In Practice 20: 226-243 (1998)
© 1998 British Veterinary Association

Skin disease in ornammental fish: identifying common problems

OWNERS of ornamental fish are increasingly approaching veterinary surgeons for assistance with disease diagnosis and treatment. Although some veterinarians may be unfamiliar with fish health, our training provides us with a unique understanding of disease processes and comparative medicine which can be applied directly to fish. Many cases seen in veterinary practice are those which do not appear to respond to proprietary medicines and these often require simple investigations in order to reach a diagnosis. The aims of this article are to assist in the recognition of the common skin diseases in ornamental fish and to act as a guide to disease investigation. A problem-orientated approach is used, reflecting the way in which fish diseases are generally presented in the practice situation.

Note:

The author is grateful to Edward Branson and Ewan Ferguson for reading the script and to all his fish health colleagues who have assisted him over the years. Figures 16, 17 and 21 have been reproduced with permission of The Veterinary Record and figures 2, 7, 9, 12, 15, 23, 27, 28 and 29 with permission of the Koi Health Quarterly. The Fish Veterinary Society provided financial assistance towards the cost of the illustrations.