Jessie M Sanders, DVM, CertAqV When keeping aquarium fish, a lot of time and research goes into what is normal versus what is abnormal. It can be challenging to distinguish.

Tumors And Cancers  Fishes develop tumors and cancers, much like humans and other animals. However, sharks are a type of fish which never develops cancers. Symptoms and Types  Most tumors

By Jessie M Sanders, DVM, CertAqV Bony fish have a specialized organ called a swim bladder. The purpose of this organ is to contain oxygen and gases to maintain neutral

(Dactylogyrus And Gyrodactylus ) There are many types of parasites that can infect a fish’s skin. Two such microscopic parasites are Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus. These are tiny flatworms, which infect

Old Tank Syndrome in Fish     Old tank syndrome occurs in fish aquariums with high levels of ammonia and nitrite and low levels of water pH. It can be

Dactylogyrus And Neobenedinia Infections in Fish There are many parasites which can infect a fish’s gills, causing various diseases and disorders in these organs. The fish usually becomes pale and

Neobenedinia In Saltwater Fish There are many parasites which cause skin and gill damage in fish. Neobenedinia is one such parasite found in saltwater fish. A capsalid, it is much

Digestive Disorders Most digestive disorders in fishes are caused by parasite infections. However, not all parasites cause problems for fishes — some live in a symbiotic relationship with the fishes.

Nutritional Disorders Many fishes suffer from nutritional disorders because of a poor diet. Nutritional disorders are the most common reason for sickness and death in aquarium, tank or fishpond fishes.

New Tank Syndrome in Fish Similar to “old tank syndrome,” new tank syndrome is a fish disease that occurs in aquarium fish that live in water with high levels of

 Kidney Disorders There are few major kidney and urinary tract disorders seen in fishes. Of these the main kidney and urinary tract disorders are Renal Dropsy, Carp-dropsy complex, and Proliferative

Herpes Virus   Herpesvirus is not only a human virus; it can just as easily infect fishes, too. In fishes, herpesvirus infections can cause a variety of diseases, including those

Branchiomycosis in Fish   Branchiomycosis is a fungal infection; one of several serious and deadly infections that can affect a fish’s gills. This particular infection is most often due to

Gas Bubble Disease in Fish    Gas bubble disease refers to the development of gases in a fish’s bloodstream. This can occur when its aquarium or pond water is supersaturated with

Saprolegnia and Ichthyophonus Hoferi   Fungal infections in fish can cause damage to multiple body systems, such as the liver, kidney, and brain, and usually occur when the fish is

Environmental Gill Disorders in Fish Gills are special organs which allow fishes to breathe underwater. However, if a fish’s environment is not well maintained, it can develop gill disorders. Of

By Jessie M Sanders, DVM, CertAqV What is Dropsy? “Dropsy” is not an actual disease, but a physical manifestation of kidney failure in fish, where the fish’s body balloons outward

Eye Disorders In Fishes Eye disorders in fishes can be due to disease, infections, or injury. Symptoms and Types  These disorders can cause the eye(s) of the affected fish to

Pleistophora Hyphessobryconis & Broken Back Much like other animals, fishes can have bone and muscle disorders. Symptoms and Types  One such bone and muscle disorder is Broken Back Disease, which

Anemia is a heart and blood vessel condition which is recognized by the low number of red blood cells found in the animal. It can affect many types of fishes,

 Anchor Worm Infection In Fish There are many skin parasites that infect fishes. One such parasite is the anchor worm. However, despite its name, it is not a worm, but