How to Make a First Aid Kit for Fish

Aquarium setups, whether small, large, freshwater or saltwater, are expensive and time consuming to take care of. However, fish can make a lovely addition to your home, and studies have proven that fish provide comfort and relaxation. It can be hard to find a vet who treats fish, so it is important to have a good first aid kit on-hand in case something should go wrong with your fish.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A separate aquarium (set up and ready to use)
• Water chemical test
• Freshwater or marine aquarium salt
• De-chlorinator
• Anti-bacterial medication
• Parasite control (both internal and external)
• Vitamins

1. There are many signs and symptoms that something might not be right with your fish. Look daily for things like color loss, swimming upside down or on one side, cottony-looking growths on fins, wounds or anything of that sort. The very first thing to do if you notice something like this is to remove the infected fish to a separate location. Have a spare aquarium ready. It does not have to be running all the time, but you should have one out with everything you need just in case.
2. After removing the sick fish, determine the cause of the problem. If you believe you have an aggressive fish or a sharp decoration in the tank, you may have to remove the object or keep the aggressive fish separate. If neither of these are the problem, you will have to test the water for its chemical balance. There should be no ammonia or nitrates in the water and the pH balance should be between 6.8 and 8.0 for freshwater tanks and over 8.3 for saltwater. If the test shows an imbalance, change 30 to 50 percent of the water in the tank and treat it accordingly. If the test shows too much chlorine or an improper pH balance, use a de-chlorinator or whatever salt is used for your specific tank (if needed).
3. If you notice signs of a bacterial infection (such as fin or mouth rot, pale color, or lethargy) treat the tank with an anti-bacterial medication that is tailored to your type of tank and fish.
4. If you notice signs of parasites (such as a cotton like growth anywhere on the body, red bumps or worm-like creatures hanging on the fish) treat them with parasite control. Cotton like growths are commonly known as Ich and there is a special treatment for it aside from other parasite medications.
5. Fish should regularly be given vitamins to maintain health and prevent illness. Do not stop giving these unless the medicine directs you to. If you have not started giving vitamins prior to the illness, you may start doing it to help recovery.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a good book on your particular type of aquarium setup or breed of fish. They usually have great information specifically on your tank with helpful tips and reminders.