Anchor Worm
Crustacean parasite, Lernaea - Anchor
worm is a common parasite on our Koi
which is clearly visible to the naked eye
and can reach 10 to 12mm. The parasite
burrows its head into the Koi's tissue,
under a scale and only the body and tail
are normally visible.
The juvenile stages settle in the gills of
Koi, when they mature they mate and
the male leaves the Koi, the fertilized
female settles on the body of the Koi
and continues to grow, becoming the
familiar worm shape.
The female buries into the skin and underlying tissue to hold on. The damage caused can become a target for bacterial or
fungal infection which can spread.
lernaea lay eggs which can lay undetected in the pond and can hatch when conditions and water temperatures are right.
Treatment is by manual removal of the parasite with tweezers under anesthetic, ensuring that the whole parasite is removed.
To be sure of complete removal, dip a cotton bud in strong potassium permanganate solution and dab the worm with this
solution whereupon it will release its grip immediately. Pond treatments include Dimilin or Paradex.
fungal infection which can spread.
lernaea lay eggs which can lay undetected in the pond and can hatch when conditions and water temperatures are right.
Treatment is by manual removal of the parasite with tweezers under anesthetic, ensuring that the whole parasite is removed.
To be sure of complete removal, dip a cotton bud in strong potassium permanganate solution and dab the worm with this
solution whereupon it will release its grip immediately. Pond treatments include Dimilin or Paradex.
Costia
Costia is a minute Flagellate with 3-4 flagella. It affects both the skin and gills of
Koi, and reproduces itself by binary fission. Infestations of this parasite can
appear very rapidly indeed, and Koi suffering infestations exhibit the classic
symptoms of lethargy, clamped fins, rubbing and flashing and the skin can take
on a grey white opaqueness.
Costia normally only affects fish that have already been debilitated by some
other cause, and can often be seen on Koi as a secondary parasite.
A high magnification must be used to view these parasites (300 x) and staining is
recommended for positive identification.
Recommended treatments include Potassium Permanganate, Acriflavine and
strong salt baths of 3% ( 4 and one half oz. per gallon )
Costia is a minute Flagellate with 3-4 flagella. It affects both the skin and gills of
Koi, and reproduces itself by binary fission. Infestations of this parasite can
appear very rapidly indeed, and Koi suffering infestations exhibit the classic
symptoms of lethargy, clamped fins, rubbing and flashing and the skin can take
on a grey white opaqueness.
Costia normally only affects fish that have already been debilitated by some
other cause, and can often be seen on Koi as a secondary parasite.
A high magnification must be used to view these parasites (300 x) and staining is
recommended for positive identification.
Recommended treatments include Potassium Permanganate, Acriflavine and
strong salt baths of 3% ( 4 and one half oz. per gallon )
Cotton Wool Disease
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris) or Cotton Wool Disease is another bacterial
infection. The common name comes from the white tufts that develop around the
mouth and spread to the body and fins, often leading to ulcers and a thin
appearance.
Often mistaken for a fungal infection because of its mold-like lesions, Columnaris
is a common bacterial infection in cultured fish, particularly livebearing fish and
catfish. Its name is derived from columnar shaped bacteria, which are present in
virtually all pond environments.
The bacteria are most likely to infect fish that have been stressed by such
conditions as poor water quality, inadequate diet, or handling and shipping.
Columnaris can enter the fish through the gills, mouth, or via small wounds on the
skin. The disease is highly contagious and may be spread through contaminated
nets, specimen containers, and even food.
Treatment with anti bacterial medicine is usually effective.
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris) or Cotton Wool Disease is another bacterial
infection. The common name comes from the white tufts that develop around the
mouth and spread to the body and fins, often leading to ulcers and a thin
appearance.
Often mistaken for a fungal infection because of its mold-like lesions, Columnaris
is a common bacterial infection in cultured fish, particularly livebearing fish and
catfish. Its name is derived from columnar shaped bacteria, which are present in
virtually all pond environments.
The bacteria are most likely to infect fish that have been stressed by such
conditions as poor water quality, inadequate diet, or handling and shipping.
Columnaris can enter the fish through the gills, mouth, or via small wounds on the
skin. The disease is highly contagious and may be spread through contaminated
nets, specimen containers, and even food.
Treatment with anti bacterial medicine is usually effective.
Dropsy
Raised scales (rather like a pine cone) and eyes standing out from the head.
Dropsy itself is not a disease, but rather a result of some other cause. Dropsy is
a term given to the swelling that occurs internally in the fish. There are multiple
possible causes. Sometimes it's not contageous, but sick fish should be isolated
and treated since determining the actual cause may be impossible, and also
because this will be easier on the fish.
The fish's body will become swelled with fluid it is unable to expel. Eventually the
swelling will cause the scales to raise, giving the fish what is called the
"pine-cone" appearance.
Diagnosis, One of these situations may be the cause:
Sudden swelling: A bacterial infection will cause internal bleeding.
Slow swelling: Growing tumors, or even parasites, in the fish may cause it to
swell.
Slow swelling: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Highly contageous!
Bacterial dropsy is infectious so treat with an anti bacterial remedy and if
possible isolate affected Koi.
Raised scales (rather like a pine cone) and eyes standing out from the head.
Dropsy itself is not a disease, but rather a result of some other cause. Dropsy is
a term given to the swelling that occurs internally in the fish. There are multiple
possible causes. Sometimes it's not contageous, but sick fish should be isolated
and treated since determining the actual cause may be impossible, and also
because this will be easier on the fish.
The fish's body will become swelled with fluid it is unable to expel. Eventually the
swelling will cause the scales to raise, giving the fish what is called the
"pine-cone" appearance.
Diagnosis, One of these situations may be the cause:
Sudden swelling: A bacterial infection will cause internal bleeding.
Slow swelling: Growing tumors, or even parasites, in the fish may cause it to
swell.
Slow swelling: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Highly contageous!
Bacterial dropsy is infectious so treat with an anti bacterial remedy and if
possible isolate affected Koi.
Finrot and Ulcers
A number of bacteria are associated with finrot, lesions and internal
hemorrhaging, notably Aeromonas and Pseudomonas. Ulcers usually start at
the site of an injury, the bacteria then infect it causing further damage, and
fungal infection can also occur.
Such holes result in osmoregulatory problems, leading to damaged kidneys and
death if not treated. It is worth adding a weak salt solution to the pond as well as
anti bacterial remedy, a concentration of 3gm per litter will help to restore the
osmotic balance and reduce strain on the kidneys (make sure that the salt is
fully dissolved before you add it to the pond).
Finrot is easily noticeable, the fins and/or tail look chewed and are red at the
edges. Secondary bacterial and fungal infections can develop.
A number of bacteria are associated with finrot, lesions and internal
hemorrhaging, notably Aeromonas and Pseudomonas. Ulcers usually start at
the site of an injury, the bacteria then infect it causing further damage, and
fungal infection can also occur.
Such holes result in osmoregulatory problems, leading to damaged kidneys and
death if not treated. It is worth adding a weak salt solution to the pond as well as
anti bacterial remedy, a concentration of 3gm per litter will help to restore the
osmotic balance and reduce strain on the kidneys (make sure that the salt is
fully dissolved before you add it to the pond).
Finrot is easily noticeable, the fins and/or tail look chewed and are red at the
edges. Secondary bacterial and fungal infections can develop.
Fish Lice (Argulus)
Argulus another crustacean parasite, round and up to 1cm wide. They have a
sucker to hold on to the Koi with needle-like mouth parts which they stick into the
Koi and inject a toxin. This causes intense irritation to the Koi and they scratch
and jump and can cause bacterial infection.
If they infect the gills they cause severe damage and often death. Most
antiparasite remedies will not kill fish lice, a strong chemical is needed which is
not freely on sale. Ask a professional dealer or vet.
Argulus another crustacean parasite, round and up to 1cm wide. They have a
sucker to hold on to the Koi with needle-like mouth parts which they stick into the
Koi and inject a toxin. This causes intense irritation to the Koi and they scratch
and jump and can cause bacterial infection.
If they infect the gills they cause severe damage and often death. Most
antiparasite remedies will not kill fish lice, a strong chemical is needed which is
not freely on sale. Ask a professional dealer or vet.
Gill Maggots
Gill maggots are the mature females of the parasitic crustacean Ergasilus.
Ergasilus (gill maggots) will appear as grayish black and white parasites several
millimeters long infesting the gills.
Heavy infestations can cause severe damage, eroding the gill filaments and
allowing secondary infections to develop.
Gill maggots are the mature females of the parasitic crustacean Ergasilus.
Ergasilus (gill maggots) will appear as grayish black and white parasites several
millimeters long infesting the gills.
Heavy infestations can cause severe damage, eroding the gill filaments and
allowing secondary infections to develop.
Saprolegnia Fungus
One of the most common fungal infections of Koi. The fungal spores will grow
anywhere on the Koi, including the gills, initially germinating on dead tissue.
Their threadlike hyphae release digestive juices which break down the tissue
so the fungus can absorb it, as the fungus grows these juices start breaking
down living tissue.
Fungus on the body appears as cotton wool like growths, it is hard to tell if a
Koi has it in the gills, but if it hangs at the surface gulping for air it is likely.
Carp pox. A virus that produces solid waxy lumps on Koi. It will not kill Koi and
is generally harmless, but can look unsightly. It is most often present in small
Koi and in cold weather, clearing up disappearing when Koi grow and in the
spring when water temperatures rise.
Please feel free to contact Dr Grecos koi and supplies should you require
any guidance with your project.
One of the most common fungal infections of Koi. The fungal spores will grow
anywhere on the Koi, including the gills, initially germinating on dead tissue.
Their threadlike hyphae release digestive juices which break down the tissue
so the fungus can absorb it, as the fungus grows these juices start breaking
down living tissue.
Fungus on the body appears as cotton wool like growths, it is hard to tell if a
Koi has it in the gills, but if it hangs at the surface gulping for air it is likely.
Carp pox. A virus that produces solid waxy lumps on Koi. It will not kill Koi and
is generally harmless, but can look unsightly. It is most often present in small
Koi and in cold weather, clearing up disappearing when Koi grow and in the
spring when water temperatures rise.
Please feel free to contact Dr Grecos koi and supplies should you require
any guidance with your project.
| Dr. Greco's Koi and Supplies P.O. Box 788 Mount Sinai, N.Y. 11766 Located on Long Island in Suffolk County In the Township of Brookhaven |
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