Marine fish disease can have serious consequences if not caught early and treated properly. Here's everything you need to know about this problem.
Marine Fish Disease - Facts
Problem Definition:
Marine fish diseases can affect a number of fish in different ways. These diseases affect fish when their immune systems are weak or when they have changes in their environment that allow diseases to develop more easily.Symptoms:
The symptoms displayed by fish with diseases will depend on several factors. One is the age and general health of the fish. Another is the type of disease and how long it has been present. Some common symptoms include a development of aggressive behavior, a change in eating habits, a loss of interest in playing or chasing its tank mates, appearance of spots or rashes on the body of the fish, a change in swimming habits, and other physical and behavioral changes.Duration of Problem:
Many marine fish diseases can last only a few days or weeks. However, the more serious the problem becomes, the longer it will last. The duration of the problem will also depend on when the disease is found and what course of treatment is selected.Exposure:
Fish with weak immune systems will be more likely to develop marine fish diseases because their bodies are not as good at fighting off infection as healthy fish are. Changing the water chemistry, lighting, and temperature of your tank too rapidly can also cause your fish to become susceptible to the development of disease.
Marine Fish Disease - Prevention & Treatment
The Treatment:
Treating your fish may involve something as simple as cleaning your tank more regularly or using different cleaning solutions to maintain a well-balanced tank. More serious conditions may require the use of medications to combat illness.Prevention:
A clean and well-maintained tank is the first and best step in preventing disease. Cleaning your tank often will prevent a buildup of bacteria and other organisms that may lead to disease in your fish. Also be careful to make subtle changes to the water chemistry and temperature since rapid changes can cause problems.Precautions:
Make sure you do not give your fish too much medication. While the proper doses can be helpful, overdosing can be harmful or even fatal.Helpful Supplies:
Books that have pictures and descriptions of diseases can be very helpful in determining what disease your fish has and the best method of treating that disease. Medication can also be helpful for treating some illnesses.
Marine Fish Disease - Concerns
Level of Seriousness:
How serious the disease becomes depends on what type of disease it is, how early it was detected, and the type of treatment selected. If you treat the disease early on, it may not have the chance to develop into a serious problem.Lasting Consequences:
If not treated properly or early enough, some diseases can be fatal or can cause physical or behavioral changes in your fish.Genetics:
The environment of the fish tank outweighs the effect of genetics on the development of diseases.Lifestyle Accommodations:
You may need to adjust your schedule so that you have more time for caring for your fish tank.Expense:
Some conditions can be treated easily with an inexpensive medication, but others might require many courses of treatment or require you to purchase expensive cleaning or filtering equipment.