I know to look for swim bladder problems..like when the fish is crooked etc.
However, I would like to know what other warning signs there are that a fish is sick or needing help.
I'm talking about tropical fish: guppies, platy, tetras, etc.
2007-04-30 14:14:17 · 8 answers · asked by Princess Purple 7 in Pets ➔ Fish
Clamped fins (fins are held abnormally close to body)
The fish refuses its usual food for more than 2 days.
There are visible spots, lesions, or white patches on the fish.
The fish gasps at the surface of the water.
The fish floats, sinks, whirls, or swims sideways.
The fish shimmies (moves from side to side without going forward).
A normally active fish is still.
A normally still fish is very active.
The fish suddenly bloats up, and it's not due to eggs or young.
The fish is scratching against tank decorations.
2007-04-30 14:18:09 · answer #1 · answered by Mellycat123 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look for lethargy - sitting on the bottom, hanging in a corner. Some fish do this more than others depending on the species but if it seems unusual compared to others of the species it is probably sick or stressed. Also look for unusually rapid respiration, loss of appetite, pale color, white spots, unusual growths, red streaks in skin and fins, fins that are damaged, cloudy or bulging eyes, scales that appear to bulge out when viewed from above.
Look for active fish that are eating with clear eyes, good color, and undamaged fins.
2007-04-30 21:39:51 · answer #2 · answered by Rags to Riches 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swims at the top all the time. Jumps up and gulps air. Gills are going too fast. Fish looks like other fish have been eating on his gills. Has a long long black string (waste) hanging behind him.
Won't eat. Flips over on his side.
2007-04-30 21:22:04 · answer #3 · answered by kasandra k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) reddish color around the gills
2) pale coloration/markings
3) rapid breathing
4) not eating
5) sporatic behavior or sluggish behavior
6) white patches (can be fungal)
7) tiny white spots (ich)
The list goes on and on, but those are the more common ones.
2007-04-30 21:21:12 · answer #4 · answered by Ryan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This chart (first link) and following links will cover the most common symptoms (giving disease name and treatment) for freshwater fish: http://www.klsnet.com/files/fishchart.htm , http://www.fish-disease.net/diseases.htm , http://www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html . The last link shows photos of the conditions.
2007-04-30 23:54:18 · answer #5 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The one thing I can think of is ick. you will see white spots appear on the scales.This comes from the wrong temperature in the water.
2007-04-30 22:09:11 · answer #6 · answered by josh w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for spots, white spots...
2007-04-30 21:30:10 · answer #7 · answered by Stone Cold 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what she said :)
2007-04-30 21:20:43 · answer #8 · answered by The Fish Chick 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋