Tropical Fish are naturally healthy. If kept in a healthy aquarium, fed
properly and kept warm little or no trouble will be experienced. In
short—IT IS EASIER TO KEEP FISH HEALTHY THAN TO CURE THEM.
Practically all diseases are due to one of the following: UNHEALTHY
TANK—water too acid or alkaline—lack of oxygen—decomposition of
food—plants not thriving. IMPROPER FEEDING—Overfeeding, lack of live
food, lack of variation in diet. CHILL—the cause of most fish ills. Fish
is weakened and subject to diseases, many incurable.
Ichthyopthirius (Ich): A parasite that attacks the fish. Recognized by
tiny white spot on fins. Fish have fins folded and scratch themselves on
sand. Contagious. Treat whole tank (plants and snails need not be
removed). Raise temperature to 80° F. Add about two drops 2%
Mercurochrome to each gallon of water. If fish are not cured in 3 or 4
days repeat treatment.
Shimmy: A wagging movement without changing position is usually the
result of a chill affecting digestive organs. Not contagious—give salt
treatment.
Dropsy: Body swells, scales stand out at an angle. Fish act normal until
a few days before death. Salt treatment sometimes brings relief. Cure
doubtful.
Wounds or Ulcers: Wrap piece of cotton on toothpick; hold fish in damp
cloth and paint wound for 2 minutes with Mercurochrome twice a day. Do
not allow Mercurochrome to touch gills.
Constipation: 1 tablespoon Epsom Salts to 5 gallons of water.
Air Bladder Trouble: Caused by sudden temperature change. Fish swim
either at top or stay near bottom. Cure unknown.
Blood Shot Fins—Tailrot: Condition caused by sudden temperature change
or injury. Use salt treatment.
Fungus—White scum forms over fish. Use salt treatment.
Fluke: Flat and sunken belly. No known cure.
Salt Treatment: Use glass or enamel container, raise temperature to 80°
F., 1 teaspoonful rock or sea salt per gallon of water. (May be doubled
in extreme cases.) Salt (Rock or Epsom) will kill snails and plants.
Tropicals in poor condition, usually indicated by folded fins, should be
isolated at once. Gradually raise temperature to 80° F. Feed live food.
Give salt treatment. Frequently a cure is affected by placing ailing
fish in tank of “green water.” (see page 31.)
Sick fish more easily cured in shallow water.
Sudden changes of temperature may be fatal to weakened fish.
Potassium permanganate solution is an excellent disinfectant and
deodorant. Also destroys algae in aquarium and pool. Tint water faint
pink, repeat when color disappears. Avoid excess.