Movement and Behavior Changes:
Lack of movement, slow swimming
Check the temperature of your tank; it could be too high or too low for your species of fish. If it is
at the desired level, check for other symptoms.
Dropsy
This is a contagious disease and the affected fish should be separated from all other fish. The body
of the fish will be swollen. If caught early enough, the disease is treatable. Medication is available in
larger pet stores.
Shimmying
The fish will move from side to side without moving forward or backward. This is usually a sign of a
cold fish. Check your temperature and make sure it is where it needs to be for that species of fish.
Swim Bladder Disorder
This disorder is caused when the swim bladder of a fish becomes damaged by disease or injury. The
fish may lose it's capability to float, stay down, or stay stable, seeming to tumble instead of swim.
Since there is no one cause of this disorder, there are several treatments ranging from the changing
the diet to surgery. Here are two inexpensive suggestions : 1. Put your fish on a 2-3 day
fast. This may give the bladder time to heal or if it is cause by an impaction, it could break down
and pass. 2. As strange as it may sound, feed your fish a pea. Again, if there is an impaction, this
could help it pass. For more detailed information on this see the following article.
Tuberculosis
An affected fish is lethargic and may have some loss of color. If caught in time, the fish can be
treated with medication from your vet.
Parasitic causes:
Anchor Worm
An easily seen parasite that attaches it self to the body of the fish and causes great irritation. You will
notice your fish repeatedly rubbing against rocks and/or decoration in an attempt to remove the
parasite. Keep in mind, occasional rubbing is normal; this helps them to remove dead scales.
The parasite can be removed by applying a few drops of a semi-strong salt solution directly on
the worm.
For a more severe infestation, give a salt bath.
Prepare your salt water (2 tablespoons/gallon), put about one gallon (or more if you have an
exceptional large fish) of tank water in a clean bucket and place your fish in it as a holding tank.
Add the salt water to the holding bucket. Let fish rest under constant supervision for 5 minutes and
return fish only to tank. Add stress coat to water upon return to ease the shock.
Fish Louse
This parasite is very similar to the Anchor worm. Treatment is the same.
Flukes
These parasites will cause a very noticeable loss of color. If they reach the gills, the fish will surface
frequently for air. Rubbing may occur. Use a salt water bath to rid your fish of these parasites.