Fish are one of the animals that are quite susceptible to poison attack. Fish can easily die from toxins that contaminate the water. For this reason, there are many cases of artisanal fishing that take advantage of the use of poison. But it is certainly not correct. Fish that die from poisoning should also not be eaten because the poison can infect the human body or other animals that eat it. Knowing about a fish that died from poisoning can prevent us from eating the fish or taking rescue measures on other organisms around the fish.

Fish poisoning can be caused by various harmful substances that contaminate the water. These substances become contaminated in the water for various reasons, both intentional and unintentional. Here are some differences in the characteristics of fish that are poisoned based on some harmful substances:

Ammonia poisoned fish

Ammonia is a dangerous substance that often accidentally contaminates water. In fact, the presence of ammonia can coexist with fish if its presence is within normal limits. If the ammonia ranges from 0.56 to 2.37 ppm, this ammonia can kill fish within 24 to 36 hours.

The cause of ammonia poisoning of fish is due to the decomposition of organic matter, excretion by aquatic organisms including fish, such as feces and urine, uncleaned food scraps, and gas-smelling , etc. Ammonia tends to rise at high temperatures, a certain pH, so overcoming this can be done by replacing the pond or aquarium water or also by making the pH of the water close to 7 or neutral.

The characteristics of fish that are poisoned by ammonia are the following:

• The fish do not move and simply stand still at a certain point.
• The fish look lethargic and weak.
• Decreased appetite for fish and does not eat.
• The fish floated at the bottom of the pond.
• The gills of the fish look red and even internal or external bleeding occurs.

Nitrate poisoned fish

The toxicity level of nitrite is somewhat lower than that of ammonia and nitrite. Nitrates in the water are usually produced from the digestive process of the fish and can also be due to a poor circulation system in the pond. The maximum limit of nitrate that can be classified as safe is around 20 mg per liter of water. If the nitrate level is higher than that, it means the water can be classified as nitrate contaminated.

The occurrence of nitrate contamination is usually due to poor water circulation in the pond, overfeeding, excessive pond stocking density, and usually this nitrate buildup lasts for a long time, but if left unchecked, levels will continue to rise. increasing.

The characteristics of nitrate poisoning are as follows:

• The fish look limp and lethargic.
• The fish have decreased appetite.
• The gills of fish undergo rapid movement.
• Fish often sit still and do not move at the bottom of the pond.
• At a severe level of poisoning, the fish’s head and tail will look as if they are shriveled.

Nitrite poisoned fish

Nitrite poisoning usually begins with ammonia poisoning in fish. When the ammonia level increases, it will usually be followed by an increase in the nitrite level. The maximum level of nitrite in water is 0.2 mg per litre.

Nitrite poisoning in fish is also known as brown blood disease.

• Fish are often seen panting because they are out of breath and like to be on the surface of the pond.
• Fish gills move very quickly and unnaturally.
• Fish like to hang out near waterways.
• The gills of the fish turn brown.

This nitrite poisoning affects hemoglobin because this disease makes the blood unable to circulate oxygen throughout the body. Because of this, it is not uncommon for nitrite poisoning to cause fish to suffocate due to lack of oxygen in the body.

Carbon dioxide poisoning of fish

Carbon dioxide poisoning will occur if the level of carbon dioxide in the water reaches 25 to 30 ppm. At levels touching that number, the fish will be poisoned by carbon dioxide. This CO2 contamination can be caused by damage to the aquarium reactor, or by the inability of aquatic plants to perform photosynthesis or absorb CO2 due to lack of lighting.

The characteristics of fish that are poisoned with carbon dioxide are:

• The fish’s way of breathing improves and becomes faster.
• Fish often pant.
• Fish swim in surprising ways, such as being surprised to stop or suddenly swimming fast.
• The fish suffocate.

Hydrogen Sulfite Poisoned Fish

Hydrogen sulfide is one of the compounds that is quite dangerous. Most aquatic organisms will be poisoned by this compound although there are organisms that use hydrogen sulfide as an energy source, but of course not much.

Hydrogen sulfide poisoning in water aquariums can be caused by the presence of a water filter and power outage for a long period of time.

In the event of a power outage, flush the water filter with clean water outside the aquarium.

Chlorine poisoned fish, chloramine to heavy metals

These compounds are usually present in tap water and in small amounts have no effect on humans. But of course it is different for certain animals. The content of chlorine and chloramines in the water has a similar effect to nitrite poisoning.

The characteristics of poisoned fish are as follows:

• The fish pant and have difficulty breathing.
• In the long term, the fish can suffocate.

This is because these compounds cause the gills to not function optimally when the blood cannot circulate oxygen properly. Chlorine-contaminated water can still be detected because chlorine gives off a rather pungent odor.