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FRESHWATER
Illnesses of Community Fish
Fish in community aquariums occasionally suffer
from illnesses. These are most commonly started by
adverse water conditions due to lack of
maintenance or malfunctioning equipment.
Overfeeding can also create a serious health risk
for fish. Diseases can be put into four broad
categories.
- TOXINS such as chlorine, chloramine,
ammonia, nitrite or other poisons.
- PARASITES often attack weakened or stressed
fish.
- FUNGUS is often the result of wounds or
dirty water.
- BACTERIA can attack internal organs, gill
and fins.
Failure to remove chlorine and chloramine from
water is a great killer of tropical fish. It is a
major reason fish die in newly established
aquariums. Chlorine oxidizes gills, denying oxygen
to the blood. Symptoms are immediate: fish gasp
near the top, or spin and swim erratically. Later
thy move lethargically before they die. Use Fin
Care immediately to alleviate symptoms. There will
be some gill damage that may inhibit growth later.
It is best that this toxin be removed before the
water is put in the aquarium.
The second most common cause of death - ammonia
and nitrite poisoning - shows similar symptoms,
but new water is not the cause. If nitrite or
ammonia is present, do a partial water change to
dilute the poison and add Cycle Biological Filter
Supplement to provide the necessary bacteria to
remove these toxins. Cycle should be added
regularly to ensure that ammonia and nitrite are
continually controlled.
When fish undergo stressful netting, broad
temperature fluctuations or dirty water, the
natural slime coating protecting the scales may be
removed or weakened. This allows parasites to
attack. Most diseases, whether parasitic, fungal
or bacterial, begin when water conditions are not
the best or the environment stresses fish. Ich (or
white spot) often occurs after new fish are added,
due to transportation stress or rapid temperature
fluctuations. Fungus is often a secondary result
of overfeeding, poor water quality and lack of
maintenance.
Disease prevention is one of the most important
reasons for regular aquarium maintenance and water
changes - instead of simple replacement of
evaporated water when the level becomes low.
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Decorations
It is best to purchase decorations from a
specialty pet store to ensure safety. Driftwood
and river rocks found in the wild can only be used
after disinfecting and a thorough rinsing to
prevent introduction of parasites, diseases or
pollutants. It is much safer to obtain your
decorations from a reliable pet dealer.
There are numerous ornaments and plant replicas
available to decorate your aquarium. Hagen ceramic
ornaments are made from safe, non-toxic materials
that provide lots of essential hiding places for
aquatic life. Your local pet store can provide an
extensive selection of Hagen polyester, plastic
and earthenware decorations to add variety to any
aquarium.
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Backgrounds
Marina Backgrounds are available in a variety
of attractive, continuous scenes that provide
stunning vibrancy to aquariums and help create the
look you are trying to achieve. Often, unsightly
cords and filter boxes can be disguised with an
aquarium background. Marina Backgrounds are sturdy
and constructed of washable plastic for long wear.
Available in 12", 18" and 24"
heights to fit any aquarium, they are easy to
size, cut and install.
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Oxygenation
Carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is
replenished only at the water surface. Water
movement at the surface of the aquarium achieves
this. Surface agitation breaks the surface tension
and brings more water molecules into contact with
the air. Oxygen can only enter the water, and
carbon dioxide by released, at the interface
between atmosphere and water surface. The greater
the water surface. The greater the agitation
(within reason), the more efficient the exchange
and the higher saturation of oxygen.
Although airstones do break surface water
tension, they are much less efficient and
effective at oxygenation than power filters which
generally move and expose a much larger
water-to-air ratio.
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