Common Saltwater Fish Diseases

HLLE

Description: A disease brought on by poor water quality, poor nutrition, or both. The symptoms include ulcers/holes in the head area, and/or erosion of the lateral line along the dorsal side of the fish.

Treatment: As with freshwater HITH, HLLE is reversible by improving water quality and supplementing vitamins with a varied diet.

Bacterial Fin Rot

Description: A disease brought on by poor water conditions. This bacterial infection is identified by a reddening of the base of the fins and anus. Fins are often found closed, frayed, or decaying.

Treatment: It is important to diagnose the cause of the problem. Water tests could uncover this as well as evaluating current filtration, bioload, etc. It is also important to rule out physical trauma from other fish. Infected fish should be removed to a hospital tank, an antibiotic can then be administered. Synthetic Tetracycline product such as Maracyn 2 are not as effective as they once were as the bacteria become resistant. It would be more effective possibly to treat with a antibiotic containing a fruazolidone/nitrofurazone mix.

Marine Velvet

Description: A parasitic disease which symptoms are similar to that of marine Ich. Caused by the parasite Amyloodinium Ocellateum. The infected have sandpaper-like skin, with small gold/brown spots covering the body. Fish are often found scratching their bodies against various objects trying to remove the parasites. It is fairly virulent, meaning it can get out of hand and fatal pretty quickly.

Treatment: Remove infected fish to a hospital tank(preferably one for each infected fish) and treat with formalin and/or copper-based medications. As with the Ich treatment, it is best to allow the main tank to run empty for 4 weeks or more to allow the parasite to cycle to a less virulent level.

Marine ICH

Description: This common marine parasitic disease is also referred to as white spot, and is caused by the marine parasite Cryptocaryon Irritans. The symptoms usually involve granular, sand-like spots (about 1 mm in diameter). Fish are often found scratching themselves against rocks and other objects in an attempt to remove the parasite.

Treatment: There are several treatment for marine ich and the following have been proven to be successful:

1. If no invertebrates are in the tank, copper-based medications are very effective against the parasite. Treatment may be required for up to 21 days to ensure killing all the stages of the parasite.

2. Garlic treatments have also proven to be effective. Simply add garlic to the feeding regimen, there are even some garlic products specifically prepared for feed marine livestock.

3. Hyposalinity is the newest trend for dealing with Ich and other parasites. Fish are transferred into a hospital tank with a specific gravity of 1.011. Most fish except sharks and rays can tolerate this introduction without any specific acclimation. Infected fish should remain in this for about 7-10 days and then reacclimated to NSW (Normal Saltwater) at no more than a .001 increase per day. The infected fish should remain in the hospital tank for up to 4 weeks to ensure the main tank has also been eradicated of Ich. If no host is available, they will all perish without reproducing.

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