What to do if the fish is sick and won’t eat
Recently, many fish keeping enthusiasts have reported that fish stop eating after becoming sick, which has become one of the hot topics. Fish not eating can be caused by a variety of reasons, including water quality issues, disease infections, environmental stress, etc. This article will analyze the reasons in detail and provide solutions.
1. Common reasons why fish become sick and refuse to eat

| Reason | Symptoms | solution |
|---|---|---|
| water quality issues | Turbid water, excessive ammonia nitrogen, and abnormal pH value | Change water regularly, test water quality, and use water quality conditioner |
| disease infection | Body surface ulcers, damaged fins, abnormal swimming | Isolate sick fish and treat them with special drugs |
| environmental pressure | Avoiding corners and being slow to react | Reduce light, keep the environment quiet, and provide shelter |
| feed problem | Not interested in feed, vomiting food | Change feed types, try live bait or fresh food |
2. How to determine the specific reasons why fish do not eat
1.Observe fish behavior: If the fish hides or swims slowly, it may be caused by environmental stress or disease; if the fish frequently floats or sinks to the bottom, it may be a water quality problem.
2.Check water quality: Use water quality testing tools to detect ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, pH and other indicators to ensure that the water quality meets the survival requirements of fish.
3.Check the fish body surface: Observe whether there are white spots, ulcers, congestion and other symptoms on the fish body, which may be symptoms of parasitic or bacterial infection.
3. Specific measures to solve the problem of fish not eating
| measures | Specific operations | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Improve water quality | Change 1/3 of the water every week and use water stabilizer | Avoid changing too much water at one time |
| Treat diseases | Use antibacterial or anthelmintic medications according to symptoms | Use medication strictly according to instructions |
| Adjust the environment | Reduce light and reduce noise | Avoid sudden changes in circumstances |
| Change feed | Try live bait or a different brand of feed | Gradual transition to avoid sudden replacement |
4. Methods to prevent fish from becoming sick and not eating
1.Maintain water quality regularly: Keeping the water quality clean is the key to preventing fish diseases. It is recommended to test the water quality every week and change the water regularly.
2.Reasonable feeding: Avoid excessive feeding, as residual bait will pollute the water quality; choose feed suitable for fish to ensure balanced nutrition.
3.Quarantine new fish: Newly purchased fish should be isolated and observed first to avoid introducing pathogens.
4.Keep the environment stable: Avoid frequent changes in landscaping or sudden changes in lighting, water temperature and other environmental factors.
5. Common fish diseases and treatments
| Disease name | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| white spot disease | White spots on body surface, rubbing objects | Raise the temperature to 30℃ and use white point cleaner |
| fin rot | Broken fins and congestion | Antibacterial bath, improve water quality |
| Enteritis | Anal redness and swelling, white stool | Stop eating and use special medicine for enteritis |
| saprolegnia | Cotton-like attachments on body surface | Salt water baths, antifungal medications |
6. Summary
Fish becoming sick and not eating is a common problem in fish farming. The reasons need to be analyzed from many aspects such as water quality, disease, and environment. This problem can be effectively prevented and solved through regular maintenance of water quality, proper feeding, and timely treatment of diseases. If symptoms are severe or persist, it is recommended to consult a professional aquarist or fish expert.
Remember, prevention is better than cure, and maintaining good fishkeeping habits is key to ensuring a healthy fish. I hope this article can help you solve the problem of fish not eating and restore your fish's health and vitality!
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