Bacterial ulcer diseases of gold fish and koi

Bacterial infection within koi or gold fish ponds shows itself as one of the following normally ... reddish lesions in the fish's body or fins, swollen eyes, red mouths, red stomach region, unknown death reasons. The result of bacterial infection in koi or gold fish is normally septic wounds such as ulcers.

Antibiotics find a place in the treatment of koi or gold fish but this is best done under close and expert supervision bearing in mind that bio filter operation will be severely compromised. It is often best to treat the gold fish or koi fish in a separate bath rather than in the fish pond itself ... in hospital as it were.

Bacterial infection often results from initial infections by parasites of various kinds such as anchor worms and also poor pond water quality in general which in turn creates further opportunity for parasite growth. This should emphasize the absolute importance of good pond bio filtration accompanied by regular cleaning of bio filter media along with the avoidance of bacteria traps such as the sand in sand filters. Always remember the critical importance of aeration in well cared for koi or gold fish ponds.

Anything that causes stress in a fish pond environment such as high ammonia levels, chemical contamination, low oxygen conditions contribute to the possibility of a koi or goldfish becoming infected.

Fish scraping along roughened surfaces also lead to damage to the outer scales and mucous lining that allow bacteria to get a foothold.

Bacterial infection in gold fish or koi ponds can be avoided to a great extent by using modern products such as Koizyme (previously Lymnozyme) also called Genesyz in the UK. The process of competitive exclusion ensures that Aeromonas and Pseudomonas in particular are starved out of existence rendering the gold fish or koi safe from attack.

Ulcers which are an indication of advanced bacterial attack can be caused by damage to the skin from parasites or exposure to high levels of ammonia or nitrite and/or high or low pH ... bad water quality. Under these circumstances bacteria thrive and the induced stress levels make the gold fish or koi prone to infection.

Treatment of ulcer disease includes the use of antibiotics.

If a single gold fish or koi is affected then that individual may have a specific problem. In the case where numerous gold fish or koi have the disease then there must be underlying problem within the pond.

It is very difficult to treat fish with advanced bacterial infection so early diagnosis is essential to stand a good chance of curing the infected koi or goldfish.

Aeromonas is present in all ponds and only becomes a problem when for whatever reason the conditions within a pond are ripe for attack. Early spring when water conditions are changing is a time when fish are prone to infection because they are coming out of a period of dormancy and are somewhat weakened as a result.