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Fish health issues
There are several issues that your new fish might encounter through their lives related to their health and all of these issues are treatable and will not change your fish if caught early and treated properly. The majority of fish health issues arise from one of three factors; bacteria or fungus, parasites or chemicals in the water. With each of these areas, treatment will do the trick and make sure your fish survive.
Fungus and Bacteria
With fungus and bacteria related illnesses it is important to treat immediately and thoroughly. The causes will remain in the tank and continue to harm your aquarium until your tanks has been treated and is clear of the culprits. Issues such as Columnaris, notable as a white cotton like substance growing from the gills and/or fins can be treated by a fungus guard or fungus eliminator. Columnaris is introduced into a clean tank by using infected materials, such as nets, or even splashing contaminated water in the clean environment. There are other bacterial infections that will rot the flesh away on the fish so rapid accurate treatment is essential
Parasites
Parasites range form tiny mites that burrow into the skin to long worms that will attach themselves to the fish. Ranging from gill parasites that will suffocate your fish if not treated to parasites that burrow under the skin and will cause serious issues with fish, the parasite world is very vast and can be confusing. The best advice is to keep a parasite medication, fungal medication and bacterial medication on hand and if your fish start showing any signs of distress then figure out what is troubling the fish through research and treat them.
Chemicals
The chemical level in your tank will affect your fish if it is not kept in balance. Some visible signs of chemical instability are noticed in your fish behavior. Instead of swimming normally you fish will seem to be lost and wander around the tank. Fish may seem to gasp at the surface as if gasping for air or rock back and forth. Each chemical in your tank will change your fish’s behavior. What I do with my tank is I keep all of the adjusters on hand that I will need, if I start to see a fish that isn’t acting normal, I test all of my levels to see what is off and adjust accordingly.
Fish are not that difficult to keep once you get the hang of everything. Just a little common sense and paying attention to their behavior will tip you off to any issues and usually you will have a change to correct the problem before all of the fish are hurting and die.