Aquarium Diseases -
Symptoms - Treatment
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Disease:
Aeromonas or Hole in the
Side
Symptoms: Red
spots on the side,
growing into open sores.
Also visible red streaks
on the fins or side,
loss of scales and
flesh.
What it is:
Infection, leading to
septicemia and death.
Bacterial versions can
be cured, viral versions
cannot.
Common treatment:
Dual treatment with
medications for both
infection and fungus, to
prevent additional
infection in the sores.
Disease:
Branchiomycosis
Symptoms: Gills
become spotted with
brown patches and tear
off. Fish gasps, trying
to breathe.
What it is:
Fungus
Common treatment:
Medications available.
Do not return fish to
main aquarium until its
gills have regenerated
and repaired in the
quarantine tank.
Disease:
Chilodonella or Slime
Symptoms: Slimy
spots or film on scales.
What it is:
Parasite, commonly
affects fish such as
Angels and Discus but
can be seen in others.
Common treatment:
Medications available,
usually a 10-day course
of treatment is
recommended.
Disease:
Columnaris
Symptoms: Fins
fray and shred. Cloudy
white mold on scales,
similar to fungus but
treatment won’t work.
Gills may turn brown.
Often appears as white
worms on the aquarium
walls before fish show
signs of illness.
What it is:
Parasite, usually with
secondary bacterial
infection
Common treatment:
Medications for parasite
plus antibiotic for
infection.
Disease:
Corneybacteriosis
Symptoms: Eyes
bulge outward.
What it is:
Bacterial infection
resulting in swelling
inside the head, making
the eyes bulge.
Common treatment:
Antibiotics
Disease:
Dropsy
Symptoms: Bloated
body, scales often
standing out from body.
What it is:
Caused by an internal
bacterial infection.
Common treatment:
Antibiotic (usually
tetracycline)
Disease:
Fin or Tail Rot
Symptoms: Long
fins become shredded and
look eaten away.
What it is:
Bacterial infection
Common treatment:
Antibiotic (usually
tetracycline)
Disease:
Flukes
Symptoms:
Behavioral—fish will
scratch itself against
aquarium walls and
furnishings, attempting
to remove the problem.
What it is:
Parasite.
Common treatment:
Medications available.
Aquarium salt baths can
also kill flukes.
Disease:
Fungus or Cotton Wool
(called Cataracts on the
eyes)
Symptoms: White
or gray fuzz resembling
cotton or wool.
What it is:
Fungal infection,
usually appearing on
injuries to fins or
scrapes. Can also appear
on the eyes and mouth.
Common treatment:
Easy to treat with many
medications. Infection
may also be a sign of an
aggressive fish picking
on the one that is ill,
so watch for nipping and
possibly remove the
bully.
Disease:
Hexamita or Hole in the
Head
Symptoms: Small
cyst resembling a pimple
appears on the head,
grows into a big open
sore that is deadly if
not treated.
What it is:
Parasite which can
affect any fish but
commonly infects
cichlids.
Common treatment:
Treat with medications
for this disease and may
also want to treat for
fungus to prevent
additional infection.
Disease:
Ich or White Spot (Ichthyophthiriasis)
Symptoms: Small
white spots that
resemble salt or sand.
Usually appears on fins
first.
What it is: Spots
are growing parasites
that quickly spread to
other fish in the tank.
Common treatment:
Medications available,
but must be used
carefully because they
can harm the fish as
well as treat the
disease. Must wait until
parasites have broken
out of the sacs (spots)
on the fish, but treat
immediately once they
do. Will often have a
second outbreak days
later requiring
additional treatment.
Disease:
Lernea or Anchor Worm
Symptoms: White
cysts resembling pimples
with longer bits of
white hanging out of the
cysts.
What it is: Worms
Common treatment:
Medication, several
available.
Disease:
Oodinium or Velvet
Symptoms: Fine
white powdery spots.
Looks similar to Ich,
but appears on the body
more than the fins.
What it is: Spots
are growing parasites
that can spread to other
fish in the tank.
Common treatment:
Medications available.
Must wait until
parasites have broken
out of the sacs (spots
on the fish). Life cycle
of Oodinium is slower
than Ich and easier to
treat.
