Sometimes, fish become victims of a disease. Some fish diseases are easy to cure, and others can be deadly. Many aquarists have quarantine tanks set up to adjust the body temperature of the new fish to the water's climate. It is useful to quarantine them from the main tank, to prevent potential disease contamination. If a fish becomes sick in the main tank, it must be removed from the main tank and transferred to a quarantine tank, which then becomes a hospital tank. You can make your own to cure fish diseases.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Identifying Sick Fish
Step 1. Recognize a bacterial infection
Bacterial infections can come with different symptoms. You can recognize these symptoms through observation. Here's an example::
- Inactive fish
- The color is fading
- The fins are tattered
- Body swells
- Blurred eyes
- Abscess
- Open wound
- The red line on the fish's body
- Reddish discoloration of the skin, fins or organs
- Difficulty breathing
- Protruding eyes
Step 2. Recognize fungal infections
Fungal infections can be associated with other types of disease. Symptoms of a yeast infection can include:
- Strange swimming behavior, including a tendency to spin rapidly around the tank
- White lumps that grow in the eyes, skin, or mouth of the fish
Step 3. Identify infections due to parasites
If your fish has a parasitic infection, the symptoms will differ from those of a bacterial or fungal infection. Some of the symptoms to watch for include:
- Lack of appetite
- Tendency to be less active
- Unusual membranes or mucus on the fish's body
- Worms or spots you can see on or in the body of the fish
- Fast breathing
- There are scratches
Step 4. Identify other diseases
Some other diseases may not be due to infection, such as tumors, constipation, injury, or even congenital abnormalities. Most diseases are treatable, and proper screening can help prevent disease recurrence in both freshwater and saltwater tanks.
Part 2 of 3: Making a Hospital Tank
Step 1. Find a tank to use as a hospital tank
A hospital tank can be an inexpensive aquarium or an old tank that is not being used as the main tank. Do not use substrate (sand or gravel) or live plants. Filter systems that do not use carbon should be used in hospital tanks because carbon can remove some drugs.
- Artificial plants can be used to soothe sick fish. Any type of cover that the fish can use for cover can also make him feel comfortable.
- Filters that don't use carbon should also be on low power so they don't bother the fish too much.
Step 2. Use a good quality heater
Fish tank water must be at the appropriate temperature. Choose a heater that doesn't change the temperature too often to keep sick fish comfortable and safe. Make sure you protect the fish from the heat burn. Also block the heater from coming into direct contact with the fish. You can do this by placing a barrier, such as a plastic blanket.
The animal or aquarium store can suggest other options for using as a heater divider
Step 3. Use an aeration stone
Aeration stones in the aquarium will help replace oxygen in the water. This stone is very useful in hospital tanks because some drugs can lower the oxygen level in the water. Aeration stones are available at any place that sells aquarium equipment.
Step 4. Place the hospital tank in a dark room and the aquarium light is dim
Some diseases can be prevented with little or no light, so keeping the aquarium in a dark room with dim aquarium lights can help treat sick fish. Of course, this depends, on the pathogen, but if your fish's disease is a light-requiring disease, leaving the aquarium lights dim and placing it in a dark room will help the fish fight off the disease.
Check with an aquarium specialist at a veterinary supply store or veterinarian to see if fish diseases can be cured with minimal lighting
Part 3 of 3: Treating Sick Fish
Step 1. Transfer the fish to the hospital tank
Make sure that the water in the hospital tank is as similar to the main tank in terms of temperature, water source, and regular additives as possible, including the dechlorination process. Have two additional tanks or buckets filled with at least 9.5 liters of water. Make sure the water used has very similar characteristics to the main tank. Use the net to move the fish to the first bucket.
Step 2. Add salt to the water
Add 3/8 teaspoon salt every 3.8 liters of water to the first bucket in two to 10 minutes. Transfer the fish to the next bucket of water and wait 15 minutes. After 15 minutes have elapsed, add another 3/8 tsp of brine every 3.8 l of water to the second bucket. Wait another 15 minutes and transfer the fish to the hospital tank.
Step 3. Treat the fish
Check on the internet to help you diagnose the disease. You may need to ask a veterinarian who specializes in fish for this. After determining the type of disease that attacks, buy the right medicines. Use of drugs in hospital care. Make sure you follow the proper medication instructions.
Step 4. Watch the fish for ten days
Keep the fish in the hospital tank for ten days during the treatment process. Change 30% to 50% of the water in hospital tanks daily to keep the tanks clean and fresh. Move the fish to a shallow bowl each day and observe – use a magnifying glass if possible – to track the progress of healing and determine whether or not the fish can be returned to the main tank (on the tenth day).
Step 5. Get rid of germs in the tank
To prevent the spread of disease after the fish are treated, make sure you clean all tanks. This can be done using liquid hydrochloric acid or potassium permanganate. Both are available at specialty aquarium supply stores and possibly at pet supply stores that provide aquarium equipment. Make sure you follow the instructions for use in cleaning the fish tank – let the liquid sit in the tank for two to three days, then clean it thoroughly and use a disinfectant.
Refill the tank afterwards and restart the filtration system to get the water back to normal for the fish
Tips
- Have a first aid kit for fish ready any time.
- Prevention is more important than treatment. New fish should always be quarantined.
Warning
- Be extra careful with medications and NEVER give them too much.
- Make sure the food plants you use (if you have live plants) don't have side effects that can kill fish.
