General Sings & Symptoms of Disease FishIntroduction:A disease is an abnormal condition that affects the body of an organism. It is often construed as a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by factors originally from an external source, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune diseases.The term disease broadly refers to any condition that impairs normal function, and is therefore associated with dysfunction of normal homeostasis. Commonly, the term disease is used to refer specifically to infectious diseases, which are clinically evident diseases that result from the presence of pathogenic microbial agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular organisms, and aberrant proteins known as prions. An infection that does not and will not produce clinically evident impairment of normal functioning, such as the presence of the normal bacteria and yeasts in the gut, or of a passenger virus, is not considered a disease. By contrast, an infection that is asymptomatic during its incubation period, but expected to produce symptoms later, is usually considered a disease. Non-infectious diseases are all other diseases, including most forms of cancer, heart disease, and genetic disease.The term disease broadly refers to any condition that impairs normal function, and is therefore associated with dysfunction of normal homeostasis. Commonly, the term disease is used to refer specifically to infectious diseases, which are clinically evident diseases that result from the presence of pathogenic microbial agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular organisms, and aberrant proteins known as prions. An infection that does not and will not produce clinically evident impairment of normal functioning, such as the presence of the normal bacteria and yeasts in the gut, or of a passenger virus, is not considered a disease.Bacterial Disease:

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Fish are susceptible to a wide variety of bacterial pathogens. Many of these bacteria capable of causing disease are considered by some to be saprophytic in nature. This bacteria only become pathogens when fishes are physiologically unbalanced, nutritionally deficient, or there are other stressors, i.e., poor water quality, overstocking, which allow opportunistic bacterial infections to proceed. Some of these bacterial pathogens of fishes are fastidious and require special growth media for laboratory culture. Others grow at different temperatures, dependent upon the aquatic environmental temperature of the fish. Some of the more common bacterial Diseases are listed below.

Furunculosis of Salmonids Cutaneous Ulcerative Disease Motile Aeromonas Septicemia(MAS) Vibriosis Enteric Septicemia of Catfish (ESC) Edwardsiellosis (EPD) Bacterial Kidney Disease(BKD) Mycobacteriosis Columnaris Disease

General Signs & symptom of bacterial disease:The common signs can be one or a combination of the following:

Reddened and frayed fins, or red streaks through the fins. Red fins are often a sign of "ammonia burn", which can be caused by poor packing procedures during shipping. Disintegration of the fins, i.e fin and tail rot. Redness around the area of the lateral line, often seen as streaks or blotches. Open sores on the sides of the body and near the fins. Bloody scales at the base of the fins. Rapid breathing. A gray film over bulging eyes (Pop Eye). Listlessness or lethargy. Loss of appetite.

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Abdominal swelling or bloating. This is usually a sign of a bladder infection, often a common problem with Wrasses that burrow in the substrate.Bacterial Infections: Inactivity, loss of color, frayed fins, bloated body, cloudy eyes, open sores, abscesses, red streaks throughout body, reddening or inflammation of the skin, fins or internal organs, bulging eyes, difficulty breathing.Viral Disease:Viral diseases are extremely widespread infections caused by viruses, a type of microorganism. Fish viruses have wider, but specific, temperature tolerances in fish cell cultures at lower temperatures. Because of this relatively defined temperature range, variation in temperature may enable control, although often it merely induces latency. Because many viral diseases of fish are geographically limited, regulatory agencies and fish farms in disease-free areas consider them exotic diseases and require certification of introduced stocks.There are many types of viruses that cause a wide variety of viral diseases. The most common type of viral disease is the common cold, which is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat). Other common viral diseases include:

Channel Catfish Virus (CCV) Disease Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Spring Viremia of Carp (SVC) Lymphocystis Disease Viral Erythrocytic Necrosis Epizootic Erythropoietic Necrosis (EHN) Largemouth Bass Virus Infectious Salmon Anemia Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Koi Herpesvirus Carp Pox

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General Signs & symptom of Viral disease:Symptoms of viral diseases vary depending on the specific type of virus causing infection, the area of the body that is infected, the age and health history of the patient, and other factors. The symptoms of viral diseases can affect almost any area of the body or body system. Symptoms of viral diseases can include:

Gastrointestinal disturbances, Irritability Malaise (general ill feeling) Sneezing. Swollen lymph nodes. Swollen tonsils. Unexplained weight loss. Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eye. Bulging of the soft spot on the top of the head. Difficulty with feeding.

Fungal Disease:Fungal infections are infections caused by a fungus, a type of microorganism. Fish fungus is a contagious disease that can easily spread in the tank, especially because the water just circulates within the tank. Saltwater fish species have equal chances of being affected by fungus as freshwater species. Often, the fungus attack is due to poor water quality and a dirt tank.Most of the time, there is nothing that the owner could do to treat the ailment in fishes that show advanced signs of deterioration. These fishes should be isolated or destroyed to try to prevent the spread of disease to the other fishes. Because the fungus could live on the surface of the tank and all the organisms and objects inside it, it is best to thoroughly clean the tank before re-introducing the healthy fishes.General Symptoms of fungal infection:Symptoms of fungal infections differ depending on the type and severity of the infection, the area of the body affected, and individual factors. Some general symptoms are:

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Ichthyosporidium: Sluggishness Hollow bellies Swimming and balance difficulties External sores and cysts Fin and tail rot

Columnaris: (Flavobacterium columnare) Off white to gray infections or sores that are located close to, around, or on the mouth.

Saprolegnia: Whitish or grayish growth on the fins, tail, and skin of the fish. Cottony growth on the affected areas.

Symptoms of fungal infections that affect the mouth (oral thrush) include: Lesions or sores that are raised, are yellow-white in color, and appear in patches in the mouth or throat and/or on the tongue. Sore, bleeding gums. Patches or lesions that become sore, raw and painful, making it difficult to eat or swallow.

Parasitic disease:Symptoms of parasitic disease:

Inactivity, Loss of appetite, Excess mucus or film on body, Visible spots or worms, Rapid breathing, Scratching.

Nutritional Disease:Page | 5

Nutritional management of fish is highly variable, depending on species and system.Symptoms of Nutritional disease:

Vitamin A deficiency has been associated with poor growth and retinal atrophy. Vitamins B, folic acid deficiency has been associated with poor growth and, in channel catfish, with anemia. It also cause nutritional anemia of catfish by contaminating bacterial feed. Vitamin E deficiency has been related to myopathy, including muscular deformities. Pantothenic acid deficiency has been associated with clubbed gills Acute thiamine deficiency has been associated with neurologic signs, including convulsions and death; chronic deficiency has resulted in loss of equilibrium, edema, and poor growth. Riboflavin deficiency has been associated with vascularization of the cornea, hyperpigmentation, clouding, and hemorrhage of the eyes. Niacin, biotin, and pyridoxine deficiencies have been associated with neurologic abnormalities, including spasms and convulsions. Choline and inositol deficiency have been linked to poor growth. Skeletal muscle abnormalities have been associated with selenium deficiency and rancid feeds. Rancid feeds have also been linked to steatites. Genetic disease:

Genetic disease is any disease that is caused by an abnormality in an individual's genome. The abnormality can range from minuscule to major from a discrete mutation in a single base in the DNA of a single gene to a gross chromosome abnormality involving the addition or subtraction of an entire chromosome or set of chromosomes. Some genetic disorders are inherited from the parents, while other genetic diseases are caused by acquired changes or mutations in a preexisting gene or group of genes. Mutations occur either randomly or due to some environmental exposure.Sings & Symptoms of Genetic Disease:

Cystic fibrosis, Sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome,

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hemochromatosis.Some common disease and its symptoms of fish:Disease and Causes Symptoms Reason for InfectionUlcersCaused by Pseudomonas and Aeromonas bacteria

Pinky-white open wounds, often with a white edge and sometimes secondarily infected by fungi and other bacteria.

Very poor water quality or an excessively high pH level. Minor scratches can become infected if conditions are poor. Also commonly affects newly imported Koi and goldfish.Cloudy eyeCaused by poor water quality, poor diet, eye flukes, corneal damage, bacterial infection.

Entire surface or lens of eye takes on a cloudy, opaque appearance. There may be a build-up of mucus on the outer surface.

Most commonly caused by poor water conditions. A lack of vitamins in the diet may also cause clouding. On rare occasions digenetic flukes, such as Diplostomum, can cause problems.DropsyUsually caused by bacterial infection. Viral infection, nutritional, metabolic and osmoregulatory problems can also be responsible.

Swelling of the body cavity due to a build-up of fluid. Scales become raised giving a pinecone-like appearance. One or both of the eyes may be protruded.

Usually triggered by poor water quality, especially the presence of ammonia and nitrite. Often confined to individual fish.

White spotCaused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis parasite

Small white spots, about the size of a salt grain, on the skin, fins and gills.Stress related. Usually a consequence of poor or incorrect water conditions, fluctuating temperature and general poor husbandry. Sensitive species may develop white spot as a result of being introduced to a new aquarium.

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Bacterial infectionCaused by Aeromonas and Pseudomonas bacteria

Reddening of the skin or fins; ragged fins with signs of infection, open sores. Common on many newly imported fishes. Often accompanied by other diseases, including fungi.

Poor water conditions, especially the presence of ammonia and nitrite. Wounds resulting from poor handling, transport or fighting may become secondarily infected by these bacteria if conditions are poor.FungusCaused by Saprolegnia and Achlya

Fluffy growths affecting wounds on the skin and fins of freshwater fishes.Usually a secondary infection that invades wounds left by ulcers and parasites, including whitespot. Rarely a problem in tanks with good water quality.Finrot

Caused by Aeromonas, Pseudomonas or Flexibacter bacteria

Frayed fins, often with a pale pinky-white edge and some blood in the fin tissue.The bacteria are present on most fish. Stress from poor water conditions usually triggers an infection. Nipped fins may become secondarily infected if water is polluted. Some wounds may also be attacked by fungus.Swimbladder disorder

Caused by bacterial infection, incorrect diet, trapped gas, physical deformities.

Fish have difficulty swimming to the surface, or to the lower levels of the tank. Commonly affects egg-shaped fancy goldfish.

Sometimes caused by poor water quality. Genetic problems in selectively-bred goldfish.

LymphocystisCaused by an iridovirus

The virus causes crusty grey-white lumps to develop on the skin and fins. These may affect freshwater or marine fishes, and sometimes take on the colour of the underlying skin.

The disease is viral, but may be triggered by stress, poor handling or poor water. Some fish may carry the virus without showing symptoms.

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Recommendation & Conclusion:From this study we knew about the general Signs & symptoms of disease fish. The diseases are harmful for both wild & cultured fishes of our country. It may cause a heavy loss for commercially cultured fishes. So, we should be known about the disease signs & symptoms, so that we can easily find out the proper treatment.

References:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diseasehttp://www.localhealth.com/article/bacterial-diseaseshttp://www.localhealth.com/article/viral-diseases/symptomshttp://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_and_laboratory_animals/fish/viral_diseases_of_fish.htmlhttp://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/Common diseases of goldfish.htmhttp://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_and_laboratory_animals/fish/nutritional_diseases_of_fish.htmlhttp://www.medicinenet.com/genetic_disease/article.htm

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