While fish are often considered low-maintenance pets compared to dogs or cats, they can still fall ill and require proper care.
They are particularly affected by stress, which can be caused by a variety of things like travelling, poor water quality, poor nutrition temperature fluctuations and even over-feeding.
In this guide, we'll cover how to identify signs of illness, prevent disease, and explore treatment options.
Please use this as a guide only. If you think your fish are sick, please reach out to your vet or feel free to speak to your friendly local Petstock team. Find out where your nearest Petstock store is with our Store Finder.
How to care for your fish
Providing consistent, proper care for your fish will go a long way. To understand how to tend to them, you should get to know them first.
Do your research and preparation early
Learn about the fish you buy, and do your research on the species and their requirements, particularly around things like tank size, preferred water temperature, food and equipment needed.
Make sure to also observe their behaviour regularly. By doing so, you can start understanding what normal behaviour is, so you’ll know when something’s off.
Fish are very susceptible to stress, which can then weaken their immune system. To ensure you’re providing a low-stress environment for your underwater friends, all you need is regular maintenance and care. Here are some tips to start you off:
Clean and maintain your fish tank regularly
We recommend changing the water every 2 weeks (though this depends on your tank too), keeping the tank free of algae and maintaining the tank filter. For more details, check out our dedicated guide on how to clean a fish tank.
Feed your fish only what they need
Overfeeding not only dirties the water but can also cause your fish to be sick. Additionally, ensure that you’re providing a nutritious and varied diet.
Ensure your tank is big enough
Even small fish need big tanks to ensure the water conditions are stable, and of course, the more fish you have, the bigger the tank you'll need. More water means more dilution of any fish waste, keeping the environment cleaner.
Plus, a small, overcrowded tank can cause immense stress for fish as it reduces their ability to display their natural behaviours. There are different ways to create the perfect habitat for your fish, and choosing the right size tank is one of them.
Ensure your fish are compatible
If you're buying multiple species, make sure you’re buying fish that are compatible and can live peacefully with each other. Not just in terms of behaviour, but across preferred water temperature, pH levels, and food types.
Monitor and maintain water quality and temperature
You'll need to keep an eye on the tank's water temperature, especially if you have tropical fish. This is because they need warmer water temperatures than other fish. Check with your local Petstock team on the optimal temperature for your fish tank.
Make sure to test your water frequently, too. A lot of the stress associated with illness can start with incorrect water parameters. By testing regularly, you can prevent stress and illness rather than having to look for a cure.
You can also explore Petstock's range of fish tank filters and water care products to make maintenance a breeze.
How to know if your fish is sick
Your fish may be sick if you notice that they are behaving abnormally, seeming distressed, or hiding or not eating as per usual. These are symptoms of stress. First, always check on the things you can control - is the tank clean and well-maintained? Are there any aggressive fish in the tank too? Is the temperature correct? Remove whatever stressors you can find and if your fish still seems stressed, it could very well be sick.
Take a good look at your fish and try to find symptoms of diseases.
Fish can get both fungal and bacterial infections, and some of the symptoms of disease include:
- Loss of appetite, or regurgitation of food eaten previously
- Lethargy, lack of active swimming; fish that are sick may stay at the bottom of the tank for long periods of time
- Change of colours into duller shades, even grey
- Scratches, wounds, open sores that don’t seem to heal
- White patches, lumps or spots on the fish
- Tails or fins seem clumped up, stiff, even falling apart
Common fish illnesses and how to spot them
If you want to tell if your fish is sick, you can look for these symptoms:
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White Spot/Ich: Raised white spots on a fish’s skin or fins.
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Fungus: There are a couple of types of fungus, but mostly appear as fluffy white growths on the body of a fish.
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Fin Rot: Ragged or frayed fins.
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Gill Mites: Tiny critters attached to a fish’s gills
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Lice: Small critters or crab like creatures on the fish’s body
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Dropsy: Swelling on a fish’s abdomen
If you think you’ve spotted one or more of the above symptoms, we recommend you quarantine the sick fish to avoid getting the other tank mates sick. Then, if possible, take some photos of videos of the symptoms and bring them into your local Petstock store or vet to check if anything can be identified in this way.
It’s best to avoid transporting the fish as this can cause stress. However, if you are very concerned about your fish, do contact your local vet for advice.
Why is my fish sitting at the bottom of the tank?
Your fish sitting at the bottom of the tank will usually be resting. However, if the ammonia or nitrate levels are high in the tank, this can make your fish lethargic and sick. Make sure to get your water tested regularly to keep the levels in a safe range.
Similarly, if the water temperature is too low, your fish may sit at the bottom of the tank to conserve energy.
If you’d like more detailed advice on fish care, stop by your local Petstock store and chat with our friendly staff.