland Dog

Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show... Read More

Is A Boxer Dog The Right Pet For You?

Having a boxer dog as a pet, although low-maintenance, require... Read More

Buy Dog Supplements Online

Dog SupplementsA good nutritional program of dog supplements is just... Read More

How To Save Money By Testing For Feline UTI Yourself

Do you want to save money, anxiety for your kitty,... Read More

Animal Ethics

IntroductionA long time ago, before evolution turned the primate into... Read More

Breeding Tetra Fish Successfully

If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More

How To Setup A Freshwater Tropical Fish Tank

This is an 11 step guide to setting up a... Read More

What Your Cat Wants You To Know

If your feline friend could speak your language, here a... Read More