Fish with cotton ball growth on top.

[fbm482]

Hi Folks,
Up in MA finally have some decent weather high 40s to 60 today.
Noticed one of the comets has these cotton ball type growths on top of his body.
Any idea what is? What can I do to help fish?

See photo.

Thanks,
Frank


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[richtoybox]

I would suspect Saprolegnia which is readily treated with malachite green, as in Proform C, or with Tricide Neo used as a paste mixed with slime coat, though I have had good luck with an application of non-iodized table salt applied with a small paint brush scrubbing the area lightly to remove the growth.

[fbm482]

This would be first time treating a fish…carefully catch and work on him is small container to apply?
Out of curiosity how would they get that..haven’t introduced anything into the pond.

Shoud I treat the pond with some broad spectrum treatment?
I don't want to lose the rest of the fish.


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[cindy]

Birds, frogs and other guests visiting your pond

[richtoybox]

The Proform C is one brand of malachite green with formalin, BSDT (Broad Spectrum Disease Treatment) is another. Either would work. The main concern right now would be temperature must be above 50F.

[fbm482]

Thanks Rich!

I tried your method with the salt and brush in a small container of salt solution. Got most of it off some was on the skin pretty good..didn't want to pull it off. Does applying the salt kill it?I release back into the pond for time being and it seems pretty happy and eating.
Should I assume the whole pond needs to be treated? I don't see any of the others with any trace of it.
I reay that they release spores which in turn become the parasite that attacks the fish...
The thermometer is showing54 degreess at last check.

[Orlando]

Thanks Rich!

I tried your method with the salt and brush in a small container of salt solution. Got most of it off some was on the skin pretty good..didn't want to pull it off. Does applying the salt kill it?I release back into the pond for time being and it seems pretty happy and eating.
Should I assume the whole pond needs to be treated? I don't see any of the others with any trace of it.
I reay that they release spores which in turn become the parasite that attacks the fish...
The thermometer is showing54 degreess at last check.

I would recommend to do what ever you can to improve your water quality, not saying you have bad water, the key word "improve" as much as you can it will help inmensly good luck.

[fbm482]

Thanks Orlando,
It was a tough winter and before I closed it den had an issue with over stocking. I ended up giving away about 40-50 koi that were about 6”. Plenty of aeration.

Yesterday spent day completely cleaning two of the ponds that flow into a bigger pond. Also did a water change in big pond then turned filter on which released a fair amount of fresh water.

Normally I’d put water hyacinth in to pond which really clears the water and gives Koi something for the koi to snack on. .but supplier said it’s too cold for them.

Appreciate any suggestions you may have.


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[richtoybox]

My biggest suggestion for water quality is to have a KH of over 100 all the time. This will help to maintain a consistent pH, which will make the fish happy and the filter bacteria happy. Happy filter bacteria leads to very low ammonia and nitrite, which help the fish to maintain good health.

[coolwon]

I learnt the hard way.

KH IS THE BEST MEDICATION YOU CAN KEEP IN YOUR POND 24 HOURS A DAY !!!!!

[fbm482]

I thought was doing pretty good. Cleared out ponds that feed the larger one wiht the fish.
I have a bead filter thatI turned back on...its turned off during winter, so I assume bacteria have passed.
The water quality is PH-8, AM .25/.5, Nitrites - 0, Nitrates - 0, Phosphates - 0, KH - 3
Everyone says not to buffer if have ammonia as it raises the toxicity......to lower AM i would need to do a water change of at least 25%. Fill it back up and then add Baking soda?aa
Would the water change deplete the current KH levels?

Also, if I have any AM shouldn't I see the biological filter starting up and affecting Nitrites which would then affect Nitrates?

Last year was the first time in 15 years that I paid any attention to testing water, and it was always crystal clear. It wasn't until I introduced a bunch of offspring to the pond that things started to get hard to manage. I have since given them away before winter.

Little unsure what I shoud do.

[richtoybox]

Increasing the KH will usually increase the bio colonies as the pH is stable morning to evening, which is easier on the fish. All filters go through a period of recolonization each year as the activity levels of the fish increase, but higher KH neutralizes the acidification caused by the biobacteria, and in the bead filters, due to the up flow, the bottom beads get good water, but the higher beads get high levels of acid, so the bacteria are stunted.