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Fish Veterinarian in Westchester County, NY

When something seems off with a fish, even a small change can raise a lot of questions. Maybe your betta has stopped eating. A goldfish is swimming differently. Several koi in your pond suddenly look unwell. Or the fish in your aquarium are developing spots, skin changes, or unusual behavior.

At the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics, our fish veterinarian in Westchester County, NY provides medical care for freshwater and saltwater fish, from individual companion fish to aquarium and pond populations. Our team understands that caring for fish means looking closely at both the patient and the environment in which they live.

Whether your fish is sick or you want guidance on creating a healthier habitat, we can help you better understand what is happening beneath the surface.

Call (914) 864-1414 or request an appointment for your fish today.

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Meet a Veterinarian Who Loves Aquatic Medicine

Dr Emily Schleinkofer posing for a picture with a lizard

Dr. Schleinkofer brings a particular interest in aquatic animal medicine to the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics.

Her interest in aquatic species grew through hands-on work with marine conservation programs and continued veterinary education focused on freshwater and marine animals. She has also completed the University of Florida's certificate program in the Care and Conservation of Aquatic Animals.

Today, she brings that knowledge and enthusiasm to VCBE's growing fish practice, helping aquarium and pond owners access veterinary care created specifically for aquatic animals.

Meet Dr. Schleinkofer

What Fish Does Our Veterinary Team See?

We provide care for a variety of freshwater, saltwater, aquarium, and pond fish, including:

  • Bettas
  • Goldfish
  • Koi
  • Tropical freshwater fish
  • Saltwater and marine aquarium fish
  • Other ornamental and companion fish

Have a species that is not listed here? Give us a call at (914) 864-1414. Our team can help determine whether we can provide the care your fish needs.

orange goldfish in bowl with rocks and green plant
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When Should a Fish See a Veterinarian?

Fish often show illness differently than mammals, birds, or reptiles. Changes in appearance, swimming, appetite, or behavior may be among the first indications that something is wrong.
Contact our veterinary team if you notice concerns such as:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy or reduced activity
  • Abnormal or erratic swimming
  • Floating, sinking, or difficulty maintaining position in the water
  • White spots or other changes to the skin or scales
  • Changes to the fins or gills
  • Swelling or abdominal bloating
  • Ulcers, wounds, lumps, or unusual growths
  • Rapid or labored gill movement
  • Rubbing or scraping against surfaces
  • Unexplained deaths within an aquarium or pond
  • Similar symptoms developing in multiple fish

Fish may develop bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections, including ich, along with injuries, buoyancy disorders, nutritional problems, reproductive conditions, tumors, and illnesses related to their environment.

Because water conditions can affect every fish sharing the same system, examining the broader aquarium or pond environment may be an important part of determining what is happening.

What Veterinary Services Do We Offer for Fish?

The Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics offers a range of services to evaluate fish health and investigate potential disease.

Depending on your fish's species, symptoms, and circumstances, care may include:

  • Husbandry consultations to review habitat, diet, water conditions, filtration, and other aspects of daily care
  • Physical examinations tailored to the anatomy and needs of aquatic patients
  • Water testing to identify environmental factors that may contribute to illness
  • Hematology and blood testing when appropriate for the patient
  • Skin cytology to microscopically examine cells and organisms collected from the skin
  • Gill cytology to investigate changes affecting the gills
  • Fin cytology to evaluate abnormal tissue or potential infection
  • Bacterial and fungal cultures to help identify certain infectious organisms
  • Disease testing based on the fish's symptoms and suspected condition
  • Ultrasonography for a closer look at internal structures
  • Digital X-rays when diagnostic imaging may provide useful information
  • Surgery when a condition can be addressed through a surgical procedure
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Healthy Fish Start With a Healthy Environment

With fish medicine, the water is part of the patient.

Changes in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, temperature, oxygenation, filtration, or other environmental conditions can contribute to stress and disease. Nutrition, tank size, population density, and compatibility between species may also affect long-term health.

Our husbandry consultations can help you evaluate these factors whether you are caring for your first betta, maintaining a saltwater aquarium, or managing a large koi pond.

You do not need to wait until your fish becomes sick to ask for guidance. Preventive consultations can help you identify potential problems and create conditions that better support the species in your care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to Tell if a Fish Is Sick?

Signs that a fish may be sick include loss of appetite, lethargy, unusual swimming, hiding more than usual, rapid or labored breathing, changes in color, clamped fins, fin damage, swelling, skin sores, abnormal growths, or white spots. Changes in water quality can also cause illness-like symptoms. If these signs persist or worsen, the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics team can evaluate your fish and help determine the underlying cause.

Why Does My Fish Have White Spots?

White spots on a fish are commonly associated with Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), a parasitic infection that can cause small white spots resembling grains of salt on the skin and fins. However, white spots or patches can have other causes, including fungal infections, bacterial disease, or other parasites. Because treatment depends on the underlying cause, an exam with our experienced team can help identify the problem and determine appropriate treatment.

What Fish Can Live with Betas?

Some bettas can live with peaceful, compatible tank mates, but compatibility depends on the individual betta, aquarium size, water parameters, and the temperament and species of the other fish. Potential tank mates may include certain small, peaceful community fish, depending on the aquarium setup. Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species and other male bettas. Before adding tank mates, make sure the aquarium provides adequate space, hiding areas, filtration, and appropriate water conditions for every species.

How to Check Water Quality in a Fish Tank?

Fish tank water quality can be checked using an aquarium test kit that measures important parameters such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and temperature. Depending on the species, additional conditions such as hardness or salinity may also be important. Water should be tested regularly and whenever a fish develops signs of illness or there is a sudden change in the aquarium. Poor water quality can contribute to stress and disease, so abnormal test results should be addressed promptly. If you are concerned about your fish’s water quality, the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics team can test your aquarium water and help identify potential issues affecting your fish’s health.

Fish House Calls for Aquariums and Ponds

Depending on the number of fish involved, the symptoms present, and the aquarium or pond setup, our veterinarian may recommend a house call rather than bringing an individual fish into the hospital.

During an on-site visit, we may evaluate the fish population along with water conditions, filtration, stocking, habitat, husbandry, and other factors that could be affecting their health.

House calls can be particularly helpful when multiple fish are showing similar symptoms, unexplained losses are occurring, or transporting the fish would make evaluation difficult.

Looking for a fish veterinarian in Westchester County, NY? Call (914) 864-1414 or request an appointment with our team.

Request an Appointment