Symptoms |
Causes |
Treatments & Links |
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A). The fish spread their fins, dart about and breathe rapidly If Not ↓
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The pH may be too low If Not ↓
Could be poisoning, or high ammonia levels
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Do a pH test and use baking soda to raise it up to the required level.
Change the water several times and filter over fresh, activated charcoal.
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B). The fins fray and the skin fades until it is whitish If Not ↓
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The pH can be too high
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Do several water changes. If this does not help, lower the pH with Sodium Bisulfate -or- Sodium Monophosphate
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C). Black or brown nodules appear on and between the fin rays and at their bases If Not ↓ |
If the fish were captured in the wild, they could have encapsulated worm larvae (metacercariae)
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Treat with: De-Los
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D). Red worms appear at the bases of the fins If Not ↓
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Bloodworms (Philometra sanguinea) in the blood are involved
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No treatment known, in the aquarium there is no danger of any spread of the parasite.
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E). The fish compress their fins and scrape themselves. Worms are apparent If Not ↓ |
The fish are affected by a skin infection
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Treat with: Praziquantel -or- De-Los -or- Parinox
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F). White dots, up to 1mm in size, form on the fin edges and surfaces If Not ↓
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a). Your fish is affected with Ichthyophthirius (Ich).
b). In saltwater, Cryptocaryon Irritans
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a). Use: Forma-Green -or- Quinine Sulfate
b). Use: Quinine Sulfate -or- Forma-Green -or- Copper Sulfate. |
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G). A velvety coating forms on the fin edges and the sides. With a magnifying glass, the individual dots are visible If Not ↓ |
Your fish are affected by Oodinium
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Use: Forma-Green -or- Copper Sulfate.
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H). The fins, edged in white, grow shorter and shorter If Not ↓ |
Bacterial fin rot, or too high pH
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Check the pH. If this is not the case, treat with: TMP Sulfa -or- Sulfa 4 TMP
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I). Small, white, cauliflower looking substances are attached to the fins, or at the base of the fins. If Not ↓ |
Your fish is affected by the Lymphosistis virus
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No suitable treatment known.
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J). Wormlike cysts, measuring up to 1cm are found in the fins If Not ↓ |
Probably Dermocystidium
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No suitable treatment known.
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| K). The fish have redness at the base of the fins, or... red streaking in the fins and/or body. |
Your fish are affected by Hemorrhagic Septicemia
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Treat the fish with Doxycycline -or- Oxytetracycline for 10 days. |
