Conversations

Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. & Nora Hickey, D.V.M. Jen and Nora discuss how to effectively use aquarium salt to treat common problems in freshwater fish including Ich, Epistylis, open wounds, and nitrite poisoning. They provide recommendations for proper aquarium salt dosage using accessible products that can be helpful for bettas and other freshwater species. Jen:…

Nora Hickey, D.V.M. & Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. Nora and Jen ask Dr. Jessie Sanders, a fish veterinarian with extensive experience working with betta fish tumors, to share her insights into white bumps, patches, or growths in bettas, including treatment options and practical tips for betta keepers managing this condition. Jen: Nora, I’d like us…

Nora Hickey, D.V.M. & Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. Jen and Nora explore the important practice of quarantining new home aquarium fish. They share their personal experiences and provide recommendations on when and how to quarantine, along with specific equipment suggestions. Jen: Nora. It is time to talk about quarantine tanks. I have a feeling that while…

Nora Hickey, D.V.M. & Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. Jen and Nora confer on mycobacteriosis (often called fish tuberculosis) in aquarium fish and offer recommendations for aquarists who are concerned about or dealing with these pervasive bacteria. Jen: This week let’s talk about mycobacteriosis, Nora. Aquarists call it “myco,” and it’s also known as piscine tuberculosis, or…

Nora Hickey, D.V.M. & Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. Nora and Jen tackle the difficult subject of when and how to humanely euthanize aquarium fish such as bettas, referencing the American Veterinary Medical Association’s recent professional guidelines on this topic and focusing on methods accessible to home fishkeepers, such as using clove oil. Jen: I have…

Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. & Nora Hickey, D.V.M. Jen and Nora discuss feeding goldfish, covering common problems that can occur, unique goldfish anatomy, what and how often to feed your goldfish, and supplemental treats, vegetables, and plants that can enrich their diet. Nora: Jen, I had a very good question from a fellow veterinarian and…

Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. & Nora Hickey, D.V.M. Jen and Nora discuss the benefits of feeding your aquarium fish live foods, including behavioral enrichment, nutrition, and how to set up your own home cultures of Daphnia and green water. Nora: Jen, you have been becoming quite the live food culturist to feed your wild betta…

Nora Hickey, D.V.M. & Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. Nora and Jen chat about their experiences with internal parasites in aquarium fishes such as Capillaria and Camallanus worms, discussing observation of infected or skinny fish, diagnosis, treatment methods, and the most susceptible species. Nora: Jen, we had an exciting parasite sighting at a fish store we visited…

Nora Hickey, D.V.M. & Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. Nora and Jen examine common causes of white spots on fish and focus on the persistent and common aquarium fish disease, Ich, differentiate it from Epistylis, and discuss common myths and potential treatment options. Jen: So Nora, one topic that comes up a lot on the groups and…