sick koi

[steve s]

Hi all. I went to my pond earlier and noticed one of my koi on its own. I looked closely and noticed its mouth seemed to look odd and its scales looked different. Its not eating but all my other fish are fine. Can anybody identify what the fish hads and how to go about treating it? All ammonia nitrate readings are ideal. Ph is slightly high at 8 but I have taken the reading at about 19:00 when they are usually a little higher. Ive carried out a 10% water change for good measure. Help!!!

 

[DrDave]

Is that inflamation on the mouth?

 

[steve s]

All I can say is it looks like a graze or as if the skin is coming off. It wasnt like this yesterday so what ever its pretty rapid.

 

[DrDave]

If you have a QT and antibiotics, treat him now and avoid infection.

 

[steve s]

What is likely to be a cause for this? I was going to get some medicine and treat the pond tomorrow.

 

[DrDave]

It could be from running into something. It is hard to say.

 

[steve s]

And is it normal for the fish to exibit loner/ill characteristics after such an event?
Thanks for your advice will have a go tomorrow and share the outcome.

 

[DrDave]

There are dozens if not hundreds of possibilities. You are there with the Koi, we only have a photo and your feedback. My advice is primarily a proactive rather than reactive measure. It is not uncommon for animals to isolate themselves when injured or dieing.

 

[fishin4cars]

In the second pic I see two spots that I'm questioning what they are. one is right behind the mouth, the other under the pectoral fin (Fin Behind the gill) that looks to be under the fin. The one behind the mouth almost looks like a fish louse. ( Parasite) I see the redness to the mouth, I would treat with antibiotics as well, If possible with food or in a tank that can be medicated and not the whole pond unless absolutely necessary

 

[steve s]

I took koi to the local aquatic centre today. The guy straight away said it was an infection caused possibly by a bump or something. I hadnt noticed but the tail is also red so presumably the infections run straight through him. I bathed his nose in medication, and treated my pond for parasites and bacteria. I was told to further bath the fish every day-on its own- for a maximum of 30mins. Fingers crossed Ive caught it in time. He looks a bit messy but hes still swimming around and not on his own in a corner which makes me feel optomistic. I dont think the guy at the aquatic centre was holding his breath though, bascically he said under 8" and the fish are not very hardy!!

 

[fishin4cars]

8" koi are a lot tougher than he might think. I've treated several and out of I would say a dozen I have lost only one due to illness. However, I don't treat my pond. I treat the fish. I catch it one time place it in a holding tank, or pond and treat it from there, The redness in the tail is a sign of water condition problem in many cases, so be sure and monitor your water test very closely, Especially since you have now treated the pond with not one but two medications.