Watching Out For Fin Rot In Your Goldfish Tank
Goldfish are beautiful pets to keep, and require much less care than other types of animals. When they become ill, however, care must often be given quickly in order to prevent the situation from becoming much more serious. One of the worst types of illnesses to affect goldfish are ones which affect their beauty and natural charm. Fin rot is one such illness which can cause significant damage to your fish’s magnificent fins.
What Is Fin Rot
The common misconception is that fin rot is a disease – it’s not. Fin rot is actually just a symptom of illness resulting from either a bacterial or fungal infection, with the first being the most common. With just one look at a fish suffering from fin rot you’ll understand how the condition got its name – the goldfish’s fins appear like they’re rotting away. They may be missing chunks of fin, and you may see white or red spots along the edge of the damaged areas.
How To Treat Fin Rot
Luckily, fin rot is not a deadly issue if it is treated properly. Since most cases of fin rot are caused by a buildup of bacteria in your goldfish aquarium, curing fin rot is as easy as using antibiotics. While some goldfish antibiotics need to be applied directly to the injured area, medicines for fin rot are normally added to your aquarium or quarantine tank’s water. Make sure you do large water change and redose medication while treating.
A few of the treatments for fin rot include:
How To Prevent Fin Rot From Reoccurring
In almost all situations, fin rot is an easily preventable problem. Most goldfish which develop fin rot do so because of poor water conditions. Poor water quality means that your aquarium is likely full of harmful bacteria from your goldfish’s waste, as well as rotting food. Check your water quality often, and ensure your pH, ammonia and nitrate levels are within safe ranges. Performing a large water change (click here for guide to large water change) before pollutants in your tank get out of hand can mean the difference between healthy and ill goldfish.
While fin rot is not a deadly disease, treating it as soon as a problem is noticed is important. Waiting means risking more damage to your fish’s fins and potentially more serious problems. Fin rot is most commonly caused by a bacterial infection, one which is likely acquired through poor water conditions. In addition to this malady, a number of other serious health issues can arise from having poor water in your aquarium. Keeping your water in top-notch shape is the best way to prevent fin rot and ensure the long term health of your goldfish.
