| Introduction Most health problems in captive fish come from stress. If the underlying cause of the illness is not dealt with there is the likelihood that the illness will return. When in captivity, fish are much more likely to fall victim to an opportunistic infection because the stocking density in the aquarium is millions of times greater than in the wild. So any contagious disease finds things very much to its liking and has no trouble finding a new host. Fish that are kept in water which is high in Nitrates will have their immune system weakened, the same applies to fish that are fed a poor or incorrect diet. The number one cause of ill health in captive fish is poor or incorrect water quality and chemistry. For any treatment to be successful in the long term all these other issues must be addressed first. Poor or wrong water type will have a direct effect on the fishes Blood, Gills, Mucus Membranes and Osmoregulatory System and is often the cause of ill health. When suggesting possible remedies for various illnesses we will try to keep to over the counter easily available chemical compounds which have been properly manufactured to be safe and reliably effective. Although with some conditions only prescription drugs will be effective. By keeping to a good regime of - -
Regular partial water changes. -
Correct environment, pH, GH, KH and temperature. -
Correct Diet. -
Suitable companions Cruelty through ignorance is unacceptable You will very much reduce the likelihood of an illness breaking out, and if it did the fish will be in a much better position to fight it off and their chances of a full recovery will be greatly increased. Careful observation for a few minutes each day could help spot any potential problems before they arise. These are the type of things that you should be on the look out for. -
Abnormal Behaviour. -
Changes in Colour. -
Clamped Fins. -
Erratic Swimming. -
Lethargy. -
Peculiar Deportment. -
Poor Appetite. - Rapid Breathing.
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Swellings. To find the various products and information about them see our Fish Health Links Back To Breeding Tropical Fish | 
