Fish Health articles

HOW TO ACCLIMATE NEW FISH TO YOUR AQUARIUM
by Aquariumpros.com staff
Summary: Fish are sensitive to rapid changes in their environment and must be acclimated slowly. How to do this.

CATCHING FISH THE EASY WAY by Lois and Max Gallade
Summary: Utilizing an ancient strategy in a modern context, Max "catches fish the easy way."

THREE STRIKES by Tony Dawe
Summary: Fish species have evolved to fit into their different natural environments. They can adapt to some extent, but if a species' "optimum environment" is replicated in the aquarium, the fish will live longer and be more active and resistant to disease.

CRUELTY THROUGH IGNORANCE by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: Cruelty to animals through violence or neglect is easy to condemn. But some fishkeepers are cruel simply because they are ignorant of their fishes' needs.

HOW TO QUARANTINE FRESH AND SALTWATER FISH, AND INVERTEBRATES by Frank M. Greco
Summary: Frank works at the New York Aquarium. This is a detailed and authoritative summary of the quarantining procedures used there.

QUARANTINE: "An ounce of prevention..." by Anthony Evans
Summary: The importance of quarantining new fish. The procedure: the quarantine aquarium, period of quarantine, water temperature, cleanliness. How to rinse new plants.

SOME SIGNS OF A SICK FISH by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: A comprehensive list of visual cues to identifying sick fish in aquariums.

DAILY TANK CHECKS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: A brief commentary on the importance of daily tank checks.

SICK FISH! WHAT DO I DO? by Kent Cannon
Summary: This informative article discusses the value of quarantine tanks, recommends books, and describes symptoms and the corresponding disease.

FISH DISEASES by Anon
Summary: A comprehensive survey of common aquarium fish diseases, including their diagnosis, causes, and cures.

MY FISH JUST DIED! by Bill "Pegasus NZ"
Summary: Fish die for a variety of reasons, but seldom from old age. Bill suggests we investigate why each of our fish dies, and finds a microscope useful for this purpose. Microscopes also open a new world to the fishkeeper, which Bill compares to a diver going beneath the ocean's surface.

DANGER SIGNS WITH YOUR FISHES by William Stoke
Summary: How to recognise the the existence of ill health in a fish: locomotion, colouration, contours, skin problems, respiration and appetite.

TOXIC ALGAE BLOOMS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Toxic algae 'blooms' can occur in fish tanks (and ponds), and cause distress and death to tank occupants - and can also affect humans. The causes, and how to treat the problem.

HYPERPLASIA IN FISHES by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Hyperplasia is an abnormal increase in cell numbers, causing new growth or tumors. Irritations that cause hyperplasia. How to prevent and treat it.

ICH: AN OLD CURE FOR AN OLD DISEASE by Terry Ranson
Summary: The protozoan Ich is present in most aquariums in small numbers, and can cause disease outbreaks when fish are stressed or new fish are added. Terry prefers to treat Ich with natural methods before resorting to harsh chemicals.

LYMPHOCYSTIS DISEASE OF FISHES by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Lymphocystis is the most commom viral infection of aquarium fish. It causes cell enlargement (hypertrophy) usually on the skin and fins.

PREVENTION OF MALAWI BLOAT by Terry Ranson, with additional comments by Phil Benes. Edited by Mark Weierman
Summary: Editor Mark Weierman believes that "Phil’s comments and Terry’s article, taken together, make the most comprehensive, well rounded presentation possible on the prevention of this nasty condition, and give the Malawi cichlid enthusiast a good deal to think about, and to put into practice."

MONOGENEA OF FISHES by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Monogenetic trematodes (Monogenea) are parasitic flatworms mostly found on the gills, fins, skin, and eggs of freshwater and saltwater fishes. They are not normally a problem in natural environments, but can build up in fish tanks. How to diagnose and treat them.

PARASITES AND SIMILAR PROBLEM ORGANISMS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Various fish parasites, some normally free-swimming organisms, and various species of algae can become a problem. What to consider, and some examples of treatment.

THE TROUBLE WITH PLANARIA WORMS? by Majid Ali
Summary: Planaria worms are tiny, thin, milky white, parasitic worms which can appear in tanks that are overfed and when ammonia levels rise. A discussion of how to eliminate them.

SUBSTRATE INGESTION BY TANK OCCUPANTS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Various animals ingest substrate to obtain calcium, to aid in buoyancy regulation, to help grind up food, maybe because they are "bored," and accidentally while ingesting food. How to deal with this problem.

TREATING WOUNDS ON LARGE OR MEDIUM SIZED FISH
by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: A nicely illustrated article about how Andy caught, sedated and treated a koi with a wound from deep fungal infection.

new FISH TB (MYCABACTERIUM MARINUM) FAQ, by Dr.Adrian Lawler
Summary: Dr.Lawler shares his knowledge of this fish disease capable of crossing over to humans. Due to the number of enquiries he receives about it, he has put together a list of FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions.

HUMAN MYCABACTERIUM MARINUM ARONSON INFECTIONS ,
by Dr.Adrian Lawler
Summary: Dr. Lawler receives frequent enquiries about Mycobacterium marinum (fish tuberculosis) and so has contributed a previously published scientific journal article detailing the subject.

A FEW COMMENTS ON MYCOBACTERIUM MARINUM by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Dr.Lawler sheds light on a fish disease (sometimes referd to as Fish TB) capable of crossing over to humans.

DISEASES TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Aquarium maintenance can be dangerous! Fish tank diseases can be transmitted to humans, and "some can be rapidly FATAL." Scary stuff that all aquarists should be aware of.

SOME INFECTION DETAILS OF AQUATIC/FISH TANK INFECTIONS
by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Since the posting of his talk, "Diseases Transmitted to Humans" (see above), a number of people have contacted Dr. Lawler concerning their own experiences with water borne infections. Infection methods of some of the cases are presented here.

TANK SAFETY/FISH TB by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: A follow-up to the above article. Update of list of bacterial infections transmitted from fish to humans. The most common is "fish TB," Mycobacterium marinum. How to seek a cure. Safety practices to prevent the transfer of this and other aquatic diseases/parasites.

FISH TUBERCULOSIS by Leslie Keefer
Summary: Causes and symptoms of fish TB. Mycobacterium marinum. Possible treatment. There is some danger to humans when servicing infected tanks.
August 2003: Clara Brentwood added the story of her personal encounter with this disease.

FISH TANK AEROSOLS TRANSMITTING INFECTIONS TO OTHER TANKS OR HUMANS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: If water flow or tank aeration is strong enough to produce watery aerosols, then various diseases and even small parasites (or other small tank occupants) can be transported via those aerosols to other tanks AND to people that breathe in the aerosols or come into contact with settled aerosols. Prevent viable biological agents from being in aerosols by using a UV light sterilizer, or ozone treatment on the tank. The resulting sterilized aerosols will not transmit disease, either to other tanks, or to humans.