Diseases

Another external parasite of fish is monogenean flukes; microscopically small, flat oval segmented flatworms (Platyhelminths). They are small relatives of the planaria.

Hexamita is the common terminology used to describe many Hexamitidae Spironucleus species. Some use the term “internal parasites” to describe hexamita. There are hundreds of “internal parasites” of fish so we won’t use that terminology.

White eyes in fish: If only one eye is white it is typically a minor bacterial eye infection caused by the fish scrapping its eye or from an attack by another fish. If both eyes are white it is coming from a more serious bacterial infection inside the fish and will kill the fish rapidly.

Saddleback in Fish are flat, fuzzy, velvety white patches on the body of a fish are often seen. This is typically in a “saddle” shape on the back, thus the term “saddleback”.

This article shows different skin kinds of skin ulcers in aquarium fish. Learn how to treat these skin ulcers.

Epistylis is a disease commonly confused with Ich. It can look almost identical to ich. Epistylis is typically fuzzy and translucent while ich is clearly defined and very white. Epistylis stick out from the fish while ich only slightly protrudes from the fish.

Velvet in a aquarium fish is a very small parasite that looks like tiny spots of yellowish to golden-brown or rusty-colored varnish on the fish.

Aquarium Diseases in General: Fish die. Most fish diseases are subtle. And most diagnoses of fish diseases are “best guesses” at best.