Common Aquarium Fish Diseases & How to Treat Them
Spot trouble early and act.
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Ich and fungus
White salt-like spots are ich (see our ich guide). Cottony white tufts are a fungal infection, usually on injured or stressed fish — treat with an antifungal and improve water quality.
Fin rot and dropsy
Ragged, receding fins are fin rot, a bacterial infection from poor water — clean water plus an antibacterial usually reverses it. A swollen body with raised scales (dropsy) is serious organ failure and often fatal; isolate and treat early.
Prevention beats cure
Most disease starts with stress from bad water, wrong parameters, or bullying. Clean water, a quarantine tank for new fish, and compatible tankmates prevent the majority of illnesses.
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FAQ
What is the most common aquarium fish disease?
Ich (white spot) is the most common and very treatable. Most diseases, though, are secondary to stress from poor water quality — fix the water first.