[LuvMyB8ta]

This is not an emergency (thank godness!), just a general question. Not even sure if this should be posted here or under Betta Care….Moderators please delete or move if in wrong section….🐠

I am confused as to the origin of infection. I realize that if a keeper lets general maintenance go, there is an increase in fish stress (ammonia etc.) and bacteria in the water, so the fish can become infected. (In addition to dying outright from ammonia or nitrite poisoning). 🥺
Also, I realize that infection can be introduced by adding new fish, plants, feeder fish etc., especially without quarantining. However….

I have read that diseases like ich, velvet, rot, and even “Fish TB” are always present in the water (or in the fish??) and only “attack” when the fish’s immune system becomes weak. Wouldn’t the chlorine in the tap water kill these parisites/bacteria/viruses/ fungi etc? 🤔Or am I misunderstanding this?
And other than “Fish TB,” I’ve never heard of a disease “lurking” in the fish’s body.
Trying to understand all this.
Fish mom= Fish Vet 🐠🥰

 

[Rose of sharon]

Hi @LuvMyB8ta,

This is just my take on things. I am by no means an expert, but I have done a lot of reading and researching about fish disease. I also have a small library that I have built up over the years, and I depend on my books a lot since web sites are wrong a lot. And what seems to happen is that others get their info from these web sites, and post that info without checking it out for accuracy. This is one of the reasons why there is so much conflicting info about diseases and illnesses.

The dechlorinator that you use in your tank will take care of the chlorine in tap water. So when you introduce fish, there should be no chlorine or chloramines after using the dechlorinator. If there is, then that would definitely cause other problems, and the fish would not live for very long. The parasites are present in most, if not all, cycled tanks, and they do only attack when a fish is stressed, ill, injured, or has a weakened immune system.

Fish TB, as I understand it, and after reading a lot of info over the past few years, is said to be introduced through either infected fish, infected fish waste, or foods that are made with infected fish. I once thought it was like a gram negative bacteria due to misleading info on the net.

And as you noted, bacterial infections can be caused by bacteria that is already in the tank....opportunistic organisms. They pounce on fish who are sick, or who have injuries, both external or internal. Fungus can set in when it grows on areas that have been damaged by bacteria. The fish's slime coat is of major importance in their health. ( By adding aquarim salt to the tank for certain problems, it makes the fish prodcue more slime, which helps with healing.)

And then there are viruses....iridovirus strains like lymphocystis, and others.....

So clean water, parameters that meet your stocking needs, little or no stress, cycled tank, and good, nutritious food are needed to keep fish healthy.

Just a few things to ponder

 

[LuvMyB8ta]

Thank you. That makes sense….😀
So much disinformation out there. 🥺

So…I think I understand….
Parasites are the disease causing organisms that are always present in cycled tank water and will attack stressed/weakened fish (eg. Ich, velvet)

Bacteria and viruses usually are introduced through adding plants, other fish, and even on fish keeping equipment or the keeper’s hands if shared between tanks or not sterlized properly.

Fungus is usually a secondary type of infection that will attack at the site of another injury/infection or a weakened/sick fish. It also seems to be always present in aquarium water.

So…. The best protection for fish is to keep them healthy and unstressed. Quarantine anything comming into the tank. Keep up water changes and keep an eye on parameters. 😀🐠🐠🐠🐠