Pond Fish Problems
Fish add an aesthetic quality to home-based ponds, making them feel as if they are natural elements to the landscape. Because pond fish can be expensive to purchase and costly to maintain, it is important for them to live out their normal life span. Unfortunately, pond fish are vulnerable to a number of illnesses and infections. Recognizing their signs and understanding their treatments are important to maintaining healthy pond fish for years to come.
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Ich
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Ich, sometimes spelled Ick, is a very common freshwater tropical fish disease that can strike pond fish as well as aquarium fish. It is caused by the Ichthyophthirius multifiliis bacteria, which is a type of parasite. The parasite develops within the fish's skin, exiting after maturity to lay eggs on the fish's body. After hatching, the parasites swim through the water and infect a new host. If left untreated, Ich will damage the fish's skin tissue. This can lead to death directly or allow secondary infections to settle in the damaged area, which can also kill the fish. The most noticeable symptom of Ich is tiny white spots that form on the fish, resembling granules of salt. Infected fish may also scrape their bodies against the sides of the pond and rocks within their habitat in an effort to relieve the discomfort of the parasite. Adding non-iodized salt to the pond is effective in fighting Ich; however, the parasite must be caught during its development stage as its egg cysts are immune to treatment methods.
Anchor worms
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Anchor worms or Lernaea are another type of parasite that attack freshwater pond fish. After anchor worms hatch, they grow in the water until their legs and mouth form. Then they search for a host, burrowing beneath the fish's scales or inside its gills. The anchor worm lives there, leaving only for fertilization and the laying of eggs. Anchor worms look like pieces of jelly-like thread and are visible to the naked eye upon inspection of a fish. As the infection progresses, fish develop noticeable red ulcers in the location of the infection. To treat fish infected with anchor worms, it is necessary to catch the fish and remove the worm with tweezers, ensuring that the head of the worm is completely removed from the fish to prevent secondary infection. After removing the worms from affected fish, the powdered anti-parasite Masoten can be added to the water to kill any eggs or larvae.
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Fish Lice
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Argulus or fish lice are another common problem of pond fish. Fish lice mate on the bodies of their hosts with the female then leaving the host to lay eggs on rocks and plants within the pond. Four days after hatching, the fish lice seek out a host, growing upon its scales, typically behind the fins or on the head. The lice pierce the scales of the fish to reach the blood and nutrients inside the fish. They are easy to spot as dark green or brown spots on the fish, but at a quick glance, they might be mistaken for algae. If observed, it is possible to see fish lice move upon the surface of the fish. Fish suffering from an infestation of fish lice will show signs of discomfort such as rubbing themselves along the sides of the pond and upon any rocks or other hard surfaces. They may grow lethargic, and if left untreated, they will develop open sores on their bodies. Liquid Dimlin fish medication is effective in the eradication of fish lice and should be used as soon as possible after the infection is spotted
Costia
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Costia are freshwater-dwelling parasites, but unlike other types, they reproduce asexually by dividing into two. Because of this, Costia can multiply at a rapid pace, causing clear water to become heavily infested in a matter of days or even hours. When Costia become abundant in the water, they begin to attack fish, causing their bodies to produce excess mucus or fish slime on their bodies. As this slime builds, it gives the flesh of the fish a milky white appearance, which is the most noticeable sign of Costia infestation. Fish who are infected may also exhibit a lack of appetite and become inactive. Costia can be treated with Dimlin and other liquid parasite medications for pond water. Some experts suggest the use of copper (malachite green) to combat Costia most effectively.
Flukes
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The worm-like parasite fluke is the most common ailment of goldfish and koi fish. Flukes are long, thin, semi-transparent organisms that have a series of hooks on one end. These hooks are used to attach to their fish host in order to access its nutrients. There are two main types of flukes, classified by what part of the fish they attack, namely gill and scale flukes. The symptoms of flukes are more difficult to detect because they mimic other types of fish illnesses, including rubbing, lethargy, and red irritated sections of skin. The only sure way to tell if a fish is suffering from flukes is to take a skin scrape or gill biopsy. Once it is determined that flukes are the cause, it is necessary to treat them with alternating salt and quaternary ammonium baths. Flukes are difficult to kill and will require several treatments.
Ulcer Disease
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Ulcer disease can be caused by a number of factors, including bacteria or secondary infection from damage caused by parasites. Ulcer disease begins as small white pimple-like marks on the fish. These pimples grow in size, eventually breaking open in the middle to reveal bright red sores. Ulcer disease is very contagious among fish and should be treated in consultation with a veterinarian. If an entire pond contracts ulcer disease it is likely that some of the fish will not be able to be saved.
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