FISH DISEASES: CHANGES IN COLOR
 

Changes in Fish Color

Symptoms

  

Cause

  

Treatment and Links
A).  The fish's colors fade, they appear light Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart Is the lighting too bright? Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart Provide shady spots in the aquarium.
If not, look down the chart further   If not, look down the chart further    
    Is the chemical composition of the water suitable for the fish?  Could the pH be wrong? Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart Do a partial water change and monitor the pH with a chemical test kit or a pH pen.
If not, look down the chart further    
Was any medication, fertilizer or other substance added to the water? Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart Observe the fish, change the water if their condition deteriorates.
If not, look down the chart further    
Have the fish been fed strictly with the same feed for long periods?  Is the food old or stale? Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart This can lead to deficiency symptoms, try to vary the diet as much as possible.
The coloration of a fish often reflects it's state of health.  Pay attention to hygiene, water quality and diet.
B).   The mouth parts of one or more fish take on a color ranging from reddish to deep red Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart These are harmless hemorrhages that often occur after intensive cleaning of the spawning site or after mouth fights. Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart Normally, no treatment is necessary.  In severe cases, isolate the fish in a quarantine tank and treat with Methylene Blue or Forma-Green.
If not, look down the chart further  
C).   Does the whole body turn black?   The fish may have a thyroid tumor   See Physical Changes page, Part B).
If not, look down the chart further  
D).   The skin of the fish turns deep black in closely adjacent areas.  These areas thicken and the scales stand out   The fish is affected with Melanosarcoma, a malignant growth Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart No suitable treatment known.  Sacrifice the fish humanely.
If not, look down the chart further   If not, look down the chart further    
E).  One or more of the fish are continually dark, ranging to black.  They stand apart from the others and do not feed anymore.  A slight bloating is often apparent Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart The fish are probably affected with a flagellate infection of the gut Fish Behavioral Disorders Flow Chart Treat with Metronidazole -or- Paracide-D.
 

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