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Quote of the Day

"Yes'm, old friends is always best, 'less you can catch a new one that's fit to make an old one out of."

Sarah Orne Jewett








 




 
Featured Animals Articles

If You Want a Friend, Get a Dog!
Carl Icahn, the hostile takeover master who was THE original corporate raider, is often quoted as saying, "In this business, if you want a friend, get a dog!" The rest of us already knew that dog was man's best friend, and with good reason. Dogs as pets ...

Shih Tzu - Obedience Training For Your Shih Tzu
Obedience training is one of the most important and most effective things any owner can do for his or her shih tzu. A properly obedience trained shih tzu is a happy, productive and safe member of the family, while a untrained shih tzu can be destructive ...

Tips For Finding Lost Dogs
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Goldfish Diseases - How To Spot Them, Treat Them And Hopefully Prevent Them
 
Goldfish Diseases


Many small animals and fish are susceptible to diseases and once infected, have greatly shortened life spans.


A goldfish can get sick if his tank is dirty, the water and oxygen levels are too low, the temperatures are too warm or too cool and if he is not being fed properly. Even if you are an excellent and doting parent, sometimes your goldfish might get sick for reasons unknown. Prevention and early detection are the best ways to help Goldie fight the urge to float upside-down.


There are many diseases that goldfish owners should be prepared to treat. They may not be pretty and you might be a little uneasy at first when attempting to identify them, but for the sake of your goldfish take the time to learn about and become familiar with parasite identities.


Skin Flukes are tiny worms that reside in the gill area of fish, consuming the skin cells and causing the fish to itch. Fish have a tendency to rub up against hard objects in attempts to relieve the itching, resulting in red and swollen gill areas. Relief and a cure can be found at pet stores.


Anchor Worm is a contagious parasite that attaches itself to the sides, head or mouth of the fish and is contracted by the ingestion of infection live food. The worm looks like a piece a green, brown or white thread


dangling from the goldfish and can cause sore blood spots once it has entered into the flesh. Medicines are available for curing this disease.


Ich is the most common parasite that attacks fish with lowered immune systems. Introduction your fish to a new environment is enough to weaken immune systems and thus is a frequent cause of Ich in fish. Little white bumps will appear all over an infected fish, causing him to itch and gasp for air. Medication is readily available at pet stores and should be administered as soon as possible.


Tail or Fin Rot is a disease that causes damage and fraying to the fish's tail and fins, and is normally brought on by poor water conditions and high levels of ammonia and nitrites. Medication can be purchased at your local pet store.


There are plenty of different diseases, parasites and fungal infections out there just waiting to attack your poor defenseless goldfish. By monitoring and properly caring for your pet, you will improve your goldfish's chances of avoiding illness.


About the Author

Mark Sturge is webmaster of www.goldfish-answers.com. A site where you can learn all about goldfish care and the nasty goldfish diseases that can be traumatic for you and your fish.






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