Guarding Against Sick Fish
Fish disease and death can be very frustrating. Unfortunately,
it even causes some people to give up on fish-keeping altogether.
But a little knowledge along with some basic precautions can be
very powerful in the health of our goldfish and koi. Maintaining
good water quality is extremely important. It's also important to
make sure you are starting with healthy fish. If you purchase sick
fish, it's going to be an uphill battle at best. Buy your fish from
a dealer you trust. If you are keeping high-dollar fish then trust
is not good enough. You should set up a quarantine pond for new
fish before mixing them with your other fish.
If a health problem does arise, your first step should be to test
the water (you do this once a week anyway, right?).
You may also be interested in our article on the Causes
of Fish Stress.
Fish
Treatment Products Section of our online catalog.
| Symptoms |
Possible Cause |
Treatment |
| Cotton-like growths |
Fungus |
Medi-Koi,
Microbe-Lift BSDT |
| Open wounds |
Bacterial Infection |
Melafix,
Medi-Koi,
Debride |
| Gasping at surface |
Oxygen deficiency |
More aeration, fewer fish |
| Bulging eyes |
Pop-eye, Bacterial Infection |
Melafix,
Medi-Koi |
| Swollen body and scales protruding
from body |
Dropsy, Bacterial Infection |
Melafix
and Medi-Koi
(mainly for the other fish
as usually it is too late for this fish) |
| Fins deteriorating |
Finrot, bacterial infection |
Melafix,
Medi-Koi |
| Floats upside down, trouble
swimming upright |
Swimbladder disorder |
Sinking food |
"Flashing" through
the water (sudden sideways
bursts) or jumping |
- Parasite infection
- Water toxin
|
- Salt
level to .3%*, Microbe-Lift BSDT,
Prazi
Pond
- Water Change
|
| Colored fish turning white
|
Loss of pigment |
More sunlight |
| Swollen gills |
Flukes, parasite infection |
Salt
level to .3%*,
Microbe-Lift BSDT,
Prazi
Pond |
| Lying on pond bottom |
Flukes, parasite infection |
Salt
level to .3%*,
Microbe-Lift BSDT,
Prazi
Pond |
| Scales raised (on only part
of the body) |
Parasite infection |
Salt
level to .3%*,
Microbe-Lift BSDT,
Prazi
Pond |
| Strong red veins in the fins |
- Bacterial Infection
- Parasite Infection
- Ammonia or Nitrite poisoning
|
- Melafix,
Medi-Koi
- Salt
level to .3%*
- Water Change, Ammo-Lock
|
| White Spots (pinhole size
only) |
Ich, Parasite infection |
Salt
level to .3%*, Microbe-Lift BSDT |
*This level of salinity is not recommended with
plants in the pond.
Index of Fish Related Articles
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