Disease in ornamental fish
Open-knowledge reference entry
Ornamental fish kept in aquariums are susceptible to numerous diseases. Due to their generally small size and the low cost of replacing diseased or dead fish, the cost of testing and treating diseases is often seen as more trouble than the value of the fish.
Due to the artificially limited volume of water and high concentration of fish in most aquarium tanks, communicable diseases often affect most or all fish in a tank. An improper nitrogen cycle, inappropriate aquarium plants and potentially harmful freshwater invertebrates can directly harm or add to the stresses on ornamental fish in a tank. Despite this, many diseases in captive fish can be avoided or prevented through proper water conditions and a well-adjusted ecosystem within the tank.
Causes
Diseases can have a variety of causes, including bacterial infections from an external source such as Pseudomonas fluorescens (causing fin rot and fish dropsy), fungal infections (Saprolegnia), mould infections (Oomycete and Saprolegnia), parasitic disorders (Gyrodactylus salaris, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Cryptocaryon, Oodinium causing velvet disease, Brooklynella hostilis, head and lateral line erosion, Glugea, Ceratomyxa shasta, Kudoa thyrsites, Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, Ceratomyxa shasta leeches, nematode, Trematoda, Platyhelminthes and fish louse), viral disorders.
External bacterial infections may cause spots or streaks on the body which appear red or orange Dropsy (bloating) is also a sign of a bacterial infection. "False fungal infections" look like fungus but is actually a bacterial infection known as Columnaris. These symptoms may include a white or gray film on the body.
Bacterial
Bacteria are the most common cause of infectious disease in ornamental fish.
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