Types of Fish Diseases: Symptoms and How to Treat Swordtail Fish
Description: knowing about types of diseases and how to treat swordtail fish will help in identifying health problems in your fish.
Swordtail fish may be a resilient species, but it does not mean that they cannot have health problems. All fish owners must know about types of diseases and how to treat swordtail fish, especially if they keep the fish for business.
Common Swordtail Fish Diseases, Symptoms, and Treatments
Swordtail fish rarely get infected with diseases, but conditions such as stress and bacteria can affect their immune system. Here are several common diseases with their symptoms and treatments:
• Ich
Ich causes fish to develop white spots on their bodies. The more severe cases cause fish to have bigger, slimy patches, get scratched more easily, and emaciated. Ich is caused by parasites in the water.
Solution: increase the water temperature to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) and add medications, such as the combination between formalin and green malachite.
• Fin Rot
Fish with fin rot get their fins frayed and damaged because of fungal infection. The fish may also lose their appetite. It can happen if the water is contaminated with toxic compounds and has a low temperature.
Solution: remove the fish that has been severely infected. Treat the rest with fungal infection medications for fish. Change the water and keep the temperature at 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).
• Fish fungus
The fish fungus causes white, cotton-like spots to grow on fins, mouth, or body. The causes are low water temperature and stress. The fish fungus is contagious, so you need to separate an infected fish from the others.
Solution: treat the infected fish with antifungal medications. Don’t forget to raise the tank’s water temperature. Keep the 1:3 male-to-female ratio to prevent stress from male swordtails’ aggressive behaviors.
• Ammonia poisoning
Ammonia poisoning can happen if the water contains too much organic waste. Fish often flock to the surface and “gasp” for air. It can also happen if the tank’s filtration system is damaged.
Solution: change the water every day until the tank has low ammonia level. Avoid overpopulation by using at least a 10 to 15-gallon tank for the minimum population (one male for three to five females). Replace the water once a week, and always check the filtration system.
• Vitamin deficiency
Swordtails that do not get enough vitamins will develop symptoms such as bent spines (scoliosis), lethargy, lack of appetite, and reduced brilliance. It is caused by imbalanced nutrition from careless feeding.
Solution: swordtails are omnivores, so make sure to give them varied types of foods. Combine fortified pellets with blanched vegetable cuts, shrimps, bloodworms, and frozen daphnia.
These do not cover all the fish diseases you may find. However, knowing basic types of diseases and how to treat swordtail fish will help you keep better eyes on your pet fish.
References:
http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/stressdisease.shtml
https://fish.mongabay.com/diseases.htm
https://www.ratemyfishtank.com/blog/common-freshwater-tropical-fish-diseases