| All creatures can suffer from disease every now | | | | gallon in this bucket, and do this every after two |
| and then, and is very much applicable to aquarium | | | | minutes five times. After that, transfer it to the |
| freshwater fish. If you see any abnormalities in | | | | next bucket and add another three- eights |
| the behavior and appearance of your fish, it is | | | | teaspoon of salt per gallon after 15 minutes let |
| wise to isolate it immediately from the aquarium | | | | the fish stay there for at least half an hour. Make |
| to prevent an outbreak from occurring that could | | | | sure the containers are well aerated. Salt |
| be fatal to other fish present in your aquarium. | | | | treatment is not appropriate for all fish especially |
| Following a few procedures will also help in treating | | | | fish without scales. |
| a sick fish. | | | | It is now time to introduce the fish to the hospital |
| After observing that there is something wrong | | | | tank. Continue observing the fish while treating the |
| with your aquarium freshwater fish, verify that | | | | water appropriately, and quarantine it for a |
| the environment in your fish tank is in good | | | | minimum of ten days. Apply any form of |
| condition. Some things you can do is check the pH | | | | treatment accordingly based on your diagnosis. |
| and ammonia levels of the water, verify that all | | | | When the aquarium freshwater fish is back to |
| equipment is turned on and working properly, | | | | health and is ready to return to the original |
| monitor other fish for aggressive behavior, and | | | | aquarium, disinfect the hospital tank by adding a |
| look for any abnormalities on the exterior of your | | | | dilute solution of hydrochloric acid in it and letting it |
| fish. If there are definite abnormalities such as | | | | stand for at least two days. After that, clean the |
| lesions or a fungal infection (e.g. ich), quarantine | | | | tank and again set it up with proper filtration and |
| the ailing fish in a hospital tank. | | | | aeration. This way, the next sick fish will be ready |
| The hospital tank is simply a tank without live | | | | for quarantining inside the hospital tank. Many |
| plants and no substrate on the bottom, although | | | | freshwater aquarium enthusiasts do not use |
| there are variations for how to set up a hospital | | | | hospital tanks, and sometimes treat their entire |
| tank. It also has a smaller filter system and has a | | | | tank for disease. This might work in some |
| working heater and an air stone. It should have | | | | situations, but be cautious of side effects. |
| dim lights and should be placed inside a dark room. | | | | The hospital tank is not only for sick and ailing fish. |
| Water conditions in the hospital tank should be | | | | Newly bought aquarium freshwater fish can be |
| similar to the tank where the fish is coming from. | | | | placed here first before introducing them into the |
| Transferring the fish requires the hospital tank to | | | | main aquarium. However, reputable aquarium |
| be ready as well as two buckets of water with at | | | | shops do this when they receive their fish from a |
| least two and a half gallons of water in them. Do | | | | wholesaler or distributor. This way, you can |
| not forget to make the water similar to the | | | | prevent the older fish from contracting diseases |
| water from the tank. Scoop the fish with a net | | | | that might be present with the new fish. If a sick |
| and place it inside the first bucket. Add | | | | fish remains in your freshwater aquarium, it can |
| three-eights a teaspoon of non-iodized salt per | | | | spread its disease and kill all of your fish. |