Health

"Health" sections in aquatic sites are similar to Ministries of Health worldwide: they actually deal with disease. There is yet another similarity: in most cases people refer to them after a disease outbreak. By then, it is probably too late, at least for some fish.

Prevention is better than cure; early diagnosis is somewhere in the middle. This is the philosophy of this category. As aquarists we must always do whatever possible to ensure our fish are and remain healthy. Yet we can't eradicate the possibility of a disease outbreak in our tanks. When that happens, we'd better be prepared. There is little point in trying to find information when an infection is "on the lose" in the tank: protozoa, bacteria and other pathogens multiply incredibly fast. It is important to be able to identify the problem early and to treat it effectively. You will find some interesting articles to this effect in this category.

A word of caution: successful treatment of disease depends on a number of factors. Correct diagnosis is one of them. Other factors may include the specific tank environment, the weight, species and general condition of the fish to be treated, the stage of development of the disease and so on. If in doubt always consult a specialist vet.

Photo by George J. Reclos.