Koi disease is usually present in fish at low levels. Their immune system keeps problems under control. However, when they become anxious this lowers levels of protection. This leaves them open to parasites and viruses. The importance of treating this immediately cannot be stressed enough.
Identifying Koi Disease
Sometimes you can tell just by looking if your koi are becoming ill. One sign is the growth of a fungal infection which has a cotton looking growth. Other times it will take testing to ensure the koi are healthy. Mucus samples from koi that are known to be healthy can be taken. When disease is suspected, take mucus samples from the koi you suspect are sick.
When these two samples are compared you should have your answer. If you suspect koi disease it is important to increase oxygen levels in the pond. The problem causing them stress should be removed. The treatment depends upon the levels to which the disease has progressed.
Treating Koi Disease
The treatment of koi disease will usually be a medication. The type of medication could be beneficial as well as harmful. The chemicals used are harmful to the plant life in your pond. It can also harm the koi by slowing the growth of bacteria that is necessary to maintain a healthy balance in your pond.
Viruses are often the cause of problems for koi. Normally koi will use immune systems to cure themselves. However, there is a solution. Similar to the vaccinations that help children to prevent disease, there are some available for koi as well. The treatment in effect causes a form of the disease and forces the immune system of the koi to fight by building antibodies.
This vaccination process is normally a bath or dip which the koi are put into for a certain period of time. However, there are vaccinations which can be given as well. This is one time you will need to know the weight of the koi to prevent overdosing.
One type of virus common to koi is called koi pox. SVC and KHV are also two types of viruses that affect koi. The cure depends upon the koi themselves. Their immune system is responsible for curing the virus.
Parasites are another form of disease known to affect koi. They are called protozoa and are usually quite easy to cure. The use of malachite green and formalin is required. The protozoa will latch on to the skin of the koi and feed off their skin. The other type is metazoa which in some cases are fish lice, tapeworms and leeches. The treatment is usually salt baths and if that does not seem to work malachite green may be used.
If you are going to have a koi pond the best idea is to keep track of what is going on with your koi. Certain disease has been known to wipe out a whole koi pond. Knowing what to do and how to recognize symptoms is the key to a healthy koi pond.
