For aquarium fish, hexamitosis is a common but dangerous condition. If this disease, which is brought on by a tiny parasite, is not treated right away, it may cause serious health issues. It is imperative that fish keepers identify and treat infected fish as soon as possible because they frequently exhibit distress indicators, such as a decrease in appetite and strange swimming patterns.
Hexamitosis treatment entails a few crucial steps. Prior to anything else, it’s critical to accurately diagnose the illness, which typically calls for a detailed inspection of the fish and, on occasion, a sample analysis. Once the parasite’s presence has been established, the fish’s health can be enhanced by treating it with medication and making environmental modifications.
Preventing hexamitosis also involves feeding your fish a balanced diet and maintaining good water quality. You can lower the risk of infection and maintain the happiness and health of your aquatic pets by making sure the tank conditions are ideal and the fish are fed properly.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Identify Symptoms | Look for signs like white, hole-like lesions on the fish’s head or body. Other symptoms might include loss of appetite and abnormal swimming. |
| 2. Isolate Affected Fish | Place the sick fish in a separate quarantine tank to prevent the spread of the disease. |
| 3. Improve Water Quality | Ensure the water in the tank is clean and well-filtered. Perform regular water changes and monitor water parameters. |
| 4. Use Medication | Apply a medication specifically designed to treat hexamitosis. Follow the instructions on the label carefully. |
| 5. Support Fish Health | Feed the fish a balanced diet to help boost their immune system. Adding vitamins and supplements can also be beneficial. |
| 6. Monitor Progress | Keep a close eye on the fish and check for improvement or any adverse reactions to the treatment. |
| 7. Seek Expert Advice | If the condition persists or worsens, consult an aquarium professional or veterinarian for further guidance. |
Fish in your aquarium may be affected by the dangerous disease hexamitosis, which can cause symptoms like weight loss and lethargy. It’s critical to move swiftly and appropriately in order to treat this illness. In order to keep your fish happy and healthy, this article will walk you through the process of diagnosing hexamitosis, the available treatments, and how to stop outbreaks in the future.
- Causes
- What is dangerous?
- Symptoms
- Change in the appearance of excrement
- Loss of appetite
- The stomach swells
- Erosion
- The fins are destroyed
- Treatment
- Hyperthermic treatment
- Use of metronidazole
- Ornidazole and tenidazole
- Prevention
- Video on the topic
- How I treated hexamitosis in an aquarium in three days
- The fish got sick. How to help it? Treatment of hexamitosis in aquarium fish.
- How I treat hexamitosis
Causes
Freshwater and marine fish are susceptible to invasive infectious diseases such as spirotuberculosis (also known as hexamitosis). The single-celled diplomonads are the guilty party. The genus Spironucleus contains its diverse species. Bodomonas and Trichomonas diplomonads are also capable of causing illnesses.
Fish have parasites in their gall bladder and intestines. Spironucleosis is seen in nearly every kind of fish. They may act as carriers rather than becoming ill themselves at times. Cichlids are typically susceptible to hezcamitosis. Additionally, carp and viviparous ichthyofauna representatives are frequently impacted by the disease. The disease’s destiny includes goldfish, carp, and white cupids.
Many fish may have flagelular in their intestines, which are pathogens that cause infectious diseases. However, they frequently live in harmony with them and do not become ill. Fish can carry pathogens in their intestines for the entirety of their lives. However, in unfavorable circumstances, the illness may manifest itself.
A variety of well-balanced foods and a clean aquarium can address many issues before they even arise.
Inappropriate or repetitive feeding is one of the contributing factors. High oxidizability and an excess of nitrates in the water can cause the disease. By the way, plants suffer from this as well as fish. Deficits in certain vitamins could also be the cause. This primarily relates to the deficiency of B and C vitamins.
What is dangerous?
Fish have intestinal problems when they are ill. Digestionary problems result from this. It can occasionally be totally interrupted. The body does not absorb the necessary quantity of nutrients and microelements as a result. Consequently, connective tissue, cartilage, and bone are lost. You can frequently see erosions, abscesses, and ulcers developing. Each of them results in the skin being destroyed.
In extreme circumstances, parasites may enter the abdominal cavity and induce peritonitis. Since there is no chance of treating fish that are sick beyond a certain point, you cannot let the disease worsen.
The fish’s appearance will indicate whether or not it is ill. The skin develops holes, furrows, and ulcers of varying sizes. The pathology is also known as "hole" disease for this reason.
Symptoms
When the illness first appears, the following typical symptoms are present:
Change in the appearance of excrement
They have a mucous viscosity and are transparent-white in color. You can see the nearly undigested food being released in a different version. The fish’s anus enlarges, which is another outward sign.
Loss of appetite
Sick fish frequently refuse food or eat it very reluctantly. The fish swallows the food, but it spits it out. This suggests that the body is experiencing major issues. Appetite returns to normal with adequate therapy. This is more noticeable in young animals.
The stomach swells
However, this symptom is not on the required signs list. Other factors, such as overeating, can also cause the stomach to grow. At times, this symptom doesn’t exist at all.
Erosion
Initially, a darkening of the body’s lateral lines is observed. On the skin, holes and ulcers develop. Abscesses can be quite large and have a frightening appearance. Sick fish have fistulas and tubercles all over their heads. The deterioration of cartilage tissue is the cause of this. It’s critical that the holes and ulcers on a sick fish’s head serve as a distinguishing feature. Lifelong scars and dents are still present on the fish’s head even after effective treatment.
The fins are destroyed
The fin’s edge appears to melt. Treating it differently is pointless. Fighting the disease’s underlying cause is essential. The fins will totally vanish if treatment is not received.
Fish that have the disease exhibit behavioral changes. It looks for a quiet place to hide. The eyes develop a white coating that impairs vision. There is a noticeable imbalance in the fish’s movements. She either ascends to the top and then descends.
The symptoms do not appear in a logical order. Certain signs might not exist at all.
Treatment
It is challenging to arrive at an accurate diagnosis due to the variety and ambiguity of symptoms. Indeed, the most noticeable symptom is the existence of holes in the head. However, they don’t show up right away. By this point, the illness has advanced significantly.
The clinical picture resembles that of mycobacteriosis and a few other diseases.
Antiprotozoal medications are used to treat this parasitic infection. The effectiveness of antibiotics as a treatment is inadequate. Many drugs are taken, and they work pretty well to fight the illness. The catalyst that caused this issue will determine the therapy’s approach and methodology.
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The available techniques for treatment include the following:
Hyperthermic treatment
If the right heating apparatus is available, the water’s temperature is raised. Use a small container to hold the sick fish while it receives treatment. Up to 8–10 degrees above average is the maximum temperature increase, but only under smooth rising conditions. The use of this technique is fairly common among aquarium owners.
Use of metronidazole
Practice has shown this medication to be effective. Metronidazole is a medication that is classified as antiprotozoal. It doesn’t include any materials that harm the environment. A dose of 500 mg per 70 liters of water is the maximum. The medicine is taken for four days. Its use ought to be stopped if it proves to be ineffective. The medication typically starts to work within the first week. You can mix the medication with other medications and techniques.
Ornidazole and tenidazole
The medications show promise in combating gram-negative microbial flora. arrangements that function according to the same mechanism but with varying rates of impact. 200 liters of water should be mixed with two 500 mg ornidazole tablets. Tenidazole (1 g) should be added to the same amount of water. For treatment, utilize a settling tank. The medication is taken three times, one day apart. Treatment usually consists of two or three cycles.
Treatment for hyperthermia can be combined with the medications.
Other medications are also used in therapy. Tetracycline and furazolidone are used in combination. Ciprofloxacin therapy exhibits good efficacy. Fifty litres of water are used to dilute five grams of the drug.
Vitamins and medications for fish therapy are always available in specialty shops.
Prevention
Quarantine measures are justified in most cases. Fish that are sick are kept in settling tanks. Preventive measures need to be taken into consideration. Fish should be fed medicinal food occasionally, such as spirulina, kanamycin, and furazolidone. The amount of nitrates in the water must be regularly checked. The aquarium’s aerator and filter ought to be operating continuously. Disinfecting live food, soil, and vegetation is essential.
The fish’s diet must be as varied as possible, and the water’s hydrochemical parameters must be regularly observed.
The fish’s head will always have scars from hexamitosis, but if the animal can be saved, is that really too much to ask?
Fish that have hexamitosis are particularly vulnerable because it can seriously impair their health. Knowledgeable preventive measures can help avert the disease.
Aquarium fish suffering from hexamitosis may find it difficult to manage, but with the correct care, it is manageable. Early diagnosis is essential because it enables prompt treatment and stops the illness from getting worse. Keeping a close eye on your fish and their surroundings will help you identify any symptoms of illness before they get worse.
Treatment for hexamitosis requires careful adherence to the recommended course of action. When used properly, medication and water condition modifications can be highly beneficial. To guarantee the best outcomes, always adhere to the directions on the product label or those given by your veterinarian.
Keeping the aquarium environment clean and healthy is also crucial to averting further outbreaks. Maintaining adequate filtration, avoiding overcrowding, and doing routine water changes can all help keep your fish healthy and lower their risk of illness. You can make sure that your aquarium is a healthy, vibrant home for your fish by being watchful and proactive.
