Ulcers

What are Ulcers?

Ulcers in fish are an inflammation of the external tissues which look like "sores” or ulcers on the fish. They most commonly affect cold water fish such as goldfish.

What causes Ulcers?

These can be caused by physical injury, parasites, bacterial erosion, bacterial sepsis, bacterial infection or chemicals contained in poor water chemistry such as high ammonia, nitrite and high or low pH levels.

It is important to determine whether one fish is displaying ulcers, which indicates that the individual fish has the problem, or there are several fish that are damaged indicating a general environmental problem.

How to treat Ulcers:

- Check your water conditions. Chemistry as well as pH and water temperature.

- Do a 30% - 50% water change.

- Remove carbon from your filter while treating your tank. Carbon will absorb any medication that you place into the water.

- Treat with Melafix or Furan-2.

- Add aquarium salt 1 tablespoon per 20L. Make sure 50% water changes are done daily using this method.

Use this treatment on bettas or other surface breathing fish. (Caution with those scaleless fish. e.g. clown loach)

- Treat for the recommended amount of time even if you feel the infection has passed and after the treatment, another 50% water change must be made to help clear the medicine.