Arowana Fish Health: Common Diseases and Their Treatments
- mktpromeal
- Dec 4, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Arowana fish are quite popular among aquarium enthusiasts due to their graceful style and majestic appearance. However, maintaining their stunning looks while keeping them healthy and disease-free can be a bit challenging. Arowanas are prone to certain health issues that depend largely on their care and the tank environment in which they are kept. Arowanas require proper care, nutrition, and tank conditions to stay healthy, which is explained in detail in our How to Care for Arowana Fish? guide.
1. Ich Disease (White Spot Disease)
Symptoms: Small white spots appear on the fish's body, and it becomes quite restless. The fish rubs itself against tank decorations or walls (a behavior known as flashing).
Causes: Ich is caused by a parasite that enters the fish’s skin and fins, weakening its immune system. This disease is typically triggered by stress, poor water quality, and temperature fluctuations.
Treatment:
Temperature Increase: Gradually raise the tank temperature to 28-30°C (if the fish can tolerate it), as high temperatures accelerate the parasite’s life cycle and help eliminate them faster.
Medication: Use malachite green or copper-based medications that target and kill the Ich parasite. Be sure to follow the correct dosage when using copper-based treatments.
Salt Treatment: Adding a small amount of aquarium salt can also be helpful, but it’s important to measure the dose carefully.
Ich outbreaks are often linked to stress and poor immunity, which can be prevented with proper nutrition, as discussed in our Healthy Arowana Fish Ke Liye Perfect Diet Aur Disease Prevention Tips.
2. Fin Rot Disease
Symptoms: The edges of the fish’s fins turn dark and begin to decay gradually. In severe cases, the fins may completely disintegrate, affecting the fish’s swimming ability and overall appearance.
Causes: Fin rot is usually caused by a bacterial infection, which can be triggered by poor water quality, stress, and injuries.
Treatment:
Water Quality Improvement: Regular water changes and maintaining good water quality are essential, as poor water conditions promote the growth of bacteria and infections.
Antibiotics: Adding antibiotics like tetracycline or kanamycin to the tank can help kill the bacteria and stop the infection from spreading.
Salt Addition: Adding aquarium salt to the tank can aid in healing the fins and help control the infection.
Fin rot is commonly caused by poor water quality and inadequate tank conditions, which are covered in our Perfect Tank Setup for Arowana Fish: Tips for a Healthy Habitat.
3. Drop Eye Syndrome
Symptoms: The fish’s eyes begin to droop downward, affecting their appearance and vision. This condition, known as "drop eye," is quite common in Arowana fish.
Causes: The exact cause is unknown, but high-fat diets, reflections from glass tanks, or genetic factors could be the primary reasons for drop eye in Arowanas.
Treatment:
Environmental Change: Move the fish to a pond or a lower tank where reflections are minimized to help reduce the chances of developing drop eye.
Balanced Diet: Provide a balanced, protein-rich diet while reducing high-fat foods, which can help improve the eye condition.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be considered as a last resort. However, it is costly and risky, so it should only be an option when other treatments have failed.
One of the major causes of drooping eyes is an unbalanced, high-fat diet, which is explained in our Arowana Fish Feeding Guide: Perfect Diet and Live Food Choices for Healthy Growth.
4. Mouth Fungus
Symptoms: A white, cotton-like growth appears around the fish's mouth and lips, indicating a fungal infection.
Causes: This fungal infection is caused by bacterial or fungal contamination in the water.
Treatment:
Fungicide Treatment: Add antifungal medications such as methylene blue or malachite green to the tank, as they effectively treat fungal infections.
Water Quality Improvement: It is crucial to maintain fresh, clean water to reduce fungal infection. Regular water changes help decrease contamination and strengthen the fish’s immunity.
A strong immune system supported by high-quality protein sources, such as insect-based diets, can reduce fungal infections, as explained in Insect-Based Foods: A Nutritious Choice for Your Arowana.
5. Swim Bladder Disease
Symptoms: The Arowana has difficulty floating. It either floats on the surface or settles at the bottom of the tank, indicating a problem with its swim bladder, an internal organ responsible for controlling buoyancy.
Causes: Swim bladder disease can be caused by overfeeding, poor diet, or bacterial infections.
Treatment:
Fasting: Keep the fish on fasting for a few days, then feed cooked peas (without skin) to improve digestion.
Salt Treatment: Adding a small amount of aquarium salt can be helpful in maintaining the fish's buoyancy.
Antibiotics: If the disease is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be considered for treatment.
Digestive issues and overfeeding are major causes of swim bladder problems and appetite loss, which are discussed in What to Do When Your Arowana is Not Eating: Understanding and Addressing Appetite Issues.
6. Gill Curling
Symptoms: The fish's gills may curl or fold on the outer side, affecting its breathing and appearance.
Causes: This condition is typically caused by a small tank size, low oxygen levels, and poor water conditions.
Treatment:
Tank Upgrade: Ensure that the Arowana has a large tank with proper oxygenation. These fish require ample space, and it's crucial to maintain adequate ventilation and oxygen levels for their health.
Surgery: In severe cases of gill curling, surgery may be an option, but this is rare and risky. It is generally not recommended and should be considered only as a last resort.
Gill curling is often linked to small tank size and low oxygen levels, making proper habitat setup essential, as explained in Arowana Fish Ke Liye Ideal Tank Kaise Setup Karein?.
7. Cloudy Eye
Symptoms: The fish's eyes may become cloudy or white, leading to blurred vision.
Causes: This is commonly caused by bacterial infections, injury, or poor water quality.
Treatment:
Water Quality: Regular water changes can help prevent infections and improve the overall health of the fish.
Salt Addition: Adding aquarium salt to the tank can speed up the healing process and reduce irritation.
Antibiotics: In cases of severe infection, antibiotics can be used to treat the cloudy eye condition effectively.
Cloudy eye can also result from nutritional deficiencies, which are addressed in The Ultimate Arowana Fish Food Guide for Healthy Growth and Vibrant Colour.
8. Head Rot Disease
Symptoms: Small ulcers or holes develop on the head and face of the Arowana fish.
Causes: Head rot is caused by bacterial or protozoan infections, and it can also be triggered by poor water quality and nutrient deficiencies.
Treatment:
Medication: Add metronidazole and antibacterial medications to the tank to help treat the infection.
Water Quality: Regular water changes are essential to maintain clean water and prevent further infection.
Balanced Diet: Ensure the fish’s diet includes essential vitamins and minerals to support its immune system and overall health.
Providing protein-rich foods like mealworms helps strengthen immunity and tissue repair, which is explained in Why Arowana Fish Love Mealworms and Superworms: A Comprehensive Guide.
Preventive Measures for Arowana Fish Health
Water Quality Management: Regular water changes and maintaining clean water are crucial for the health of your Arowana. Poor water conditions can lead to stress and diseases.
Balanced Diet: Provide a nutritious and balanced diet to keep your Arowana healthy and resistant to illnesses. Avoid overfeeding and fatty foods, as they can cause health issues.
Large Tank Size: A spacious tank is essential for their natural movement and growth. A large, well-maintained tank keeps your Arowana comfortable and stress-free.
Observation: Regularly observe your fish's behavior and appearance. Detecting unusual signs early allows you to take timely action and prevent serious health problems..
For beginners looking for quick solutions on nutrition, feeding, and health care, our Your Complete Arowana Care FAQ: Nutrition, Feeding and Health Essentials covers the most common questions.
Maintaining long-term Arowana health requires the right balance of diet, tank care, and disease prevention, all of which are explained in our complete guide on How to Care for Arowana Fish? Identifying and treating common diseases and health issues on time significantly contributes to its long-term well-being. Additionally, ensuring good water quality, ample tank space, and regular observation should be integral parts of its care routine. A proper, balanced diet also plays a crucial role in boosting its health and immunity.
At Promeal, we know how important it is to give your pets a healthy and varied diet. That’s why we create high-quality, natural pet food to keep them happy and healthy.
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