Health

Common Pet Fish Diseases

When caring for a pet fish, their health becomes your responsibility. Just like other animals, pet fish are susceptible to many different diseases, which can sometimes be prevented with proper pet care. Taking care of your fish involves being aware of some of the common diseases that can affect fish.

Ich – A Common Pet Health Disease

A common disease that is seen in many pet fish is called Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, also known as Ich. Ich is caused by a protozoan organism that is currently one of the most common parasites to infect fish.

Dropsy in Pet Fish

Many aquarium owners are familiar with the condition known as ‘dropsy’, though they may not understand how this condition affects the health of the fish in their care. Dropsy is a potentially serious health condition that can have a variety of contributing factors, and may or may not be treatable by utilizing proper fish care procedures.

Fungus and Bacterial Infections in Pet Fish

Dropsy (known as ‘Edema’ in humans) is a condition that results from a bacterial infection through unsanitary living conditions. Though dropsy is most commonly caused by a bacterial infection, it may also be caused by other environmental variants.