These data sheets are published to further propagate knowledge about fishes, inverts and the keeping of them successfully. I do hope that you will find them informative and useful.
The tables below should provide directs links to whatever subject you are interested in. It is planned to increase these as time allows, but if there is a particular species or subject you wish to learn more about then please e-mail me.
click here for fishydod@yahoo.com

A happy fish is a healthy fish is not a bad rule to follow. This means provision of the right environment with plenty of refuges available, suitable companions to avoid stress and quarrels, the right type of food in sufficient quantities without overfeeding and the finest of water parameters you can furnish with frequent water changes to mimic the ocean washing the reef clear of pollutants. Couple this to water guidelines on temperature, salinity, pH and so on set at slightly BELOW the majority of recommendations.
Add to this, quarantine of all new fish for a period of some three weeks. Quite a number of retailers miss out on this desirable action and also perhaps that old fashioned but effective trick of a fresh water dip.
These precautions will minimise outbreaks of disease as similar to humans, the skin and tissue abound with bacteria.
Even so, sooner or later trouble will occur and the vital and most important insurance is observation. By frequent checking at an absolute minimum, daily, any sudden change in habit or behaviour can be seen and the cause ascertained. Most conditions start with loss of appetite and or increased respiration the normal rate being between 80 and 110 gill movements per minute. Assuming the environment is not to blame, and it frequently is I should add, then we need to examine the fish in more detail. To enable this to be efficient one should be familiar with the anatomy and physiology of ones stock. The following illustrations highlights some of the surface anatomical features.

Apart from the safeguards previously mentioned to avoid outbreaks of disease the avoidance of transmitting disease spores to healthy fish is paramount. To further this an isolation tank is required. If you do not have a seperate facilty for this then one could use a large jar such as used for keeping sweets and set up as a mini tank solely for treatment and quarantine. It can even be kept within the main tank.
The fresh water treatment I mentioned earlier is I believe one of the most simple yet effective preventative measures. The marine fish is placed in a container of fresh e.g. not salty water, and immersed herein for a period of three to ten minutes. During immersion continuous observation is advised and if the fish shows any signs of distress the treatment should be discontinued. Note however that the subject will experience some discomfort anyway.
The temperature of the dip should be several degress higher than the water from which the fish was originally in.
The change in pH, of temperature and most importantly the salinity is frequently enough to destroy parasites and bacteria. As this is achieved minus the use of chemicals it has my support. All my new arrivals are given this treatment as a matter of routine.

CRYPTOCARYON IRRITANS (ICH)
CAUSE
A very virulent protozoan attacking the skin and gill areas in particular, caused by a parasite from the genus Ichthyopthirus multifilis and in freshwater, Cryptocaryon irritans in salt water. Should the protzoa enter and take hold within the muscle tissue then treatment is problematical.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Respitatory difficulty and or loss of appetite if untreated will ensure a fatal outcome. Manifest as small white spots similar to a dusting of salt grains about 1mm accross.
TREATMENT
Isolation first and foremost, raise temperature to 80oF {36oC} and treat with copper baths, that is copper sulpahte at 0.15 parts per million or ppm used frequently over a two week period. The bath may be combined with methylene blue. If successful the parasite may be seen on the floor of the treatment tank, enclosed in its membrane. If the parasite cannot find a host within 24 hours they die. By removing all fish from the affected tank for this period ensures that no further infection remains. New water and UVL treatment may also prevent recurrence.n
Sometimes a freshwater dip can effect a cure.
This is probably the most common disorder found in marine tanks.

ICHTHYOPONUS
CAUSE
Althoug not widespread this parasite attackes the internal organs with fatal results.
SIGNS & SYMPTONS
Appetite is lost, emaciation follows, loss of colour and fungal growths are seen on affected areas. Exopthalmus that is protrusion of the eys may also be witnessed.
TREATMENT
Has responded to antibiotics but only in the early stages and feeding with vitamin supplements mnay prevent assist in avoiding an outbreak. There are various anti fungal treatments available. A classic example of the need to quarantine all new stock.

LYMPHOCYTISIS {CAULIFLOWER DISEASE}
CAUSE
A common condition particularly in fish from the Caribbean region, the causarive factor being a virus.
SIGN & SYMPTONS
Creamy white growths on the body resemble miniature cauliflower florets, hence the common name and measuring from 1 to 2 mm in size. these are called dermal papilloma.
TREATMENT
Immediate isolation and kept there until treatment has worked. Then a further seven days to ensure it has been erradicated totally.
The cysts or papilloma can be cut away using a scalpel and the affected areas treated with acriflavine but there is no known cure and we are to a great extent dependent on the natural immune system of the fish itself which is enhanced by excellent feeding and perfect water parameters.

MONOGENIA
CAUSE
There are well over 100 different species of this worm or technically 'monogenic flukes', all of which can affect fish and are characterised by hooks with which they attatch to a host.
SIGNS & SYMPTONS
Increased respiration accomanoied by rubbing or flicking off a solid object. On examination, the gills show small white dots. Discoloured gill membranes may be noticed, coupled with excess mucous and fish go off their food and lie motionless or gasp at the surface of the water.
TREATMENT
Isolation first and foremost to prevent spreading. There are various commercial treatments available which have been used with success as can baths such as formalin and potassium permanganate. Formalin at 100ml per 100 litres or one grain of potassium at 0.25%.
Improvement of general water quality can affect a cure if carried out in the early stages.

OODINIUM OCELLATUM {MARINE VELVET}
CAUSE
Perhaps the most common disorder found in tropical fish and caused by a parasitic infection. The parasite being a dinoflagellate or protzoan. Often referred to as velvet or coralfish disease and in marines 'Amyloodium'. This protozoa can grow up to 1mm in size and this condition is liable to flare up at any time particularly in a stress situation when the natural immunity is lessened.
SIGN & SYMPTONS
The fish loses all interest in food and become quite lethargic as if finding any movement a bother. Increased respiration which is due to the parasite attatching itself to the gill although it can and does affect the skin surface also. Loss of balance is another sign and if untreated then death will ensue. Flicking or rubbing against a solid surface in an attempt to dislodge the parasite is also seen. Small pin head sized spots appear on the body giving a peppered appearance. In the terminal stages a fish will sink to the bottom and lie on its side. Ulcers may sometimes may appear on the scales.
In many ways the condition resembles whitespot and it can be difficult to differentiate between the two. However treatment is virtually the same.
TREATMENT
Isolation until the outcome has been determined, taking care that water parameters are equal. Then try a fresh/salt water bath and most fish can tolerate this for up to 15 minutes observing for overt signs of distress all the time.
Copper treatments may be effective but should be used in strict accordance with the instructions. or you can see your local vet and request some Quinicrine Hydrochloride used at 6mg per gallon. Two treatments being required at two day intervals.

FIN and BODY ROT
CAUSE
This somewhat generic term covers the condition that is manifest in the signs that appear and is caused by Bacteria.
SIGN & SYMPTONS
The fins. mouth, eyes and body tissue show a fungal growth, white, fuzzy, similar to cotton wool and almost always associated with loss of appetite.
TREATMENT
Remove gently with a spatulae as much of the fungus as is possible and paint the area with acriflavine or gentian violet. Naturally isolation will be implemented and maintained for a further seven days after all sign have disappeared. Treat host tank with water changes and if possible UVL to prevent further outbreaks and tighen up on water quality.

HEAD and LATERAL LINE DISEASE
Well kn own to discus keepers this condition manifests as holes or pits along the head and lateral line. Often seen where environmental conbditions are below par but the actual causative factor if as yet unknown. The only course is vast improvement to water quality and diet with vitamin supplements. If this fails then the fish should be disposed of or at the very least NEVER used for breeding.
In Seascape, Volume 12, 1955, Steve Collins of the Indianopolis Zoo-Aquarium reported that HLLD showed much improvement via the addition of Vitamin A to the diet and after much experimentatiion with various green supplements he eventually settled mon brocolli as the supplemental food to provide sufficient vitamin A.

POISONING
Obviously not a disease as such but nevertheless can have fatal results. This state can affect tank inhabitants quicker than any other and is likely caused by a polluted environment from such things contaminated incoming water, paint fumes, smoke, nicotine getting into the air supply or from unclean hands. Stock must be removed to a pollution free environment as quickly as possible untikl the cause has been ascertained and steps taken to prevent its recurrence.

SHOCK
Frequently seen in newly purchased stock when they are placed in their new home and it can be fatal if ignored. Manifest as increased respiration, folded fins, loss of colr and the fish looking totally dejected. The affected fish will often dash about wildly when disturbed.
Treatment is preventative by using proper introduction techniques. However the sad fact here being that many fish have become truamatised by catching techniques, faulty carriage, or simply it is unhappy with its new home for example being bullied by other occupants.

YOU are Visitor