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| PET GAZETTE | AQUATIC
IDENTIFYING AND
TREATING FISH DISEASE
Simon Strode, key account manager for Tetra UK
explains his top tips to keeping fish healthy
I
t’s inevitable that at some point
a shopper will come in to your
store with an issue relating to
the health of their fish. When
keeping living organisms,
particularly in water, health
problems can be hard to avoid. It’s important
to give fishkeepers reassurance and the advice
they need to make certain the welfare of
the fish and to make sure they can treat the
problem effectively. Fish kept in a healthy
environment rarely get ill, and if they do it’s
important to identify any underlying causes.
If the environment is not right the fish will
become stressed, causing their immune system
to weaken, and leaving them open to infection.
As a retailer, there is some simple guidance
you can give to fishkeepers, whether they are
enquiring about the health of their pond or
aquatic fish.
IDENTIFYING SIGNS OF ILLNESS
A change in the behaviour of the fish, such as
loss of appetite or sluggishness, is often the
first sign that something is wrong. In some
cases, specific symptoms may develop that
can help identify the disease, but this is not
always the case. Just like humans and other
animals, infections may be caused by a range of
fungi, parasites, bacteria, and viruses. The more
common ones can usually be treated with off-
the- shelf remedies, provided that any problems
with the environment are also corrected.
To begin with, try to identify any
underlying environmental problems. This
can be done by talking through the pond or
aquarium set up and asking questions such
as the following:
n When was the water last tested?
Waters should be checked regularly to
ensure fish are healthy. Any problems
will need to be resolved as this will help
treatment.
n What is the water temperature?
If the water is too hot or too cold it can
trigger disease. For example, cold water
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can cause stress to the fish and change
their metabolism whilst if the water is
too hot it can affect water quality and
also speed up the lifecycle of parasites
and diseases. This question is especially
important when it comes to tropical fish.
n When was the substrate and equipment
last cleaned?
Accumulated organic matter in aquarium
substrate or in the bottom of ponds can
harbour disease-causing microorganisms.
However, it’s also important to ensure
fishkeepers don’t over clean as this can
strip away the good bacteria needed for
the breakdown of waste.
n Are the fish species compatible?
Some fish feel more comfortable and safer
in shoals. However, aggressive fish will
cause stress among others and this can lead
to injuries as they try and swim away from
the aggressor such as scraping their body or
getting nipped which may lead to infection.
n Are the fish being fed a good
quality food?
A diet rich in the nutrients fish need to
thrive will help to ensure they have a
healthy immune system and also reduces
the amount of waste in the aquarium
or pond.
n Does the aquarium have plenty of
hiding places?
If fish don’t have anywhere to hide they
can become stressed which can cause
further health issues. The same also goes
for ponds. Encourage fishkeepers to
provide cover amongst plants or quieter
places so fish can escape from the others
to rest and recover.
n Are fountains and waterfalls left on
during the summer months?
It’s important to make sure water features
are left on all the time during the summer.
At night, oxygen levels are often at their
lowest, especially in warmer months,
however by leaving these running you can
help oxygenate the water.
TREATING THE PROBLEM
Once you have identified any possible
environmental problems in a customer’s
pond or aquarium that may be making
the fish unwell then you can advise on
the steps needed to restore fish health.
There are many remedies on the
market but make sure you source
products from a reputable brand and
have all relevant instructions and
ingredients on the packaging. It’s also
very important to make sure the brand
adheres to VMD (veterinary medicines
directorate) where applicable as
this makes sure their products don’t
harm animal health, public health or
the environment. COSHH (Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health) sheets
should be supplied by the manufacturer
and kept for all pond remedies so make
July 2017