Disease Control Outline
Fish diseases are caused by bacteria that are either air borne or live in water. It only makes sense that controlling the quality of pond water is the first step in preventing fish diseases. In our effort to prevent diseases in our fish stock, our staff performs a daily check of pond and tank water readings for Ammonia, PH, Alkalinity, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Chloramines.

Also, upon arrival of new shipments, we quarantine our fish for a period of time. In doing so, we can quickly identify sick fish and remove them before they can infect the rest of the stock. This maintenance ensures a healthy stock of fish that we can provide to our customers.

Below is a listing of the top 7 diseases and possible cures:

AEROMONAS
Aeromonas bacteria, the cause of unsightly open sores and ulcers in koi and goldfish, is always present in pond water. It causes bacterial infections in fish when pond conditions are less than ideal. This includes, but is not limited to, dead organics on the bottom of the pond (leaves), uneaten food, dead fish, parasite infestations on the fish (flukes, lice, anchor worm). If parasites are determined to be present, aeromonas will enter the fish and cause infection.

An aeromonas infection is manifest first as an area of reddish raised scales which then opens up into a bloody ulcer at the advanced stage. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other fish, causing a massive fish kill.

Treatment for a beginning stage aeromonas infection includes SALT to 0.6% (6 pounds per 100 gallons), anti-bacterial medicated food, and MELAFIX. Treatment for an advanced open wound includes SALT, MEDICATED FOOD, MELAFIX and INJECTIONS of either BAYTRIL or AMIKACIN. Injectable antibiotics such as those listed may be obtained from your veterinarian.

ANCHOR WORMS
Anchor worm, scientifically known as Lernea, are parasites that attach themselves to the body of koi and goldfish. In the warm water months, they can multiply very rapidly and cause a massive fish kill within several days if left untreated. Symptoms include stick-like worms hanging off the body of the fish, lethargy, and clamped fins. The infected fish will appear drugged and be very sluggish.

Treatment for a gill fluke infestation includes SALT up to 0.6% (6 pounds per 100 gallons), anti-parasitic medicated food, and DIMILIN. Dimilin is dosed at the rate of 1 TABLESPOON per 60 GALLONS or 1/2 CUP per 480 GALLONS. Treat ONCE and if another treatment is necessary, wait 14 DAYS before 2nd treatment. After the 2nd treatment, wait 14 DAYS before performing a 25% WATER CHANGE. Remember to remove any activated charcoal in the system before beginning treatment.

COSTIA
Costia is a parasite that attaches itself to the body and fins of koi and goldfish. In the warm water months, they can multiply very rapidly and cause a massive fish kill within several days if left untreated. Symptoms include massive and rapid die-off of fish, reddened fins, dificulty breathing, and excess mucus production, causing the fish to be covered in a whitish film.

Treatment for a costia infestation includes SALT up to 0.6% (6 pounds per 100 gallons), anti-parasitic medicated food, and QUICK CURE. Quick cure is dosed at the rate of 1 OUNCE per 500 GALLONS once a day for 3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. Skip the 4th day, TREAT on the 5th DAY and on the 6th DAY perform a 25% WATER CHANGE. SALT CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH QUICK CURE - CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER.

DROPSY
Dropsy in a kidney infection that can affect both koi and goldfish. It causes the fish's scales to stand up like a pine cone and the fish will be completely swollen. Once the fish looks like this, the infection is too far gone to cure. A diagnosis of dropsy is almost always FATAL. However, if the fish is to be saved, salt baths, antibiotic injections and ANTI-BACTERIAL medicated food.

Fish diagnosed with dropsy should be removed from the main system and quarantined so as to not pass the disease to the other fish. Dropsy is relatively difficult to pass from fish to fish unless an infected fish is left to die in the main system and the other fish eat the dead body.

FISH LICE
Fish lice, scientifically known as Argulus, are easily visible parasites that attach themselves to the body and fins of koi and goldfish. In the warm water months, they can multiply very rapidly and cause a massive fish kill within several days if left untreated. Symptoms include the fish gasping for air at the surface, lethargy, clamped fins and small dot-like clear parasites on the fish. The infected fish will appear drugged and be very sluggish.

Treatment for a fish lice infestation includes SALT up to 0.6% (6 pounds per 100 gallons), anti-parasitic medicated food, and LIFE BEARER. Life Bearer is dosed at the rate of 1 OUNCE per 500 GALLONS once a day for 3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. Skip the 4th day, TREAT on the 5th DAY and on the 6th DAY perform a 25% WATER CHANGE. Remember that when a water change has been performed and salt was previously used, the salt will need to be replaced if so desired.

FLUKES
Gill flukes, scientifically known as Dactylogyrus, are microscopic parasites that attach themselves to the gill plates of koi and goldfish. In the warm water months, they can multiply very rapidly and cause a massive fish kill within several days if left untreated. Symptoms include the fish gasping for air at the surface (especially under the waterfall area), lethargy, and clamped fins. The infected fish will appear drugged and be very sluggish.

Treatment for a gill fluke infestation includes SALT up to 0.6% (6 pounds per 100 gallons), anti-parasitic medicated food, and LIFE BEARER. Life Bearer is dosed at the rate of 1 OUNCE per 500 GALLONS once a day for 3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. Skip the 4th day, TREAT on the 5th DAY and on the 6th DAY perform a 25% WATER CHANGE. Remember that when a water change has been performed and salt was previously used, the salt will need to be replaced if so desired.

ICH
Ich is a parasite that attaches itself to the body and fins of koi and goldfish. Especially In cold water or in rapid temperature fluctuations, they can multiply very rapidly and cause a massive fish kill within several days if left untreated. Symptoms include massive and rapid die-off of fish, dificulty breathing, and hundreds of tiny white dots, causing the fish to look like it has been salted with a salt shaker.

Treatment for an ich infestation includes SALT up to 0.6% (6 pounds per 100 gallons), anti-parasitic medicated food, and QUICK CURE. Quick cure is dosed at the rate of 1 OUNCE per 500 GALLONS once a day for 3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. Skip the 4th day, TREAT on the 5th DAY and on the 6th DAY perform a 25% WATER CHANGE. SALT CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH QUICK CURE - CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER.

The Hospital Tank  (Temporary Fish Quarters)
For the smaller enthusiasts a 5-10 gallon tub can be used to treat small fish. For the avid Koi hobbyist a much larger container is advised, possibly a 100-150 gallon Rubbermaid tank. When treating a sick fish please allow the fish to be left alone. Stress is a leading culprit for failure. The less stress you place on your fish the better. PATIENCE is a must.