Alkalosis occurs when the pH of water becomes too basic, increasing above the level fish can tolerate. There are two types of alkalosis - metabolic, caused by losing too much acid or gaining too much base, and respiratory, caused by decreased carbon dioxide levels leading to hyperventilation. Symptoms include ragged fins, gray spots on the head, excited behavior, loss of balance, red spots under the skin, and red/brown gills. Alkalosis is prevented by controlling pH through the addition of alum or cow dung, timely water changes, and using driftwood or almond leaves.

1. ALKALOSIS
Pritam Sarkar
F/2016/18
B.F.Sc, WBUAFS
AAH-224

2. INTRODUCTION
 Alkalosis comes about when water becomes too basic.
The pH increases to a level higher than the fish can
tolerate.
 Alkalosis is one type of environmental disease in fish .
 We all know that pH is a very important factor for
aquaculture pond for getting a good production.
 Ideal pH of a fish culture pond is 7.5 to 8.5 .

3. DESCRIPTION
 If somehow it increases above this level fish will suffer
from alkalosis disease .
 It should be mentioned that ammonia, present in the
water, is more toxic at high pH .
 So we need to decrease the ammonia level as well as pH
level up to a certain level as soon as possible .

4. DESCRIPTION
 This disease does not necessarily affect all fish in the
pond, as different species need various pH levels.
 Fish Alkaline Tolerance Point
1. Trout and Perches 9.2
2. Cray fish 10.2
3. Loach 10.4
4. Pike 10.7
5. Crap and Trenches 10.8

5. DESCRIPTION
 Alkaline water causes irritation on the skin and
the gills and may cause unfavourable physical
changes.

6. TYPES (Based on inner changes in the body )
 Metabolic Alkalosis
 Respiratory Alkalosis

7. METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
 Metabolic alkalosis develops when fish body
loses too much acid or gains too much base.
 Alkalosis is excessive blood alkalinity caused
by an overabundance of bicarbonate in the
blood or a loss of acid from the blood which
causes the kidney excreting more bicarbonate.

8. METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
 In this case renal problems occur and kidney will
damaged rapidly.
 In metabolic alkalosis sodium and potassium
concentration from blood get decreased .
 Metabolic alkalosis can’t last long if kidney works
properly.

9. RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
 Also known as ventilatory failure.
 When pH of pond decreases co2 concentration and
H+ concentration get decreases .
 In this case blood co2 also decreased and fish started
rapid and deep breathing , which is known as
Hyperventilation.

10. RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
 Fish started gulping in this case .
 We can say that all the internal organ get affected
from respiratory alkalosis , because they can not get
oxygen rich blood for their function .
 It is almost fatal if preventive measures can not
taken quickly .

11. TYPE (Based on mode of pH change )
 Chronic Alkalosis
 Acute Alkalosis

12. Chronic Alkalosis
 Disease may become chronic , if pH levels
change gradually.
 If pH is changed gradually, fish will be affected by
the inappropriate pH for a long time.
 If sediment deposition rate is much more , excess
lime used in the pond pH will increases ; if
aquarium decorations (for example, limestone ,
zeolite) constantly discharge dissolved minerals.

13. Acute Alkalosis
 Disease may become acute, if pH levels change rapidly.
 If sudden drastic changes in pH occur, survival is unlikely,
unless pH is immediately restored to normal.
 At time of rainfall high mineral content water from
agriculture field deposited in the pond via surface run off ,
will increase pH very quickly.
 Acute alkalosis is usually fatal, even if causes are eliminated
quickly. Therefore, it is vital to establish the cause of the
problem and take necessary preventive measures.

14. SYMPTOMS
Fins frayed or ragged
Fins look as if they are rotting away, giving
eroded appearance.
Heavy slime production on the base of the fin.

15. SYMPTOMS
Grey/white spot around head
Around the head area is a large grey or white
spot. Brightening (lighting) of body colours.

16. SYMPTOMS
Excited behaviour
fish scratch on the rocks and other
objects.
Fish jump out of the water.
Loss of balance
Fish keeps falling from its attempted swimming
pattern , starts gulping.

17. SYMPTOMS
Sub epithelial petechiae
Small bloody red dots or effusions, evident
below skin.

18. SYMPTOMS
Gills brown/red
Gills have a dark brown or dark red colouration.

19. PREVENTION
 Control pH
High pH controlled by applying
1. Alum : 10-15 kg/bigha
2. cow dung : 10000-15000 kg/ha

20. PREVENTION
 Alum
 Alum is nothing but Aluminium Potassium Sulphate.
 After adding alum in the pond water it started reacting with the
bicarbonate present in the water and formed gelatinous
precipitation .
 It also having the property to attract fine particles present in
the water .

21. PREVENTION
 Cow Dung
 Cow dung also used.
 But before use it should be disinfected , because it
carries pathogen which cause several other disease
in fish .
 Disinfected can be done by Liming .

22. PREVENTION
 In case of shrimp pond don’t use cow dung .
 In shrimp pond use a juice along with water .
 The is nothing but the mixture of fermented
yeast and jagyue.

23. PREVENTION
 Timely water change
This is the best way of managing problems with pH, as
a regular partial water change will solve the main
problem.
It will reduce a high concentration of minerals which
cause increase in pH .
Rate of water exchange is 10-15%.

24. PREVENTION
 Use of driftwood for a quick, natural option
Driftwood acts as a natural filter for your tank water,
removing contaminants that raise the pH level.
 Use almond leaves to prevent diseases and other
issues in your fish
Almond leaves help to naturally lower the pH levels in
your tank and they can keep your fish healthy, as they
contain anti-inflammatory properties.

25. CONCLUSION
 Acid – Base balance involves the maintenance of
internal pH .
 If there is any fluctuation in pH , like increase
leads to Alkalosis and if less leads to Acidosis.
 In order to achieve homeostasis, there must be a
balance between the intake or production of
hydrogen ion and the net removal of hydrogen
ion from the body.