 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.
Costia normally only affects fish that have already been debilitated by some other cause, and can often be seen on Koi as a secondary parasite.
Costia is one of the many fish diseases that are caused by protozoa. It is a somewhat rare disease that is relatively easy to cure if your fish becomes infected by it. There are several treatments for this disease but it is of course preferable to prevent the protozoa from ever infecting you fish by keeping your facilities clean and your fish healthy and well fed, while at the same time doing what is possible to avoid introducing diseases and parasites into the pond.
Treatment options in order of preference are #2, #1 and #3. |