Tropical Fish Symptoms

When dealing with tropical fish illness and disease, it's always a good idea to have a good guidebook at your side. We recommend this book as a handy desktop reference.

Not all of the symptoms a tropical fish displays, are indicative of disease or illness. In many cases, it may be habit particular to that species. Following are some common real illness, and behavioral signs shown by tropical fish.

· Hovering: Where a fish suspends itself in the water, with minimal fin motion. It may be on the verge of “sleeping”, or in the case of angelfish, Siamese fighting fish, and hatchet fish, this is part of normal behavior.

· Drifting: A fish moves through the water, but sluggishly, and seemingly without making an effort to go in a particular direction. Often seems to float upwards. This is seen as an indication of serious illness or impending death.

· Bottom Hugging: Fish which seem to spend most of their time on or near the bottom, may be either asleep, or simply a sedentary species, such as some catfish, plecostomus, algae eaters and lung fish. If you notice a single fish from a normally active species on the bottom, separate it to a holding tank and watch for other signs of illness. If several normally active fish are on the bottom, check your tank conditions, including temperature, PH, and then check the fish for signs of disease.

· Circling: A fish swims only in circles, and never in a straight line or zig-zagging motion. This is often a sign of fin damage on one side, either from disease or fighting. The “good” side will always be on the outside. Likewise, if the fish has become blind in one eye, it will circle with the good eye on the outer side.

· Color Loss: Patches of skin that have lost color, may have actually lost scales from disease or fighting. Overall color loss of the body can be caused by insufficient oxygen, or a severe drop in temperature. Heightened color is not normally a sign of illness. In some species it is part of mating rituals.

· Heads Down: When a fish is observed in a semi-vertical position with its head below the level of its tail. This is a sign that the fish has lost its buoyancy, either through disease or injury, and likely has an accumulation of gas under the skin.

· Heads Up: The fish “stands” on its tail at a somewhat vertical angle. This may be indication of infection or injury. In tetras, the symptom is produced by microsporidian infestation.

· Surface Swallowing: Surface breathers, including the lungfish, normally must come to the top of the water, in order to get air. Others, including the leaf fish, dwell on the surface, and are not ill. Likewise, fish who build bubble nests on the surface, are preparing to lay eggs. However, fish that gasp and grab at the water’s surface, may be suffering from hypoxia, caused by insufficient oxygen/air circulation or gill disease.

Recommended! A-Z of Tropical Fish Diseases and Health Problems: The aim of this book is to help aquarists recognize signs of illness so they can identify and resolve problems. Divided into three sections, the first focuses on health and husbandry, describing the signs of a healthy fish, anatomy and general care; the second provides signs of diseases and health problems and is cross-referenced to section three, which covers the treatment of diseases and health problems. Illustrated throughout with top-quality color photos, the book is an invaluable reference for novice to experienced fishkeepers. Click here for your copy.

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