Many of the disorders and diseases that are known to occur in fish are the result of stress, poor water quality, overcrowding, and failure to quarantine any new or sick fish to avoid spread of disease. These factors can all be minimized by appropriate care and good hygiene. Infections caused by bacteria, protozoa, viruses, fungi, or parasites may also occur.
Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders
Fish
In an aquarium or pond, successful breeding largely depends on nutrition and environmental conditions that are sometimes very specific. In the wild, these conditions might be seasonal changes, water conditions, the amount of daylight, and the availability of specific food sources. The amount of daylight is generally less important in tropical species because hours of sunlight in tropical regions near the equator stay fairly constant year round. Temperate-water and co
Most home aquarium and pond emergencies are not truly medical in nature. They generally involve something going wrong with the aquatic environment such as a leak or an electrical problem with a heater or pump. In many cases, fast action can resolve the emergency. Make sure that all electrical items are grounded or have a circuit-breaking function along the power line. The possibility of leaks and spills, and their consequences, can also be lessened through planning a
Preventing disease is always preferable to treating it. In most cases, a comprehensive fish health management program should focus on water quality, nutrition, sanitation (maintenance and cleaning), and quarantine. Work with a knowledgeable fish veterinarian or fish keeper to establish a management program for the particular species of fish you have.
Signs of Illness
Fish show si
Once you have chosen the type of fish you want to keep, you need to learn how to set up and maintain the best possible environment to keep them healthy. Important considerations include water quality, diet, cleaning, and prevention and treatment of disease.
Providing a Home for Indoor Fish
The best thing to do when considering a home aquarium is to learn as much as possible about the various types of aquariums and species of fish. Your veterinarian, books, hobby magazines, the Internet, and your local pet store can all be good sources of information. A reputable pet store can be a great resource because experienced employees are often knowledgeable not only about setting up and maintaining home aquariums but also about local conditions (such as the cha
A home aquarium must function as an ecosystem with specific conditions that are maintained at a constant level. Proper maintenance requires water quality monitoring, water changes, filtration, removal of waste materials, and aeration. The appropriate environmental conditions must be maintained regardless of the size of the aquatic environment, from a pond containing hundreds of gallons of water to the smallest goldfish bowl.
You will
Unlike mammals, fish are cold-blooded (ectothermic). This means that they do not maintain a constant internal body temperature; instead, their temperature is greatly influenced by their environment. True fish have a backbone and fins. Most also breathe with gills and have scales that cover their bodies. It is currently believed that fish began to evolve about 480 million years ago. There are about 32,000 known species of fish.
A fish’s
Aquariums bring the beauty and wonder of the underwater world into your home. Although the average fish owner may not typically think of veterinary care for fish, aquatic medicine is becoming more mainstream, especially with the growth in popularity of the Japanese koi and Chinese fancy goldfish show industries. These show-quality fish can cost thousands of dollars, and veterinary care is common. Although a relatively small number of veterinarians throug