Diseases caused by parasites

Diseases caused by parasites are of many types, the parasites attacking different vital organs or functions of the fish,like the skin, gills, eyes, balance sense, nervous system, digestive tract or muscular tissue. Diseases may also be induced by parasites, although the parasite itself does not always cause the disease. External parasites open up the skin of the fish, creating sores and open up a way for other pathogens into the fish. Both internal and external parasites may suppress or weaken the fish's defense mechanism so diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites may flare up, diseases which the fish might otherwise contend with.