Symptoms:

• Loss of color
• Loss of appetite
• Clamped fins
• Lethargy
• Red sores

What is it?

Bacteria is everywhere, in your tap water, in filtered water, on your hands, in the air, etc. Occasionally there is a bacterial bloom that infects your fish. It is very similar to you getting sick from bacteria you encounter in your day.

How did it get there?

There are any number of ways bacteria got to your fish, but the most preventable ways is through fouled water from uneaten fish food or fish waste. Different bacteria will effect your fish differently.

Treatment

Do a large water change, 100% for small tanks and 70% for large filtered tanks. This will get rid of a lot of the bacteria in the water. Clean filter and remove anything that may be rotting in the water (uneaten food, waste, dead fish/plants). There are a wide variety of antibacterial medications for fish, but be aware that some of them are for gram-positive bacteria, some for gram-negative bacteria, and some for both. Since it is an internal infection, it is safer to use the broad spectrum medications. Follow the instructions for whatever medication you purchase until your fish is better. It may take more than one cycle to kick the infection.

Prevention

• By keeping your tank water as clean as you can manage and regularly removing waste and uneaten food, you reduce the chance of a bacterial bloom that may infect your fishes.