Are Fish Slimy?

Fish come in all shapes and sizes so it seems but one thing they all seem to have in common is a coat. That’s right all fish have a nice healthy slime coat.

All across them let us explore all the reasons behind this amazing fish coat!.

Are fish slimy?.

Yes, fish have a slime coat that prevents any organisms, disease, or predators. Helps them swim faster, and even hides within a slime cocoon some fish even have toxins in the slime!.

Why Are Fish Slimy?

Fish secrete a glycoprotein slime. From the cells in their skin to make it harder for parasites to attach. Some fish even secrete toxins into the slime to deter predators.

Fish breathe via their gills but they also use their skin. The slime allows the necessary chemicals to pass through from into out and vis versa!.

Slime is vital for healing. If a fish gets cut or bitten or even scapes itself on something. The slime will be secreted and act as a plaster/bandage. Protecting the fish as well as speeding the healing process.

Some species of fish feed their young slime. As it has all the required nutrients for the young to grow properly.

Also, the slime makes fish much more aerodynamic in the water. Allowing them to swim faster through the water sliding through smaller gaps without getting stuck.

There are also a few types of fish. Tetra Barbs And even Sharks have what is known as blind cells on their skin.

When the slim is removed and the fish gets hurt. A chemical is released in the form of a hormone. This alerts other fish of the same type allowing them to get help or escape.

Another use for slime is used by a few species of fish. They use the slime. To make a cocoon and this allows the fish to hide for a while until the coast is clear!.

How Are Fish Slimy?

First off, where does this slime come from?. The answer is that it originates from dispersed glandular cells, uni- or multicellular in the fish’s epidermis. The type and displacement of these glands are of importance in classification.

They produce a glycoprotein called mucin. Which, when mixed with water, produces mucus. This mucus is the slime we refer to and this slime covers the whole body of the fish.

Do Fish Make Slime?

Yes indeed fish do make the slime themselves via the glands mentioned above. Here are the basics of the epidermis.

There are two more layers. One of these is called the germinal layer. Inside this layer are cells whose job it is to make produce mucus or slime!.

Do Fish Eat Slime?

There are occasions. When a fish will start eating the slime of another fish it’s pretty rare but it happens. It’s usually an algae eater, to be honest, but have heard of a cory eating the coat of a betta fish!.

I know people will say the betta should be kept on their own. But the reason the cory was doing this is that it needs a high protein diet. Also, they need to be kept in large groups in this tank there were two oops!.

What Happens If Fish Loses Its Slime?

If Fish lose the slime that covers the body it will cause major problems. As now there’s no protection from organisms and bacteria from attaching themselves to the fish and disease to form.

ICH DISEASE

 

One such disease is ich. This becomes a problem if the fish loses slime. Its immune system is weakened leading to the possibility of catching ich.

Ich is a disease that looks like white spots over the fish’s body. Much like spots or grains of salt!. Early signs will be the fish rubbing against objects. A real loss of appetite and wanting to be on its own hiding etc.

Treatment consists of adding salt to the tank and raising the temperature a few degrees for up to five days. To eradicate ich from the tank permanently also a water change will be required.

Although some would say you can not fully get rid of ich it may lay dormant in the tank. The only way to be sure is to remove the fish and raise the temperature to 96 degrees.

All Slime Good For Fish?

NO, NOT AT ALL. As with ich, there’s a disease known as slime disease. This is caused by a parasite in the water. Or parasites that are feeding on algae and bacteria left from uneaten food etc.

Again this is usually because the fish’s immune system has been compromised In some way. Its own slime has now been taken over by the parasite and it forms a white slime across the fish.

White Slime

As said above the natural slime on our fish is clear. We won’t see it if you see a white slime over the fish. It’s more than likely white slime disease!.

WHITE SLIME ON FISH

If the slime is indeed white and not clear chances are it’s not the coat of the fish. But the disease known as white slime disease!.

WHITE SLIME ON FISHES FINS

This disease can also appear on the fin of the fish. But It’s more likely fin rot!. Although a secondary infection still can be very harmful and can also occur at the same time as slime disease.

The treatment is similar in that salt acts as a deterrent but also strengthens the fish’s own production of healthy slime. Although if it only affects one or a few fish you would obviously use a hospital tank to treat them.

WHITE SLIME ON FISHES EYEBALL

White slime or maybe a more cloudy appearance over a fish’s eye is more likely bacterial in nature. This can be caused by a lack of vitamin A or a poor overall diet. Sometimes via poor water conditions in the tank itself.

Especially if the ph levels drop too low. Simply feed the fish making sure to give them the correct vitamins. Do some water changes in order to bring the ph levels back up and the fish will heal themselves.

Slime On Tank Glass

If you notice a white slime substance on the glass of the tank. Or floating on the surface of the water again bacterial bloom. Caused again by bad poor water conditions over feeding maybe a slightly irregular water temperature.

These can all be fixed with water changes and patients but also maybe by investing in an extra couple algae eaters!