Health

Do fish need to see the veterinarian? The answer is simple – YES! Fish are sentient beings with feelings and emotions. It is essential that as responsible guardians, we do everything we can to ensure that they do not suffer.

Veterinarians that specialise in fish can help your fish live happy and healthy for longer. They’re experts when it comes to our scaly, water dwelling friends, so it is of the utmost importance to talk to them and follow their advice if anything is ever wrong with your fish.

Fish are intelligent and curious animals, each with their own personality. Some are chilled out, relaxed, and less active than other fish but healthy fish are always responsive, moderately active, and inquisitive. If your fish is behaving differently than normal, they may be sick or stressed. You should seek advice and proper medical care from a veterinarian that specialises in fish.?

A huge part of keeping your fish healthy is a clean environment and healthy diet. A lot of the time when fish are sick, it’s because of a poorly kept aquarium and/or an improper diet.

In regards to their environment, fish need water to survive. Incorrect levels of chemicals, lack of oxygen, inappropriate temperature, etc. will all make your fish sick. Filtration and a cleaning schedule are vital for the health of your fish.

It’s also key to make sure that you learn as much about your species of fish as possible. Knowing what your fish needs and how they usually behave will help you to provide them with the best possible life. Fish have a harder time than other animals communicating when they are feeling ill – it is up to you as a responsible guardian to do your research and keep an eye on them. 

Fish deserve to live long, happy, and healthy lives. Below are a few ways in which you can tell if your fish is healthy:

• Swimming actively
• Healthy appetite
• Clear, colourful scales, showing no injury or fungal growth
• Intact fins that are held upright and away from the body (not drooping or folded)
• Bright, clear eyes
• Regular gill movement (fish continuously gulping at the surface of the water is a sign of lack of oxygen or poor water quality)
• Clean bottom (no stringy poop)
• Living in clear, odourless water

Some disease and health issues that fish can get are:

• Oxygen starvation: Gasping at the water surface. 
• White Spot – symptoms include white spots, especially on fins, gasping, flicking, fast breathing.  
• Bacterial Infections – symptoms include white patches, red spots, ragged fins (fin rot)
• Dropsy – symptoms include swollen stomach, scales sticking out
• Swim Bladder Disorder – symptoms include floating to the surface, floating upside down, sitting on the bottom of tank, hanging in unusual positions, unable to swim down
• Fungus – symptoms include growth on scales and fins that looks like white cotton wool (if around the mouth then likely a different condition known as 'Mouth fungus'). 

Additional signs of an unhealthy fish are:

• Pale/grey patches on scales
• Stiff/falling apart fins
• Sores
• Swollen eyes
• Foggy/milky looking eye(s)
• Lethargy (extreme tiredness)
• Hiding
• Unresponsive
• Sticking out scales
• Lumps and spots on the body.

If your fish are showing any of these symptoms, talk to your fish specialist veterinarian immediately.