Tropical Fish Diseases

Dropsy is probably the most common of all tropical fish diseases. It's sometimes hard to spot but usually a swollen abdomen is one obvious symptoms; listlessness, lack of appetite, and spending a lot of time at the top of bottom of the tank are also signs of stress in any fish so these too might be present. When their scales stick out slightly in a fan this too can be a symptom. It is possible to pass the disease from one fish to another so any fish with dropsy should be put in a quarantine tank. It's one of the more serious of tropical fish diseases but is also easily treated with antibiotics readily available at your pet supply store. Usually a buildup of algae is the main cause of dropsy so be sure you clean your tank regularly; this is one of the best steps you can take to avoid most tropical fish diseases your pets might get.

Fish ich or ick is also one of the more common of tropical fish diseases. It is characterized by white drops that your fish get on their body and by them getting slow or sluggish. Usually it's best to raise the water temperature of your tank and then add medication to the water for a good two weeks so that you're sure to get the entire condition cleared up, even if the symptoms are gone.

Preventing common tropical fish diseases is not that difficult. Beware of overfeeding your fish as uneaten portions of fish food degrade in the water and cause an excess amount of bacteria and algae. Be sure you're cleaning on a regular basis and don't allow the water to get cloudy or green. Believe it or not, some of the varieties of fish you purchase may also be responsible for some cases of tropical fish diseases in your tank; bully fish or those that are overly aggressive will nip at smaller and more demure fish, leaving them open to sicknesses and injuries. Do some homework on the type of fish you plan on buying or the ones you already own and see if any of them are know for very aggressive personalities. If so, you might consider separating them or purchasing a larger tank so there is more room between them and the other fish.

Any responsible fish owner will do well to watch out for tropical fish diseases and treat them as quickly as possible.

John Hubert is a researcher of tropical fish and has recently published the ebook on Ways To Care For Your Tropical Fish

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