Carry out a skin scrape and examine mucus samples under a microscope from at least 3 different fish to find out if they have a parasite infestation.
A cheap but good microscope we recommend: cuttlebrookkoi...
Fish normally carry the odd parasite on their body without any ill effects, however, under certain conditions, such as when the fish is stressed, water quality is poor, or the environment is dirty, parasites can multiply until the fish becomes infested and unwell as a result. Should an infestation be identified, it is not just an individual fish that will need to be treated, but the whole pond along with the whole community of Koi in the pond.
Equipment needed:
-Microscope
-Slides
-Net for catching your Koi
-Bowl or floating basket for holding your Koi whilst carrying out a scrape
-A good Koi Health book with pictures and descriptions of Koi parasites
Once you have identified which parasite you have, treat it accordingly.
Common parasites and their treatment
Trichodina
Treatment: Malachite and Formalin
(We recommend using separate bottles of Formalin and Malachite Green rather than blends as blends can often be weaker than is needed).
Dosage: Follow the instructions on the bottles (not suitable for use at low temperatures).
Costia
Treatment: Formalin and Malachite Green
(We recommend using separate bottles of Formalin and Malachite Green rather than blends as blends can often be weaker than is needed).
Dosage: Follow the instructions on the bottles (not suitable for use at low temperatures).
Alternatively (not to be used in conjunction with Formalin and Malachite Green)
PDV Salt
Dosage: 0.9% (use a salt meter) in the pond and maintain that level for one week before slowly reducing with your regular weekly water changes. (You can use salt one week after dosing with Formalin and Malachite Green).
See our article When and How to use Salt for more information.
White Spot
Treatment: Formalin and Malachite Green
(We recommend using separate bottles of Formalin and Malachite Green rather than blends as blends can often be weaker than is needed).
Dosage: Follow the instructions on the bottle (not suitable for use at low temperatures).
Re-treat every three weeks for three doses.
Alternatively (not to be used in conjunction with Formalin and Malachite Green)
PDV Salt
At 0.75% (use a salt meter) in the pond and maintained at that level continuously for six weeks before reducing slowly with weekly water changes.
See our article When and How to use Salt for more information.
Chilodonella
Treatment: Formalin and Malachite Green
(We recommend using separate bottles of Formalin and Malachite Green rather than blends as blends can often be weaker than is needed).
Dosage: Follow the instructions on the bottle (not suitable for use at low temperatures).
Gill Flukes
Treatment: Flukesolve
Dosage: Follow the instructions on the packet
Body Flukes
Treatment: Flukesolve
Dosage: Follow the instructions on the packet
Parasite infestations often occur in ponds which are poorly maintained, where the fish become stressed, and where areas of waste have been allowed to build up in the system. Making sure your pond stays clean at all times will reduce the number of parasite outbreaks that occur.
For more information, please refer to our website: cuttlebrookkoi...
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