Causes
Diagnosing bacterial diseases and
why they occur is not always a simple, straight forward task. Bacterial
infections can stem from many causes, even combinations of contributing
causes, and can be topical (external - i.e. fin & tail rot and ulcer
diseases), systemic (internal), or both. Healthy fish have a strong, natural
resistance to bacteria and can usually fight it off on their own, but weak,
sick and/or stressed fish can be very susceptible to this illness. The
tiny open pores of the lateral line are most often the point of entry for
the onset of internal infections, but the soft tissues of the gills are
also a prime entry point. Contributing factors that can open the door to
this disease are:
- Poor environmental conditions. If conditions are poor enough, the bacteria can bloom and overrun even the healthiest of fish. White cloudy water with the presence of sores on the fish can be signs of this problem.
- A secondary infection resulting from having another disease.
- Poor nutrition.
- Injury, such as open wounds, cuts or scrapes.
- Harassment.
- Stress.
- Weakness.
- Old age.
- Introduced into the aquarium my means of a contaminated water source. Don't laugh, this happened to us once when we used tap water. The local water supply had a bacteria outbreak after allowing the chlorine levels to drop too low.
- Ingestion. Example - Fish eating the flesh of another infected fish.
The common signs can be one or a combination of the following:
- Reddened and frayed fins, or red streaks through the fins.
- Disintegration of the fins, i.e fin and tail rot.
- Redness around the area of the lateral line, often seen as streaks or blotches.
- Open sores on the sides of the body and near the fins.
- Bloody scales at the base of the fins.
- Rapid breathing.
- A grey film over the eyes.
- Listlessness or lethargy.
- Loss of appetite.
- Abdominal swelling or bloating. This is usually a sign of a bladder infection, often a common problem with Wrassesthat burrow in the substrate.
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