Goldfish Diseases and their Treatment
January 26, 2010
Like all living creatures, goldfish are subject to illness, and many of these illnesses are contagious to other fish. As with sickness in humans, some illnesses can be easily cured while others can be fatal. With both humans and goldfish, the sooner the illness is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances are that the illness will be cured. As a responsible goldfish owner, it’s critical that you recognize and understand the visual and behavioral symptoms that indicate illness in your goldfish and how best to deal with them. Many of the illnesses that afflict these normally healthy pets are caused by inadequacies in the goldfish’s immediate environment. A dirty fish tank, poor filtration, low oxygen levels, improper feeding, and unsafe water temperatures are the primary causes.
There are seven illnesses that are most commonly seen in goldfish and are reasonable easy to cure: Anchor Worm, Costia, Cotton Wool, Fin Rot (sometime called Tail Rot), Ich (pronounced IK), Trichodina, and Velvet. Each of these afflictions and recommended treatments is described below.
• Anchor Worm: A parasite that is highly infectious. It is often introduced into the aquarium by new fish. The worm itself is visible to the naked eye, appearing as a small white shaft circled by a red ring protruding from the fish. Fish with anchor worms usually rub the area against objects in an attempt to remove the parasite. The worms should be using tweezers. The wound should be treated with iodine using a cotton swab, followed by a daily application of Neosporin salve. Assume that the entire aquarium is infected, and remove the treated goldfish to a clean tank while the infected tank is cleaned.
• Costia: A parasite that attack the gills. It kills quickly and should be treated immediately upon discovery. When afflicted, the goldfish will gasp at the surface and exhibit a slimy substance around the head and the gills. There is often evidence of hemorrhaging under the chin. The proven treatment is adding a .3% salt solution to the tank every 12 hours for three applications. If the situation does not improve, seek the help of a veterinarian.
• Cotton Wool: A fungal infection affecting all freshwater fish. Often occurs to outdoor pond fish in the spring. The symptoms include white, off white, or brown wool-like patches on the fins and body. The best treatment is to move infected fish to an isolation tank. Often, a treatment of swabbing the patches with iodine cures the problem. Adding a .3% salt solution to the water has also been proven effective. If not, a veterinarian may suggest an antifungal medication.
• Fin Rot: A common bacterial infection affecting fish in freshwater aquariums. Appears to be caused by stress, rough handling, overcrowding, and poor water quality. It is recognized by the whitish edge on the fins in the area that rots away. If left untreated it can eat away the fins and continue to damage on the fish’s body. It is easily treated with a .3% salt solution added to the water for mild cases, or an antibiotic for more serious infections. Excellent water quality and uncrowded conditions can usually prevent fin rot.
• ICH: A disease to which all freshwater fish are susceptible. It is caused by a parasite that can be carried into the tank by any new addition, fish, plant, or decorative piece. It’s easily recognized by white spots, like sprinkled sugar, that covers the fish’s body. If it is found on any fish, the entire tank should be treated with a .3% salt solution. The treatment should continue until the fish have been parasite free for at least six days.
• Trichodina: This is an interesting parasite that apparently does no damage to the fish, but uses it for transportation. The parasite is usually found in crowded tanks with poor water quality. Their presence is quite irritating to the fish and causes irritated skin, reluctance to feed, lethargy, and ulcers. Infected fish will often lie at the bottom of the fish tank. The best treatment is potassium permanganate. Salt baths are also recommended.
• Velvet: This is such a pleasant name for a parasitic infestation which can infect an entire aquarium in only a few days. Usually is introduced by new fish which were inserted without a quarantine period. Affected goldfish will flash and scratch and often exhibit a thick slimy coat with yellowish patches on the skin. The usually effective salt baths seem to have no effect on this parasite, and treatment with formalin for several days is recommended.
There are many other common diseases and illnesses that can affect your goldfish. Some are not so easy to cure. If you have a problem that you can’t diagnose with confidence, see your veterinarian. Prevention is the best idea. Keep your tank clean, well aerated, with adequate plant life. Ensure that the goldfish are adequately fed with the proper foods, and avoid rapid or wide temperature changes to their environment. All these procedures, taken together, will give your goldfish a better chance to remain disease free and enjoy a care free, stress free life.
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