Fish, Amphibian and Reptile Diseases & Parasites Standard: Discuss the role of major systems of small animals. Objective: Discuss the ways that disease processes affect major body systems.

Fish Diseases

Signs and Symptoms of Disease Fish are behaving unusual/strange Fish are floating to surface, sinking to bottom, or leaning to the side of aquarium Fish’s fins are unusually laying flat against the body Fish have rolled or closed caudal fins A fish is off by itself and not swimming with the school Fish appears to be in slow motion and not keeping up with other fish

Disease Signs Fish’s breathing seem unusually faster and deeper than normal Fish at the surface gasping for air Fish are rubbing/scratching against objects in the aquarium Not interested in eating Fish belly appears caved in or unusually thin Fish belly appears bloated or swollen Color of fish has changed or unusual Fish fins appearance is frayed

Disease Signs The back and spinal column appear distorted Eyes are not clear, appear something is cloudy The fish’s scales are not normally sticking out, they lay flat against body White spots are covering body Protruding eyes Anal discharge hanging from fish

Parasites White spot (Ich) Cause: organism Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Symptoms: numerous white spots on the body and fins of stressed fish. One of the most common diseases found in aquarium fish Slime disease Cause: parasites attack skin of fish Symptoms: large amount of mucus on skin May cause death if it attacks the gills.

Parasites Hole-in-the-head Cause: organism Hexsamita live under skin in muscle tissue Symptoms: tissue break down and skin opens to make fish appear to have holes Velvet disease Cause: organism Oodinium penetrates skin cells and feed on fish Symptoms: dusty/slimy look, fish will sporadically dart from one side of tank to other

Parasites White fungus growth Cause: Fungus Symptoms: white growth around mouth, fins, eye, and gills. A secondary infection is usually present already Flukes Cause: worm-like parasite that attaches to the gills and body of fish Symptoms: Fish scratching/rubbing on rocks, lethargy, isolation at bottom of tank

Parasites Anchor worms Cause: Parasitic worm that adheres and burrows under scales to attack the muscles Symptoms: frequent rubbing, redness, tiny worms in wounds Fish lice Cause: Mite that attachs to body of fish and pierce skin to discharge a poison Symptoms: inflammation (red spots), irritation, restlessness

Bacterial disease Fin rot Cause: bacteria/fungus Symptoms: edges of the fish’s fins start to appear frayed and ragged, lose their color and the tissue between the fins breaks down

Bacterial disease Neon disease Cause: parasite Plistophora hyphessobryconis found in the fish’s body tissue where it causes the s: production of spores which are released when it dies Symptoms: Restlessness, loss of coloration, cysts, difficulty swimming, curved spine Mouth fungus Cause: bacteria Symptoms: white, fluffy material appears around the mouth and white patches on the skin

Bacterial disease Tuberculosis Cause: bacteria that invades the organs and tissues of the body Symptoms: loss of scales, loss of color, lesions on the body, wasting, and skeletal deformities such as curved spines Pseudomonas and Aeromonas Secondary bacterial infections in fish that are already sick Symptoms: swollen bellies, lesions or ulcers

Environmental Control of Disease Lack of oxygen/too much CO2 Observed when all fish are swimming near surface gulping for air Incorrect water pH Respiratory problems & excess mucus production Gravel Filtration Issues Iron sulphite buildup = black color on gravel Chemical Filtration Issues Increase in ammonia = cloudy, merky waterEnvironmental control- problems in the tank

Amphibian & Reptile Diseases

Amphibians and Reptiles Salmonella Bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans. Affects the digestive tract and causes watery, green, foul- smelling diarrhea

Amphibians and Reptiles Mouth Rot fungal disease associated with sores or open wounds in the mouth. Mites and ticks external parasites that attack amphibians and reptiles. Mites usually go undetected until there is a heavy infestation. Symptoms include: anemia, anorexia, depression, stress, listlessness, lack of appetite, and possible death.

Amphibians & Reptiles Metabolic Bone Disease abnormalities of bones caused by a nutritional deficiencies in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium or vitamin D Reversible

Treatment Thoroughly clean habitat Use appropriate chemicals in the water/food Improve diet as needed Add appropriate lighting Some fish need to be placed in a hospital tank and treated before returning to normal tank. Most treatments can be found at the local pet store

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