Fish

Dropsy (also known as edema) isn’t a disease but a symptom, with no single pathogen or poison responsible for every case. It’s easily confused with a variety of other things, so careful diagnosis is essential before treatment can begin.

Abnormal swimming patterns are usually the first distinct signs that there is something wrong with your fish. You may notice that your betta seems drunk, swims in circles, or drifts with the current. There are also those that may sink to the bottom and are unable to raise itself, or may be incapable of swimming toward the bottom. A sick betta may also float and stay at the water’s surface. A fish suffering from severe health problems may swim upside down with its abdomen facing toward the water surface. Erratic swimming behavior may be caused by several factors. These include: Parasites affecting the skin and gills – ich, gill and skin flukes, fish lice, and anchor worms Infection of the swim bladder Nervous system disorders –fish often exhibit circling and whirling patterns Neurological damage – bacteria or parasites may infiltrate the brain and surrounding tissues, causing damage Blindness or poor vision – associated with cataracts or corneal damage, which may be hereditary or a result of nutritional deficiency. Excess gas in the water or fluid retention may cause exophthalmia (pop-eye). Parasites such as tapeworms or flukes may migrate into the eye Hypoxia – associated with oxygen-poor water, anemia, or gill disease Nutrition – lack of fiber or other specific nutrients in the diet may result in poor motility of the intestines, thereby resulting in the accumulation of air in the intestines, causing the fish to float abnormally at the surface. Poor water quality – the accumulation of waste by-products in the aquarium water may irritate your fish, and may respond by darting about uncomfortably.,Getting to know the natural behaviors of your betta (Betta splendens) is always a good idea, since it will be easier for you to identify any potential problems at an early stage. Treating specific health problems before they become full-blown is much easier than trying to treat fish suffering from advanced stages of ill health. Water testing should be undertaken first to rule out any abnormality associated with water parameters, including ammonia, nitrate, and pH. Here are some common symptoms that aquarists should look out for to ensure that whatever problems their betta fish may be experiencing will be addressed the soonest possible time.

In This Article Summary View 6 More +

A well-kept pond is a beautiful backyard feature, but it is also a living ecosystem with your plants at its heart. From oxygenating the water to offering shelter to wildlife and preventing algae, aquatic plants are vital to the health of your pond.   Whether you’re new to water gardening or want to improve your routine, this practical guide walks you through the basics of choosing, maintaining, and troubleshooting pond plants throughout the year. With a little effort and know-how, your pond can become a vibrant habitat. 

Fact #5: Make “Tank Changes” a Habit Tank changes — or cleaning the tank and its flora, as well as refreshing the water —should be done regularly. Claricoates recommended replacing one-third of the tank water once weekly. As changes in water temperature (even by as little as one degree) may stress your fish, she recommended normalizing the temperature of the water you are adding by filling a two-gallon jug with tap water, adding de-chlorinator per the package instructions, and leaving it at room temperature for a day before adding it to your tank. “Using a siphoning tube will help you get the debris from the bottom of the tank,” she said. “I typically prefer no substrate at the bottom of my tank unless deciding upon natural plants.” She notes that the addition of plants and snails in a tank increase the risk of parasite problems in fish, “so unless you plan on regular check-ups by a vet or parasite treatment for your tank, you may not want to tackle this challenge.”,Fact #6: Portion Control Equals Better Health Overfeeding fish is the number one cause of problems in fish aquariums, she said. As a general rule, if food falls to the bottom of the aquarium, you are overfeeding your fish. Excess food food in the tank will also make your tank dirty and can cause an imbalance of water parameters, Claricoates said. She said that feeding rainbowfish a balanced, flake-food diet daily is key, but only as much as the fish can easily eat within five to ten minutes of the tank feeding.  Image: EEO via Shutterstock ,By Vanessa Voltolina Whether you’re a lifetime lover of fish, or hope to work a pet fish into your current lifestyle, they can be beautiful additions to any home. Rainbowfish in particular are a popular type to keep as pets and, despite their ubiquity, the average pet parent may not know all that much about them. We’ve pulled together a few fun facts about rainbowfish to help you get better acquainted with these finned friends and learn how to care for them. Fact #1: What’s in a Name? If you say you own rainbowfish, it’s unfortunately not a very specific identifier. “There are a large number of [rainbowfish] species,” said Kristin Claricoates, DVM at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital. Although there are more than 50 species of rainbowfish, neon dwarf rainbowfish, salmon red rainbowfish, Madagascar rainbowfish and threadfin rainbowfish are some common species found in the pet industry.

Popeye, or exophthalmia, is swelling of one or both eyes of the aquarium fish. It is difficult to treat but easy to prevent.

Seahorses are fun, tropical marine fish you can add to your home aquarium. From the way their bodies are designed and the way they move, to the care they need to thrive, these slow-moving animals aren’t your typical fish.   This article will take you through some of the basics about seahorses, as well as how to successfully care for them.    

Dactylogyrus And Neobenedinia Infections in Fish There are many parasites which can infect a fish’s gills, causing various diseases and disorders in these organs. The fish usually becomes pale and has difficulty breathing. Two common parasites which infect the gills of the fish include Dactylogyrus and Neobenedenia. Symptoms and Types Dactylogyrus is a gill parasite which most commonly infects koi, discus and goldfish, and appears like a small worm under the microscope. Infected fish display such symptoms as swollen and pale gills that make breathing difficult for the infected fish. A fish with dactylogyrus will try to remove the parasite by brushing and rubbing against objects in its environment.  Neobenedenia is a large parasite which infects saltwater fishes and destroys their gills, leading to breathing problems. Unfortunately, a Neobenedenia infection often becomes fatal for the fish.

Fish are known mostly for swimming in water and not jumping out of the water. However, certain fishes tend to jump and some can jump fairly high. Some can even fly. Well not really, but the flying fish can actually soar for quite a distance. Fish tend to jump for several reasons, the most common being because the fish is hunting or is being hunted. Jumping makes for a good defense mechanism as the fish being hunted can temporarily escape the fish that is doing the hunting. Game fish such as marlin and largemouth bass tend to jump out of the water to loosen the fishhook that may be stuck to their lip. These fish will jump clear out of the water and shake their head violently in an effort to remove the hook that is impeding their freedom. Other fish, such as the invasive Asian carp, have been known to jump out of the water when an outboard motor-powered boat drives through the water in which these fish live. There are plenty of YouTube videos showing these carp jumping out of the water, often landing in the boats that are going through the area. It is not known why these fish jump but there is speculation that the outboard motor’s noise causes the fish to jump out of the water. Aquarium fish, on the other hand jump for other reasons. The marbled hatchetfish is an accomplished jumper and unless your tank is securely covered, the hatchetfish will jump out of the tank. The marbled hatchetfish (Carnegiella strigata ) feeds on the surface, and in the wild are known to jump out of the water to dislodge any insects that may be crawling on any low hanging leaves or branches. Once the insect hits the water, the hatchetfish has an easy meal. Another popular tropical fish that is known to jump out of the water is the African butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi). The African butterflyfish lives near the surface and can jump out of water to capture prey or escape from predators. It also has eyes that enable it to see above and below the water’s surface. Tropical fish jumping out of water can also be due to bad water quality in the fish aquarium. Improperly cycling your aquarium can cause fish to jump out as can high concentrations of ammonia or improper pH levels. Fish do breathe oxygen, and when water is dirty, there is less oxygen in the fish tank for the fish to breathe. Lack of fish tank accessories or hiding spots can contribute to fish jumping. Other fish that are known to jump out of their tanks include comet goldfish, killifish, (which tend to jump from water puddle to water puddle in the wild), and on the saltwater side, firefish are known jumpers. Koi, the most popular pond fish, have been known to jump out of the water. If you keep fish that jump out of water, such as the hatchetfish or African butterflyfish, try and reduce this capability by adding floating plants and decorations that would inhibit their capability to gather speed to jump out. And keep your aquarium covered with a secure lid.

As any fish enthusiast knows, having a home aquarium is a rewarding experience. However, making sure your fish have the proper environment is essential to helping them not only survive, but thrive. The best fish tanks are sturdy, secure and a breeze to set up and clean. Whether you purchase a glass or acrylic tank, you’ll want an aquarium that is easy to see into as well as the appropriate size for your fish. We’ve rounded up some of Chewy’s best-selling and top-rated fish tanks to help with your shopping. These best fish aquariums are aquarist tested, rated and approved—so you can feel confident you’re purchasing the very best home for your favorite finned friends.