Pond fish with ulcers..Part 2

[George&Ade]

Hi..Sorry to start a new topic but just wanted to make sure the people who kindly replied earlier seen these pics.
I do have an ultra violet light running (25 watt)
Tested water agin today and its more or less perfect.....(to make doubly sure,i took a sample to my local garden centre and they have confirmed that the levels are perfect)
From the information i gave the assistant(has been involved with ponds for almost 25 years and basically was as helpfull as possible)hes suggests to use a course of "Melafix" (have read up on this product on internet,and im sure the experts here will know what it is)
Anyway,just before i put in the first dose of Melafix,i managed to get a few pictures of the infected fish.
The first one shows the fish (top right hand corner) with the sore/ulcer on rear.

 

[George&Ade]

this one shows same fish on right of pic

 

[George&Ade]

Same fish....(sorry.....but couldnt seem to get the other ones to pose long enough...lol)

 

[George&Ade]

Lastly is a picture of the orange kio with the pinkish sore on its back.

Thanks for looking at these pics

 

[black angel]

thanks for the pics.
in the spring did you notice any fish scratching or catch them flashing through the water ? if so then a disease called epistylis can then go on to cause ulcers in the summer.

i dont think its bacterial septiceamia as i dont see any reddening of the body or streaking in the fins.

looking at other diseases to me it closely resembles furunculosis which is an ulcerative disease of goldfish. its bacterial based, and the bacteria is aeromonas.
if you have red streaking through the fins then thats the septicemia side of it and results in dropsy and other nasties.
even though your water tests great for the usual tests bacteria cant be tested for and though you will always have good and bad bacteria in the pond it seems the bad bacteria have gained a foothold. do you do water changes on the pond at all and if so how much and when?

melafix will heal the sores as i have previously mentioned but if you dont find the root cause then the melafix will be wasted. as far as i know it has antiseptic properties in it.

i would advise consulting a vet for a better diagnosis.

 

[George&Ade]

hi black angel.
I have an indoor aquarium which i do regular water changes (light gravel cleans + 10% water change weekly),but didnt realise it was neccessary to do the same to ponds as well.Or is this just because i may have a build up of "nasty bacteria"?
About once a week i clean filter sponges in pond water,then do a "backwash"of filter,then replace approx.5% of the water.
Also i top up occasionaly (in this heat) approx.1-2 inches due to evaporation.
All except the shubumkin were new fish purchased starting in late March (adding about 2 per week)so i cant say i noticed any of them rubbing or flicking.
If water changes would be best for the pond,may i ask how much and how often?

 

[black angel]

Bribones would be the best person to ask or anyone with a pond really, i only know about fish and those kept in aquariums. I would look at it as you would an aquarium and in the summer anyway when bacteria is high i would be doing at least 10% every fortnight but as i said i dont know. Maybe the bottom needs a good clean as well.
With bacteria running high you may need to do a lot more and more often. As long as you never do more than 50% each time then your filters will be fine. Sounds tedious and a lot of hard work but unless you can get a heap of stuff from a vet to kill whats in the water then i dont know what else you can do.
And as i said taking a fish to a vet may be your best choice as to get a better diagnosis. Where are you in the country and i will see if i can find a fish vet close to you.

Is there any way you can catch the infected fish and give them a salt bath?
I know in america you can put a cream on called neosporin to help the wounds heal but in this country i dont know, will go see if i can find something that will help.

For a salt bath if you have a tank or anything big enough then salt it to 1.5%, which is 1 and a half teaspoons per gallon and leave them in it for 10 minutes. Do this for each fish for 3 days but if they get distressed then take them back out. I dont see any problems with it as they all look really strong fish.

just saw you are in Bristol, so will go check for fish vets.

 

[black angel]

This is the nearest coldwater vet to you
Sharon Redrobe, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA. 0117 974 7300

 

[George&Ade]

Hey black angel....many thanks for all that info...very kind of you.

I think every time i clean sponges in filters i must be changing about 5-10% of the water.....maybe ill increase it slightly.

Today is day 3 of the "melafix" medication,and i can actually see a slight improvment in the gold koi woth the pink sore on its back.

I agree i do have to get to the root of the problem,and i think i will continue with the "melafix" for a few more days,and then maybe find out some more info on the anti parasite or anti bacteria solutions.

The salt bath sounds like a good idae,but according to my local pet store,trying to catch them every couple of days may well induce even more stress,which may be the root of my problem in the first place.....im not sure.

I dont want to upset any avid fishkeepers here,but i dont think a visit to the vet to cure these fish would be a good thing due to the fact of cost.

I love my fish both in pond and aquarium,but im afraid i would have to draw the line somewhere,especially if these could be cured,only for the same thing to happen to the others.

Fingers crossed this melafix will help to heal them,more water changes,and info on anti bacteria meds will do the trick.

Many thanks once again

 

[bribones]

hi there

treat the pond as you would your tank and you cant go far wrong 1/3rd water changes every couple of months will dilute any nastys in there dont worry bout the good stuff as it will regain its foothold

salt dips are a good cure but can sometimes be stressfull for the fish if there over exposed ,keep going with the melafix and maybe have an interval then treat again to be sure

youl notice youl have less problems over the cooler months and can reduce the water changes to 1/4 or less but during the summer you have to stay on top of the weather (heat) you dont have to visit the vet use the contact info angel gave you and just enquire they may settle for a water sample and maybe some droppings and a swab to do some tests for you

 

[George&Ade]

O.kbribones......many thanks.....and to you black angel