Gill Flukes Skin Flukes of gold fish and koi

The descriptions of the common fish diseases have been deliberately kept simple to assist the understanding of the basic problems that may be encountered. This is a fascinating aspect of pond keeping and massive amounts of resource for further study can be found across the Internet.

The key to disease control is observing gold fish or koi behavior. Any lasting changes to normal behavior should be investigated because this is the first indication that something in the pond might be wrong.

A correct diagnosis normally needs more in-depth examination often using a microscope.

Flukes ...

Freshwater flukes are microscopic in size and are reported as Gill Fluke, and the second class is the Skin fluke. Gill flukes lay eggs and the rate of egg laying is a function of pond temperature ... low temperature slow rate and vice versa. The incubation within the egg is also temperature dependent.

Flukes attach themselves to hosts in the gill region.

Skin flukes produce live young which immediately infect the host. rate of reproduction is very high.

Flukes feed on blood and mucus close to the surface of the fish's gill or skin. Skin flukes are happy to reside in the gills as Gill flukes are to live on the skin. They use hooks and/or suction to remain attached to the host.

Flukes survive in 0.3% salt solutions. The main cause of fish deaths seems to be related to secondary bacterial infection from Aeromonas and Pseudomonas types.

The oxidation and disinfection characteristics of Potassium Permanganate are able to control flukes at the level of 0.2%. Some recommend the use of formalin but this has a severe negative effect upon bio filter bacteria and should be avoided if possible.

Please also check out this UK Pond Doctor site

What to do if you suspect disease problems

Test for Ammonia, Nitrite, and pH at a minimum, and preferably also test for Total Alkalinity and possibly Hardness.

Ammonias are lethal in their own right and worse at higher pH. If dead fish exist this will also create ammonia problem. pH can change overnight if the system loses its buffering capacity (this would show on a test of Total Alkalinity)

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals basic drop type test kits are most accurate according to experts. Review USA on-line pond supplies

In the case of Ammonia accumulation:

If water quality is suspect begin a systematic daily changing of 20-40% of the total volume in the system. But beware of major temperature changes the system. A small addition of salt at .1% level will do no harm.

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