Symptoms & Control of Dragon Fish Scale Disease

Section 1: Causes of Dragon Fish's Leprosylike Disease

The significant temperature fluctuations caused by seasonal changes are a major factor contributing to the onset of the leprosyllike disease in dragon fish. This is particularly true during the spring and autumn seasons when temperature variations are pronounced. If adequate warming measures are not promptly implemented for the dragon fish, and the water temperature experiences a substantial fluctuation, it can trigger the leprosyllike disease, which is also known as "dragon fish colds" or "dragon fish flu."

Besides the temperature extremes, other factors can lead to the leprosyllike disease in dragon fish. These include rapid water changes, accidental splashing of water onto the fish during water changes, internal parasitic infections, or conditions like enteritis, all of which can potentially cause the disease.

Section 2: Symptoms of Leprosylike Disease

In the early stages of the leprosyllike disease, affected dragon fish exhibit darkening of the body, roughening of the skin, and the front scales standing up, with these scales spreading outward. Additionally, the base of the scales swells, and there is a semitransparent fluid accumulation within the scale sacs. In severe cases, the entire body of the affected fish has scales standing up, and the scale sacs contain bloody exudates. Even a gentle press on the scales can cause the exudates to喷射 out from beneath the scales, leading to scale loss. Furthermore, infected fish may show abdominal bloating with ascites, and some may have redness at the base of the fins and on the skin surface, along with bulging eyes. The affected fish may also breathe slowly and move sluggishly. Without timely treatment, the fish may die within a few days.

Section 3: Treatment Methods for Leprosylike Disease

1. Increase Water Temperature: Upon detecting the initial symptoms of the disease, immediately raise the water temperature in the tank by 12 degrees Celsius above the usual breeding temperature and ensure adequate aeration.

2. Add Salt: Introduce salt to the water, whether it's marine salt or coarse salt. Be cautious with the dosage, aiming for between 0.6% to 1% of the water volume.

3. Change Water: Perform partial water changes every 34 days, replacing approximately onefourth of the water at each change, avoiding a complete water change.

If these methods effectively cure the leprosyllike disease, no additional medication is necessary. However, if there is no improvement, medication should be used in conjunction with the above treatments.

Commonly used medications include Japanese yellow powder,痢特灵,土霉素, and vitamins. Maintain a constant water temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and ensure aeration during treatment.

Dr. Oxygen Pet Tip: Generally, adult dragon fish have a strong resistance and can recover within 3 days of treatment. For young fish or those in the growth phase, the appropriate treatment plan should be determined based on the size of the tank and the severity of the disease. Lastly, pet owners are reminded to control the tank temperature during seasonal transitions and maintain good water quality, which are the most effective measures for preventing the leprosyllike disease in dragon fish.