Six common Arowana ailments

Whenever a fish is plucked from its natural habitat and placed in an artificial environment like a tank, the fish will suffer from some stress and shock. In such a state, the fish is more susceptible to diseases. Bad water quality management and change in food will also put the fish at the risk of succumbing to diseases. Rather than curing a sick fish, it is easier to manage the above stated factors to reduce the level of stress for the fish.

Arowana is sturdier than most fish but factors like

     - bad/spoilt food
     - sudden change in temperature
     - low oxygen level and
     - bad treatment

will cause stress and sickness in this fish too.

Common Arowana ailments are:

Inconsistent water quality and temperature is also known to cause overturned gills in Arowana. This disease will cause the gills to move irregularly and breathing will be abnormal and faster. The fish will hit out of the surface for air and its appetite will decrease. You must change the water immediately and then after every 2-3 days, change 20% of the water. Increasing the oxygen level will also help.

2. Cloudy eyes: Contaminated water and eye injury cause cloudy eyes in Arowana. The eyes cloud and then become moldy. Finally they will swell and get covered in bluish white matter. This disease can cause blindness and even death. Change 1/3rd water and add coarse salt to the tank. Increase the temperature by 2 or 3 degrees and observe. If the condition doesn’t improve you will have to medicate the water after consulting from the vet.

3. Protruding scales disease: Extreme temperature changes and contamination of water cause tilting at every 5th to 8th scale. You may even note blood traces at the root of the scale. This disease usually occurs in young Arowana. The tilting prevents the scales from protecting the fish against bacteria attack and eventually the fish dies.

Increase the temperature of the tank to 32-24 degrees and add coarse salt to the tank. Change 25% of the water after 3 days and increase the oxygen level. You may have to add medications if the condition doesn’t improve.

4. Rotting gills: This is caused by a parasite that hides in the gills and sucks all nutrition out of the Arowana. This is a contagious disease. Medicate the water.

5. Stomach ailments: seen in young fish, the stale food or sharp pincers of the prawns injure the stomach wall, which causes bacterial infection. The stomach swells up and the anal region becomes red and swollen. You will have to medicate the water.

6. White Spot: This is the most common disease in Arowana that originates from ICH bacteria. The bacteria flourish at body temperature but stop multiplying and even die when the temperature rises.

The fins get itchy and you will observe that the fish scratches itself against the tank walls. Appetite drops and fins start rotting. Eventually the fish may die. It is a contagious disease. Increase the water temperature by 2-3 degrees to retard the bacterial growth, increase the oxygen level and finally medicate the water. You might have to disinfect the entire tank after recovery.

To keep your tank healthy and thriving, you will have to be observant about your fish and sensitive to the common symptoms. It is easier to treat a disease in its initial stages. Arowana is a sturdy fish and your quick response to its needs will save a lot of problems.