Bacterial diseases of the fish gills and dropsy

Bacterial diseases of the fish gills and dropsy

The fish becomes very bloated to the extent that the scales of the fish stick out like pine cone.
Treatment is to prevent the spread of the disease to other fish.
The advice used to be that infected fish are best humanely disposed of, although nowadays some 'remedy' manufactures will claim that their anti-ulcer treatments are effective against internal bacteria. This is worth trying in isolation.
Sometimes the bacterial infection is a secondary infection caused by parasite infestation, the parasites having taken advantage of a stressed or weakened host.
Parasites

SYMPTOMS APPEARANCE and BEHAVIOUR TREATMENT AFTER CHEMICAL CHECK

Lernaea Anchor Worm - Thread 2cm long protruding from swelling. Anti- parasite dose or physical removal. Salt baths effective on young worms.

Chinodella - Slimey skin Bluish hue; excess mucous; clamped fins; respiratory distress; depression Anti-parasite or salt bath 3g/l

Epistylis or Heteropolaria White fuzzy patches, progress to form ulcers in the skin. Secondary infection and septicaemia. Check that it is not Saprolegna (fungus) Anti-parasite solution or salt bath 22g/l for 30mins every 7days for 3 weeks

Dactylogyrus & Gyrodactylus Flukes - Ulcers - sluggish; loss of colour; pallid gills. Anti-parasite dose 10 days later - Anti-bactericide. Alternatively - salt baths.

Argulus
Fish Lice -
Ulcers or small lice like attachments esp. around the gills. Quarantine new fish in treatment tank or pond. Salt baths effective on young lice.

Ergasilus - Gill Maggots Fish breathing rapidly; emaciated Anti-parasite dose or 3gm/ltre salt bath. Touch with weak solution of iodine or pottassium permanganate.

Leeches - Worm like with suckering disc at each end Anti-parasite dose or 3gm/ltre salt bath. Touch with a weak solution of iodine or pot. permanganate.

Ichtyobodo necator or Costia necatrix Loss of appetite; clamped fins; excess mucous; scraping against the side of the pond and other objects; skin reddened; pale gills covered in thick mucous; Fungus is very often a secondary invader. Anti-parasite. Treat the pond with salt or anti-bacterial medication.

Molluscs' glocchidia parasitic immature stage of freshwater molluscs - Tiny brown spots. Irritation, slight risk of secondary infection after the glocchidia leave their host. They will eventually drop off of their own accord. Possible treatment for ulcers.

Trichodina After excess mucous on the body surface, leap out of water. Then covered in dry cells. Hang at surface and gulp for air. Fungus is very often a secondary invader. Anti-parasite solution Reduce stress

Wasting disease. Can be internal parasites. May be TB (see below) Anti-parasite solution and vitamins

Ichthyophthirius multifillis "White Spot" or "Ich" White spots sharply defined all over the body. Fish twitch and scrape Anti-parasite dose twice, 48hrs apart. 7days if below 60F. If fish removed from the pond after 7days it will be free of parasites.

Trematode worms Wounds from accidents or other causes have worms feeding on the wound Treat the wound with a chemical specifically for secondary infections.

Garden Shows

Perfect Pond Recipe Book

The Complete Pond Solver

Overview ...

Bacterial diseases of the fish gills and dropsy

Parasites

SYMPTOMS	APPEARANCE and BEHAVIOUR	TREATMENT AFTER CHEMICAL CHECK
Lernaea Anchor Worm -	Thread 2cm long protruding from swelling.	Anti- parasite dose or physical removal. Salt baths effective on young worms.
Chinodella - Slimey skin	Bluish hue; excess mucous; clamped fins; respiratory distress; depression	Anti-parasite or salt bath 3g/l
Epistylis or Heteropolaria	White fuzzy patches, progress to form ulcers in the skin. Secondary infection and septicaemia.	Check that it is not Saprolegna (fungus) Anti-parasite solution or salt bath 22g/l for 30mins every 7days for 3 weeks
Dactylogyrus & Gyrodactylus	Flukes - Ulcers - sluggish; loss of colour; pallid gills.	Anti-parasite dose 10 days later - Anti-bactericide. Alternatively - salt baths.
Argulus Fish Lice -	Ulcers or small lice like attachments esp. around the gills.	Quarantine new fish in treatment tank or pond. Salt baths effective on young lice.
Ergasilus - Gill Maggots	Fish breathing rapidly; emaciated	Anti-parasite dose or 3gm/ltre salt bath. Touch with weak solution of iodine or pottassium permanganate.
Leeches -	Worm like with suckering disc at each end	Anti-parasite dose or 3gm/ltre salt bath. Touch with a weak solution of iodine or pot. permanganate.
Ichtyobodo necator or Costia necatrix	Loss of appetite; clamped fins; excess mucous; scraping against the side of the pond and other objects; skin reddened; pale gills covered in thick mucous; Fungus is very often a secondary invader.	Anti-parasite. Treat the pond with salt or anti-bacterial medication.
Molluscs' glocchidia parasitic immature stage of freshwater molluscs -	Tiny brown spots. Irritation, slight risk of secondary infection after the glocchidia leave their host. They will eventually drop off of their own accord.	Possible treatment for ulcers.
Trichodina	After excess mucous on the body surface, leap out of water. Then covered in dry cells. Hang at surface and gulp for air. Fungus is very often a secondary invader.	Anti-parasite solution Reduce stress
Wasting disease.	Can be internal parasites. May be TB (see below)	Anti-parasite solution and vitamins
Ichthyophthirius multifillis "White Spot" or "Ich"	White spots sharply defined all over the body. Fish twitch and scrape	Anti-parasite dose twice, 48hrs apart. 7days if below 60F. If fish removed from the pond after 7days it will be free of parasites.
Trematode worms	Wounds from accidents or other causes have worms feeding on the wound	Treat the wound with a chemical specifically for secondary infections.