Diseased Fish (Pictures)

beth · Jul 24, 2004

A picture is worth 1000 words so here we have a collection of pictures of fish with diseases.

Pictures here are largely posted and contributed by members of this forum. Contributions from fellow hobbyists will go towards helping other aquarists who can not post pictures or identify the ailment of their sick fish. If anyone prefers not to have their fish's picture posted here, please just let me know through this site's private messaging system.

Thank you for your contribution to this hobby!
Quick Clicks below:
Aggression
Bacterial Infections
Black Ich
Brooklynella
Goiter: Sharks and Stingrays
Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
Hyper-Melaninization
Ich-Cryptocaryon irritans
Lymphocystis
Pop-Eye Infection
Stress

beth · Jul 24, 2004

Brooklynella is a parasite seen most frequently in clownfish, so it is frequently called "clownfish disease"; however, other fish are certainly susceptible to this parasite. The most effective treatment is formalin bathes. The procedure is discussed in detail here:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/c/index.php/articles/content/formalin-bath.102

beth · Jul 24, 2004

Hyper--Melaninization: Clownfish with dark pigmentation resulting from a reaction to stings from a coral or anemone. This usually poses no notable problem to the clownfish other than cosmetic.

The melanin [pigment] darkens as it reacts to the nematocysts (sting cells) of the anemone or coral. Seen in clownfish because they typical seek a host by these animals.

beth · Jul 24, 2004

White ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) is a parasite infection commonly and safely treated using hyposalinity or copper. Cupramine is the most stable copper product. It requires a compatible copper test kit. Hyposalinity is equally as effective and does not expose fish to toxic parasitic medications.

This hippo tang is compromised with cryptocaryon irritans, popeye, and severe Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)

beth · Jul 25, 2004

Lymphocystis is a viral infection.

beth · Nov 18, 2004

Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
Classic signs on these tangs with the erosion occurring along the face/eye and the lateral line of the fish.

This yellow tang is suffering from:
-HLLE [the eroded skin]
-A bacterial infection [the red and bloody blood vessels]
-Malnutrition/emaciation [the sunken abdomen and rips]

Another yellow tang, severe HLLE and malnutrition/emaciation:

HLLE around the eyes, gills face area. Otherwise yellow tang appears to have good body condition

Lionfish with HLLE. Harder to detect because of the fish's natural markings

Hippo tang pretty bad in the face.

beth · Dec 5, 2004

Black ich is a parasite that presents on the surface of fish and appears as if the fish is sprinkled with pepper. It is not related at all to the parasite white ich, more commonly referred to as "ich". Solid color fish makes the parasite more visible but it can be seen on nay fish. The treatment is detailed here: https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/c/index.php/articles/content/formalin-bath.102

beth · Dec 5, 2004

The lawnmower blenny has a specialized algae diet. Hobbyists frequently get lawnmowers to address Filamentous Algae [nuisance problem] in their aquaria. After a few weeks when the lawnmower blenny has eaten all of the problem algae, there will be no more food and he will slowly starve, as in this specimen.

beth · Dec 8, 2004

Bacterial Infections: Yellow tangs with obvious bacterial infections. Note, red, and inflamed areas beginning along the body above the anal fin, encompassing the rear end of the body and spreading to the dorsal area. Typical vulnerable spots along the lateral line in tangs. Even the area above the eye and around the gills are showing symptoms. Sometimes this type of infection will appear as red streaks or splotches that look like hemorrhage beneath the skin of the fish.

Butterfly, also with a bacterial infection.

beth · May 5, 2005

Pop-Eye or bulged eye can be caused by several stresses: injury to the eye and bacterial infections are the primary culprits. Oftentimes, netting a fish can cause popeye from direct injury with the net, or because of bacteria on the net itself. When at all possible, avoid using nets, and always keep fish in water. If you are going to use a net, however, sterilize it before use and place some slime coat on it just before you capture the fish.