Planted
Learn to recognize when fish need care and how to treat them. Normal behavioral patterns of your fish will reveal a lot when it comes to healthy behavior versus unhealthy behavior. If your fish suddenly seem lethargic, lose their appetite, or begin hovering at the top of the tank when they ordinarily don’t, then they are likely ill and need to be treated with the proper fish remedy. Don’t assume that your fish will bounce back from disease on their own – treat them as soon as you notice symptoms.
Note that while all API® fish remedies are safe for use with plants, some products may cause staining of plant leaves, so take this into consideration when choosing a treatment, and consider dosing your fish in a quarantine tank to avoid staining (and disease contamination) of your main aquarium.
Choose from the categories below to learn more about proactive treatment and care for your sick fish. Browse information and solutions for bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections to accurately diagnose and treat your fish and get them back on the road to wellness!
Symptoms of bacterial disease include fin & tail rot, eye cloud, body slime, mouth fungus, blood streaks in fins and body, and open red sores.
There are several bacterial fish remedies aim to help treat your sick fish. API® MELAFIX™ fish remedy treats these symptoms quickly and effectively, and reduces the risk of spreading disease to healthy fish. With the natural active ingredient Melaleuca – tea tree extract – MELAFIX fish remedy repairs fish tissue and fins that are damaged from handling and netting, and is safe for use with even the most delicate fish species. MELAFIX fish remedy will not color the water, stain ornaments, or alter pH, and will not harm aquarium plants.
FIN & BODY CURE™ fish remedy and E.M. ERYTHROMYCIN™ fish remedy are all available in powder form and treat a broad spectrum of infections, especially when symptoms include body slime, mouth fungus, open lesions and swelling, bacterial gill disease, and hemorrhagic septicemia (blood sports without sign of skin damage). These products can be used in freshwater, planted aquariums, and in conjunction with any API Ich, fungus, or parasite remedy to help prevent secondary bacterial infections.
Fungus may appear as white, cottony tufts or patches on the mouth, skin, and fins of your fish, and should be treated as soon as possible once diagnosed. API® PIMAFIX™ fish remedy rapidly treats fungal infections, as well as internal and external bacterial infections, and provides a broad-spectrum treatment that prevents pathogens from developing resistance. It is safe for use even with delicate fish species and plants, and may be used in conjunction with API MELAFIX™ fish remedy to treat a broad range of infections.
"Ick" is one of the most common fish diseases, and is caused by a parasite that burrows into the gill and skin tissue of fish. Ick is highly contagious and, in addition to being removed from a community tank, your fish should be treated as soon as symptoms are observed, which may include labored breathing, rapid darting around the aquarium, scratching against objects, and white spots on fins, body, and eyes, to name a few. API® SUPER ICK CURE™ fish remedy works fast to kill the "Ick" parasite, usually within 24 hours, and helps heal the fish’s natural slime coat which is damaged by the parasite. API SUPER ICK CURE fish remedy helps prevent secondary infection, and also treats other external parasites such as Oodinium (velvet).
AQUARIUM SALT is a great, all-natural way to boost the health of your freshwater fish. Made from evaporated sea water, aquarium salt promotes healthy gill function and improves fish respiration, adding essential electrolytes that fish need to reach peak coloration and health. AQUARIUM SALT also promotes disease recovery, and reduces the harmful effects of nitrite on your fish. Use when performing partial water changes and to promote fish disease recovery during or after treatment.
Fast-acting API® GENERAL CURE™ fish remedy treats symptoms of parasitic fish disease, which may cause dramatic weight loss, swollen abdomen, and erosion of skin and muscle tissue around your fish’s head or face. API GENERAL CURE fish remedy works to treat these symptoms quickly and effectively to grant your fish relief, and comes in a powder form.
