fish disease treatment (fungus)

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses how to care for fish in an aquaponics system during the transition to winter in Australia. As temperatures drop, fish like silver perch become less active, increasing the risk of fungal infections. The video offers advice on minimizing stress for the fish by maintaining water temperature, using salt to regulate osmosis, and providing salt baths to treat existing fungal infections. The creator emphasizes natural, chemical-free methods to manage fish health and encourages viewers to subscribe and access a six-step guide for building a successful aquaponics setup.

Takeaways

• 😀 Winter transition in Australia affects aquaponics setups, with dropping water temperatures causing fish to become less active.
• 😀 Cold-blooded fish rely on water temperature to regulate their metabolism, which slows down during winter, leading to reduced feeding and energy reserves.
• 😀 Fish stress during winter can deplete their energy reserves, making them weaker and more susceptible to diseases like fungus.
• 😀 To minimize stress for fish, it's important to maintain a stable, comfortable water temperature, ideally above 12°C.
• 😀 Adding salt to the water can reduce the stress on fish by slowing down osmosis, making it easier for the fish to regulate their body functions.
• 😀 A recommended concentration for salt in freshwater aquaponics setups is 3 grams per liter, which is safe for both fish and plants.
• 😀 Fungus on fish can be identified as white mold on their skin, which requires immediate action to treat.
• 😀 To treat fungus, fish can be given a salt bath with 10 grams of salt per liter for about an hour, ensuring enough oxygen and monitoring their condition.
• 😀 It's essential to use a gentle, fish-friendly net to handle fish during the salt bath, to avoid damaging their protective slime layer.
• 😀 If fish show severe fungal infections or poor condition, it's advised to isolate them in a separate tank to prevent spreading the disease to other fish.
• 😀 For more in-depth aquaponics guidance, a six-step guide is available, and the channel provides additional resources for managing fish health and vegetable growth sustainably.

Q & A

Why do fish in aquaponics setups become less active during winter?

Fish are cold-blooded animals, meaning their metabolism is directly affected by water temperature. In winter, when water temperatures drop, their blood temperature also decreases, causing their metabolism to slow down and leading to less activity and reduced feeding.

How can temperature management help fish in an aquaponics system during winter?

Maintaining a consistent water temperature above the minimum range for the fish species can reduce stress and help the fish conserve energy. In some cases, using an aquarium heater or insulating the setup can help maintain the water temperature at an optimal level, improving fish health.

What is osmosis, and how does it affect fish in an aquaponics system?

Osmosis is the movement of water from an area of lower salt concentration to an area of higher salt concentration. Fish in fresh water constantly regulate this process by using energy to prevent water from entering their bodies, which can stress them. Adding a small amount of salt to the water helps reduce this osmotic pressure and conserves energy.

What role does salt play in preventing fungus in fish?

Salt helps reduce the osmotic stress on fish and can also help prevent fungal infections. Fungus typically grows on the skin of fish, especially in cold weather, and adding salt to the water reduces the growth of fungus by creating a less favorable environment for it.

Why is it important to avoid stressing fish during winter in aquaponics systems?

Stressed fish use up their energy reserves, which are crucial for surviving the colder months. Stress can weaken their immune system, making them more susceptible to diseases like fungal infections. Reducing stress helps maintain their energy reserves, allowing them to survive winter without succumbing to illness.

How much salt should be added to the water in aquaponics to help the fish?

The recommended amount is 3 grams of salt per liter of water. This is enough to reduce osmotic pressure without negatively affecting the fish or plants in the aquaponics system.

What should you do if your fish are already infected with fungus?

If fish are infected with fungus, you can place them in a separate bucket with water containing 10 grams of salt per liter. This 'salt bath' should last about an hour, with constant monitoring to ensure the fish are not overly stressed. Afterward, return them to the main tank.

How do you ensure the fish do not get stressed during the salt bath?

To minimize stress, it’s important to ensure adequate oxygen levels in the bucket (using an air stone) and to monitor the fish carefully. If they appear to be struggling, the bath should be stopped. The fish should not be in the salt bath for more than an hour without reassessment.

Why should fish with severe fungal infections be separated from the main tank?

Fish that are severely infected with fungus should be separated to prevent the spread of the infection to other fish. Isolating sick fish allows you to treat them more effectively and prevents contaminating the healthy fish in the main tank.

What are the risks of using chemicals like potassium permanganate to treat fungal infections in aquaponics?

Potassium permanganate is effective at treating fungus but is toxic and can harm both fish and plants in the aquaponics system. It is recommended to avoid using such chemicals and instead rely on natural methods like salt baths to treat fungal infections.