ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Gaffkaemia

Gaffkaemia is a big word that describes a sickness that happens to fish. Imagine you have a pet goldfish that you love very much. One day, you notice it's not swimming around like it usually does. Instead, it looks really tired and is just floating there, not moving much.

Well, sometimes wild fish in rivers and lakes get sick like that too. It's called gaffkaemia. It happens when a type of bacteria called Aeromonas salmonicida gets inside the fish's body and makes it very sick. This can happen when a fish gets a cut or injury that lets the bacteria in.

Just like how you might get a cold or flu and feel really unwell, the fish with gaffkaemia feels sick too. It might have trouble breathing, swim weirdly, or not eat much. Worst of all, some fish can even die from gaffkaemia if they don't get treated.

So, just like how you go to the doctor when you're feeling sick, sometimes fish need help too. There are scientists and veterinarians who study and treat gaffkaemia to help keep fish in rivers and lakes healthy. They might give the fish medicine to fight off the bacteria or even change the water they live in to make it better for them.

Overall, gaffkaemia is just one of many types of sicknesses that can happen to fish. But with the help of people who care about keeping fish healthy, we can work to prevent and treat it to keep our underwater friends feeling their best.