Why do fish die in an aquarium? Aquarium for Beginners

Aquarium - a great addition to the interior and the ability to get unpretentious pets that do not require special skills and attention. However, quite often beginners in this business are faced with the problem of the death of underwater inhabitants. Why do fish die in an aquarium? The answer to this question will be given by our article.

The most common mistake of newcomers is the opinion that the aquarium and fish living in it do not need additional care. This is far from the case, because these silent pets need not only periodic feeding, they need light and additional oxygen, and so on.

Why do fish die in the aquarium: the causes

1. Poisoning with nitrogen-containing substances.
2. Incorrect settlement.
3. Diseases.
4. Low / high temperature.
5. Unsuitable light in the aquarium or its absence.
6. Unsuitable water quality.
7. Lack of oxygen.
8. Aggression from neighbors.
9. Old age.

Nitrogen poisoning

Nitrogen compounds appear in the water as a result of the decay of the products of life of its inhabitants, with poor purification. Nitrites and nitrates are particularly toxic. Increasing their number is accompanied by the appearance of rotting smells, the aquarium becomes turbid. Bacteria that process the waste products in the nitrogen compounds described above, settle in the filter fillers and the soil. The solution of the problem lies in the correct water purification, constant application and washing of filters, reducing the amount of food (its residues can also decompose and poison the aquarium).

Incorrect settlement

How many fish can be kept in the aquarium? The number of inhabitants depends not only on their length and physique, but also on their behavior. In small aquariums (20-30 liters) it is better to keep small lean fish, adhering to the rule: one liter of liquid per centimeter of the length of the animal.

For schooling, aggressive and large pets, containers from a hundred or more liters are suitable. Overpopulation threatens with a shortage of oxygen and, as a result, the death of animals. An important factor for a full life of fish is the light in the aquarium.

Correct lighting

Why do fish die? In the aquarium neglect the backlight in any case impossible. Most species of fish need lighting for 10-12 hours a day, and with its shortage, they simply fall ill and die.

That's why the aquarium (for beginners these tips are especially important) it is necessary to equip with special lighting devices.

Diseases

If the fish die in the aquarium, what happened, it is necessary to find out as soon as possible. A fairly common reason for the mass plague of pets are their diseases, which are divided into infectious and non-contagious.

The cause of the first group of ailments can be infections (fungi, viruses or bacteria) and infestations (various parasites). For the treatment of such diseases, urgent use of drug therapy will be required:

• White-skinned. Called Pseudomonas Dermoalba. This microorganism enters the aquarium with new algae, inhabitants or soil. There is a disease in the form of a white coating on the back and tail of the fish. Infected individuals swim on the surface. The bacterium causes damage to the nervous system and, as a consequence, impaired coordination. Treatment consists in complete disinfection of the aquarium (including soil, plants and equipment) and the use of trays with Levomycetin for the inhabitants.
• Branhiomycosis. The cause of its occurrence - Branchiomyces demigrans (fungus), which leads to the formation of numerous blood clots in the vessels. The disease is extremely contagious, and within two to three days all the animals in the aquarium may die. It is very important to determine the diagnosis at the first signs of the onset of the disease and start treatment, which can last for ten to twelve months. Symptoms: the appearance of red-brown lines on the gills, loss of appetite, pressing the fins to the body. With the development of the disease appear pink, white, gray strips, and the gills acquire a marble color. Sick fish hide in secluded places. Branchiomycosis therapy is reduced to transplanting the sick individuals into a separate container and using solutions of copper sulfate and "Rivanol". The aquarium and inventory are disinfected, and the water is completely changed.
• Hexamycin. Called infusoria hexamite. The disease is very contagious and especially dangerous for cichlids. Treatment takes one and a half to two weeks. Symptomatology: mucous erosive ulcers appear on the body of the fish, the anal opening becomes inflamed, and the feces acquire a slimy, threadlike character. For the treatment of hexamethosis, antibiotics are used (Metronidazole, Griseofulvin, Erythromycin). Before use, the above-described agents must be dissolved in water. In the resulting solution, soak and feed.
• Gyrodactylosis. The source of this disease is the parasite-fluke Gyrodactylus, affecting the fins, gills and skin of fish. Affected individuals are on the water surface, press the fins to the body and rub against the stones and other surfaces, lose appetite. In the region of the gills and in other parts of the trunk, brownish-gray spots appear, which are signs of tissue destruction. To treat gyrodactylosis, "Bicillin" and "Azipirin" are added to the water. Infected fish are transplanted into separate containers, adding to them sodium chloride, copper sulfate, formalin or malachite green. The water temperature should be increased.
• Glucose. The cause of the disease is the fungus Microsporidia, damaging the eyes, internal organs and gills. At the same time, infected fish swim on their sides, and their body is covered with bloodstains. If the organs of vision are affected, there is a pop-eyed. Unfortunately, this disease is incurable. Infected individuals and plants are exterminated, and the ground and equipment are disinfected.
• Rot rot. Called by the Pseudomonas wand. The most often affects fish with elongated veil-shaped tails that have undergone hypothermia. At the edges of the fins grow turbid and color in a bluish tinge. During the progression of the disease, the fins rot, up to the fall of the tail in young individuals. Then the skin, muscles and blood vessels are affected, resulting in death. For treatment use trays with malachite greens, antiparas or "Bicillin".
• Dactylogyrosis. The cause of the disease is the flukes-parasite Dactylogyrus, which affects the gills of fish. In patients, the appetite disappears, and the gills change color (becoming mottled or whitish). Infected fish keep on the surface, rub against the stones and breathe actively. The fins in the gills region are glued, covered with mucus and sometimes eroded. Treatment of dactylogyrosis reduces to an increase in the temperature of water in the aquarium and the addition of solutions of formalin, table salt or "Bicillin".
• Dermatomycosis. It is caused by mold fungus, which affects the internal organs, skin and gills. Often appears again, as a complication of other diseases. In infected fish, thin white threads appear on the gills and skin, then the internal organs are affected, and death occurs. Therapy begins with the cure of the primary ailment, and then increases the immunity and applies baths with potassium permanganate, "Bicillin" and table salt.

Water quality

The main parameters of the liquid in the aquarium are: stiffness, content of harmful impurities (chlorine and others), purity and acidity level.

Tap water can only be used after it has settled for one or two days. Otherwise, pets can develop chlorine poisoning.

Too soft water provokes the occurrence of alkalosis, and a decrease in acidity - acidosis.

Temperature conditions

Why do fish die in an aquarium? Perhaps, the reason lies in the incorrectly chosen temperature regime. The most suitable water is 22-26 degrees. However, some inhabitants, for example labyrinth fish and discus - 28-30 degrees, and gold - 18-23 degrees.

Too cold water can cause colds of animals, and too warm - oxygen starvation (as the higher the temperature, the lower the oxygen content in the water).

Life time

If the fish die in the aquarium, what happened, you need to find out very quickly. Perhaps the cause of their death is old age. After all, fish, as well as other living creatures, released a certain period:

• Carpiformes. This group includes guppies, swordfish, pecilia and molenezia. Representatives of this species live only three and a half years.
• Labyrinth: cockerels, lapius, gourami - four or five years.
• Haratsinovye: tetras, neons, piranhas, minors - about seven years.
• Karpovye: barbs, telescopes, zebrafish, cardinal - from four to fifteen years.
• Cichlids: parrots, discus, severum, apistogram, cichloma - from four to fourteen years. Scalaria in the aquarium, which also belong to this group, live on average a decade.

• Somovye: tarakatumy, catfish glass and speckled - from eight to ten years.

Identifying the aging individual is simple enough: it does not float well, becomes flaccid, fins thin. Dead fish immediately removed.

Lack of oxygen

The content of this necessary component in the water depends on the temperature, the number of inhabitants, the aeration and the presence of pathological films on the surface.

Lack of oxygen can lead to asphyxia (choking) of fish. In this case, their gills open wide, and respiratory movements become more frequent and intense. The animal floats on the surface, eagerly swallowing the air. After some time the fish dies with open mouth and wide open gills. If such symptoms are found, it is necessary to find out and eliminate the cause of asphyxia: plant the inhabitants, lower the water temperature, remove the film, clean the aquarium and change water, purchase special equipment to enrich the water with oxygen.

With excess oxygen, the occurrence of gas embolism is possible.

conclusions

If fish die in an aquarium, what should they do?

1. Remove the dead individual.
2. Observe the other pets (for changes in behavior, color, etc.).
3. Check the rigging (aquarium for beginners should have: supply of oxygen, filter, thermometer and so on).
4. Check the condition of the water (determine temperature, acidity, hardness).
5. In the presence of contamination - change the water, clean the soil and equipment if necessary.
6. Adjust the light in the aquarium.
7. To set the diseased or plant the fish in overpopulation.