HOW TO TREAT BACTERIAL ULCERS IN KOI AND GOLDFISH

Ulcers (red sores or spots) are fairly common in koi goldfish ponds and can be caused by a several different factors.

Ulcers are caused by bacteria (Aeromonas sp.)that have penetrated through the koi’s defences (mucous (slime coat), skin and scales). Ulcers often start out very small, but if left untreated can become large enough to kill the fish.

When treating ulcers it is important determine what likely caused it in the first place. In most cases ulcers are caused by parasitic infection,  poor water quality and even spawning.

To skip right to OUR SUGGESTED TREATMENT REGIMENT CLICK HERE

Causes:

• Parasitic Infection - parasites such as anchor worm, flukes, costia even ick are common precursors to bacterial ulcers. These parasites break through the mucous and skin of the fish leaving an entry path for bacteria.

• Water Quality – is another very common cause of ulcers. When fish are exposed to poor water quality (high ammonia or nitrites) they become stressed and their immune systems are weakened. As a result, parasites and bacteria have a better chance of breaking through the fish’s defences.

• Spawning – is also a reoccurring cause of ulcers. If you have ever witnessed your fish spawning you soon realize that it can get quite rough, especially for the females. Fish often lose scales and get scrapes from rubbing against pots, rocks or pumps in the pond. Spawning can last 3 or 4 days which can take its toll on the fish as well as the water quality, another great chance for bacteria to invade.

If you determine you have an parasite problem in the pond, it is important to treat it immediately as well as the ulcers.

There are many different treatments for ulcers, some work better than others, but you will always have the best results if you catch it early and treat immediately.

Treatments:

• Injections – Baytril, Nuflor

• Antibiotic Pond treatments – Oxolium powder, Bifuran, Melafix

• Topical Treatment – iodine, potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, bio-bandage

• Medicated Foods – Blackwater Creek Medicated Food

• Dips or Baths – Neocide 3

Injections

Although injections are the most effective way to treat bacterial infections in koi and goldfish, they are not very practical for the average hobbyist, so I won’t go into more details here.

Topical Treatments

These are often very effective treatments for ulcers. Typically, one uses iodine, potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide to kill the bacteria, clean and cauterize the wound.

Antibiotic Pond Treatments

Treating a pond with antibiotic sounds like a great way to combat bacterial infections, but it does have some drawbacks. They can be very expensive in larger ponds and they will not only kill the bad bacteria in the ulcer but also the good bacteria in the filter, resulting in poor water quality. This is where natural remedies such as Melafix works well. It is debatable whether or not Melafix is truly ‘antibiotic’, because it does not adversely affect you filter bacteria. However we use it here when receiving new fish and it does help to heal split fins and scrapes caused during transport and prevents infections from occurring

Medicated Foods

Using a good medicated food is a simple and effective way to get medication directly ‘into’ the fish as long as it is eating. The key is to get a quality medicated food that has more than 1 antibiotic in it. Blackwater Creek medicated food has 4 different antibiotics to treat gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Feed only this food continuously for 10 days.

Dips or Baths

Medicated dips or baths can work well at treating ulcers. Neocide 3 is extremely effective at conquering ulcers. However the only downside is it must be used daily for 4 to 5 days and the duration of the bath must be times precisely. If you don’t have a hospital or quarantine tank it is very difficult and stressful to catch a fish from the pond repeatedly.

OUR SUGGESTED ULCER TREATMENT REGIMENT

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

• Net

• Oil of cloves (optional)

• Q-Tips

• Towel

• Hydrogen Peroxide

• Bio-Bandage

• Medicated food

STEPS:

1. Catch the fish and transfer it to an appropriately sized container. At this point you may choose to anesthetise the fish to make handling it easier, especially if it is over 12” long. Oil of cloves works very well and is readily available. …..

2. Take a Q-tip, dip it in the peroxide and begin to gently but firmly rubbing the ulcer and the area around the ulcer. Scrub in a head –to-tail direction, don’t be scared if some scales come off while working. You want to be very thorough, rub under and around the scales so that any ‘hiding’ bacteria is killed.

3. You may want to return the fish to the container periodically if it is a large ulcer or the fish has more than one.

4. Finally, dry the area and apply and antibiotic solution such as bio-bandage to help protect the ulcer from further infection. This step can be repeated daily as needed.

5. Return the fish to the pond or hospital tank.

6. Treat pond or hospital tank daily with Melafix as directed

7. Feed the fish medicated food only for 10 days continuously

*please note that swabbing the ulcer should only be done once, repeatedly scrubbing the ulcer will prevent healing from occurring.

PRECAUTIONS:

• Only treat red, bloody wounds. Look closely at the ulcer before you catch the fish. If the ulcer is pink with a white rim do not scrub it with peroxide or iodine – it is already healing on its own

RESULTS:

You should see an improvement in the appearance of the ulcer in 2 to 3 days if the treatment is working. The rough red tissue should gradually turn  a pinkish colour, then white and smooth. It may take several weeks to months for the healing area to return to the natural colour of the fish. A noticeable scar may remain.

BACK TO POND ADVICE 

or

ALGAE IN THE POND or CLEAR WATER PLANTS or FILTRATION or FISH or GREEN WATER or POND DESIGN or POND SALT or SPRING CLEANING or GET READY FOR WINTER