Diseases

A very common disease of small cichlids and sometimes other types of fish is the appearance of small white spots, like fluffy pimples, on both sides of the fish’s head. This is called “canal neuromast inflammation” or “CNI”.

Many people consider hexamita as not only the primary cause of hole-in-the-head syndrome but also the name of the disease. This is simply incorrect.

Many times, fish keepers get a pathogen in their aquarium which defies diagnosis. They are doing everything right and fish are still dying. This is best treated with what is known as a shotgun approach.

This article goes over some of the basics for medications. Fish disease can move fast, very fast!

Diseases are generally not a problem in aquariums that have over-filtered, crystal-clear, bacteria-free water. The Key to Good Fish Health is Clean, Bacteria Free Water Note this does not mean water which is changed frequently.  The idea that water changes create good health is a myth. The idea that water that has “good water parameters” […]

Gas Bubble Disease is where many gas bubbles form in a fish and literally cause the fish to get the “bends”

Black Head Syndrome or Black Splodge Syndrome is very disconcerting to the fish owner but typically relatively harmless to the fish.

Black Death, also called “Discus Plague”, is where the fish turns very dark, almost black. The fish will typically (but not always!) exhibit slime coat syndrome, where the mucus on the skin of the fish becomes thick and sloughs off.

Fish not eating can have many causes. This article describes several causes and treatments.

Scaly Skin on a Fish: Fish are often described as having scaly burnt skin. This condition is generally due to the local water municipality doing a “chlorine pulse”.