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| Parasites and other Water Creatures |
| Argulus | |
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Argulus is a crustacean or branchiurian parasite most commonly encountered in ponds, but they are also found in aquaria.
Although the Argulus is visible to the human eye,it is easy to miss. They appear as small dark spots (greenish) that are easy to overlook unless they move. Often found in relatively sheltered areas behind the fins or around the head. They are capable of moving very quickly.
They can be very destructive to fish. They carry Aeromonas and other bacteria on their feeding stiletto and thus infect each fish they bite.
Symptoms:
Fish with a heavy lice infestation will show a classic irritation response such as rubbing and flashing. At a later stage they will become lethargic. Affected fish may have focal red lesions on their body.
Treatment: - Dimilin™ (Diflubenzuron) is the treatment of choice for both Lernea and Argulus. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain Dimilin™. Two other products that contain Diflubenzuron are Anchors Away and Pond Care® Dimilin.
Dosing: 1gr/1000 gallons, remove any chemical filtration. Dose again at 10 days. Dimilin™ will have no effect on a mature filter. |
| Chilodonella | |
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Chilodonella is a major threat to fish health and finding even one parasite warrants immediate treatment. Unlike many parasites, it has a wide range of temperature tolerance and outbreaks often occur at low temperatures when fish are least able to resist. Secondly, despite is relative small size it, is dangerous because in the initial stages there are no readily visible signs of its presence.
Often by the time it becomes obvious that something is wrong there may already be severe tissue damage. As with other parasites there is also the risk of secondary infections resulting from lesions caused by the parasite's feeding activity.
Chilodonella can be easily recognized in skin scrapes and gill biopsies from its characteristic slow gliding movements, often turning in circles.
It has a flattened heart-shape with a notched end. There are bands of cilia on the ventral (bottom) surface, just faintly visible.
Symptoms: The clinical signs are the same as all other parasite infestations. Heavy and laboured 'breathing', flashing and rubbing, skin cloudiness caused by excess mucus, loss of appetite and lethargy. At a later advanced stage (which may be too late for treatment) fish often isolate themselves, sometimes near the water surface or water return. They can also exhibit extreme lethargy with long spells laying on the bottom with clamped fins.
Treatment: Chilodonella can be treated with potassium permanganate, malachite and formalin or salt baths.
Proform-C (Formalin & Malachite Green) is an easy to use and effective treatment. Remember, when using any treatment with Formalin present, you must have NO SALT in the system, water temperture should be below 75f and you should supply additional airation.
Dosing: |
| Costia | |
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Costia
Symptoms:
Treatment:
Dosing: |
| Flukes | |
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Flukes occur in two major classes, that is; Dactylogyrus, the famed Gill Fluke, and the second class is Gyrodactylus, the Skin fluke. There are certain morphological differences between these two classes. Under the microscope, you would notice that the Dactylogyrus fluke has several pairs of eye-spots, and they also lay eggs. In a specimen of Gyrodactylus, you would only see an embryo inside, with no eyespots in the adult.
Symptoms:
Fish become lethargic, swim near the surface, seek the sides of the pond and their appetite dwindles.
They may be seen rubbing the bottom or sides (flashing). The skin where the flukes are attached show areas of scale loss and may ooze a pinkish serous fluid. Heavy gill infestations result in respiratory disease. Gills may be swollen and pale, respiration rate may be increased, and fish will be less tolerant of low oxygen conditions. "Piping", gulping air at the water surface, may be observed in severe respiratory distress. Large numbers of flukes on either the skin or gills may result in significant damage and mortality. Secondary infection by bacteria and fungus is common on tissue which has been damaged by flukes.
Treatment:
SupaVerm© - is the trade name of a nematode and cestode treatment from Janssen Animal Health. Highly effective. Caution Although perfectly safe for Koi, including long-fin Koi, this will kill any Goldfish that are also treated.
Praziquantel sold as Pond Prazi - Highly effective. Safe for both Koi and Goldfish. Prazi also will work with any amount of salt
in the pond and it is not water temperature dependant. It has no adverse effect on filter.
Fluke Tabs - Safe for Koi and Goldfish.
Dosing:SupaVerm© is to be treated at 1 ml. per 100 US gallons. You can treat with a salt level of .3%. With Supavem you do not have to bypass your filter. And you do not want to do any type of water changes for at least 10 days. Before using Supaverm always shake the bottle. The most important thing is not to treat the pond with goldfish in it, it will kill all goldfish. |
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