Common Diseases of Goldfish in Garden Ponds

There a large number of potential disease that can infect goldfish but there are some more common ones that have been extensively researched and for which treatments are available.

Goldfish that are eating normally and not showing signs of undue stress or flashing. In other words behaving normally as you have observed them over time are disease free. When things don't seem right and especially if all the fish in the pond are showing similar symptoms then water quality is probably the cause and needs to rectified by ensuring the biofilter is working and that nitrate levels are not too high. Feeding should always be stopped when such distress signs are noticed.

Which Common Diseases Effect Goldfish?

Often a microscope needs to used to view a mucous sample before a diagnosis can be made. Below are some of the more well known diseases that effect goldfish.There are many diseases, some of which can only be positively identified by taking a mucus scrape and viewing the sample under a microscope. Very rarely though will a fish only be plagued with a microscopic disease, but will more than likely show other visible symptoms. The most common diseases that can be diagnosed by the naked eye are as follows:-

1. Finrot. This a bacterial fish disease that attacks tail and fin tissues and unless treated may lead to fish death. In high quality pond water this disease finds it difficult to get a foothold.

2. Fungus. Fungus diseases also known as cotton wool disease in goldfish show as white blotches and can appear anywhere on the goldfish. Fungal spores exist in most ponds and those with organic build up will have far more than a clean pond. Fish with scale damage are prone to attack by fungus spores.

3. White Spot or Ich. Characterised by small blister-like raised lesions or white spots along the body and fins. It may also appear in the goldfish's gills without appearing on the body. It is potentially deadly to a complete fish population and therefore needs attention as soon as possible. Repeated treatments of the pond water for treatments to be effective. are necessary.

4. Ulcers. Caused by bacteria such as aeromonas or pseudomonas and normally occur on the sides of goldfish. Once a fish has a well established ulcer it is normally untreatable and will die. Wounds on the fish from scraping or parasite attack allow offending bacteria to take hold. Viresco or Koizyme can keep levels of aeromonas down reducing the risk of ulcer disease.

5. Parasites. Ergasilus, Lernea (Anchor worm) and Argulus (Fish Louse) are the main parasites effecting fish. Most parasites are only visible under a microscope although Anchor worm and Fish Louse are visible to the naked eye on close inspection. Parasite attack is often a precursor to ulcer and other bacterial diseases.

Treatment?

Finrot, Fungus, Ich and Parasites can be treated in pond using treatments available at any fish shop. Careful attention has to made to knowing pond volume so that effective dosing can be carried out.

You can expect to see disease problems more in spring as water water warms up bacterial populations build and fish that have overwintered are lacking in condition due to not eating for maybe months

Please also check out this UK Pond Doctor site

Common Diseases of Goldfish in Garden Ponds

Which Common Diseases Effect Goldfish?

Treatment?

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