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Diseases
Here is a listing of the most common goldfish and koi diseases and their recommended treatments. Keep in mind that any disease treatment will be fruitless without correcting any water quality problems. More detailed information regarding disease treatment is available in a multitude of places. A good source is www.koivet.com.
Disease Text is by Randy Lefever. Thanks to Dr. Andy Goodwin for some of the pictures.
Ich (whitespot) – Ich is one of the most common and widespread of all the fish diseases. It is characterized by tiny white spots the size of coarse sand. Its microscopic stage is round with a horseshoe shaped nucleus. Symptoms may appear before you see the white spots. They include flashing (rubbing their sides against the pond), lethargy, and loss of appetite. The treatment of choice for ich is salt for 10-21 days, depending on the water temperature. Ich takes longer to clear in colder water.
Anchorworm (Lernea) – Anchorworms resemble a short piece of thread coming from beneath a single scale. Koi infected with Anchorworms very often develop ulcer sores due to the damage caused by the worms as they bury into the flesh of the fish. Be aware that anchor worms will not disappear immediately. The treatment may take a week or longer, according to the water temperature.
Fish Lice (argulus) – Fish lice are sometimes mistaken for a small patch of green algae on the fish. After looking closer, you will see that it is a round "bug" that is a little larger than a pencil lead. As with anchor worms, fish lice make little holes in the fish, making them vulnerable to bacterial infections.
Costia – Costia are microscopic parasites that attack the skin and/or gills of the fish. Symptoms include loss of appetite, listlessness, flashing, and excess slime production. Treatment options in order of preference are #2, #1 and #3.
Chilodonella – Like costia, chilodonella are microscopic. They are most usually present in colder water (40-50 degrees). Symptoms are similar to those caused by costia.
Treatment options in order of preference are #2, #1, and #3.
Flukes (Gyrodactylus and dactylogyrus) – Flukes are the most commonly found parasite on koi and goldfish. High numbers can cause serious damage. Symptoms include flashing, gasping at the surface, frayed fins, and death. Most cases of ulcer disease are preceded by fluke infestations.
Treatment options for flukes are different for koi than they are for goldfish. For goldfish, see treatments #5 or #3. For Koi use treatments #6 or #3.
Trichodina – Another microscopic parasite, trichodina is easily identifiable. It resembles a wagon wheel. Fish infected with trichodina often develop a gray film over the body in response to the infestation. Other symptoms include flashing, lethargy, and hanging at the surface.
Treatment options in order of preference are #3 and #1
Bacterial infections – It is important to remember that pathogenic bacteria are always present in our water and on our fish. They are a problem only when the fish are weakened by poor water quality or parasite infestations. So, before attempting to treat a bacterial infection, be sure that you correct any underlying problems first. Symptoms can include fin and tail erosion and fraying, redness of the tail, pectoral or anal fins, and red open sores (ulcer disease). The most effective remedy for most bacterial infections is feeding medicated food containing tetracycline, romet, or oxolinic acid for 10-14 days. Blue Ridge uses a medicated food with oxolinic acid, and it is available for purchase for store use only. Blue Ridge's medicated food is not to be resold or fed to fish intended for human consumption.
Ulcer disease – Ulcer disease is a particularly destructive bacterial disease. Seen on koi and goldfish, it starts out as a red or white pimple and quickly widens into a large hole or ulcer. It can advance all the way into the muscle of the fish. It is very important to catch this disease in its earliest stages. Anchorworms, fish lice, and flukes can all contribute to ulcer disease. Keeping your fish clear of these parasites is very important. Keep affected fish in salted water and feed medicated food. The bath treatment Tricide-Neo can help as well. Medicated food and Tricide-Neo can be found at www.pondrx.com. Valuable fish can warrant antibiotic injections. Contact an experienced veterinarian for assistance.
Viruses
Three viruses are known to affect koi and goldfish.
CARP POX is an unsightly but relatively harmless virus seen occasionally on koi. It has a waxy white appearance. It's mostly seen in colder water temperatures and will many times dissapear as the water warms.
KOI HERPIES VIRUS (KHV) is a very contagious, damaging and deadly disease for koi, many times causing up to 90% loss in just a few days. Symptoms can include respiratory distress, hyperactivity and uncoordination, and severe gill necrosis. It's usually seen when the water temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees. As with most viral diseases there is no known cure. Some people have had success with heat treatment to 86F, but the carrier state of the survivors is currently unknown. Goldfish are unaffected.
SPRING VIREMIA OF CARP (SVC) like the name suggests in seen only in the spring as pond temperatures are rising. It's usually seen between 40 and 60F. This virus is much less damaging than KHV and currently is very rare in the US. SVC produces symptoms typical of those seen with many infections and can include dropsy, hemorhages and/ or darkening of the skin. SVC is classified as a "reportable" disease, so a confirmed diagnosis can lead to heavy handed federal government involvement.