Help Needed (Coldwater Fish)

[mark4785]

I thought I'd post a question about a coldwater fish here since I think the problem the fish in question has is life-threatening. The cold water forums are quite inactive.

Hello,

I have a simple question really. Is it possible for viral koi pox to harbour a fungus growth on it?

I have a 20cm+ Koi and it would appear that for several weeks she has had the seasonal koi pox white lump but there is now a cotton wool like growth that has appeared on top of it and it has made the whole thing bulge out.

I'm thinking about disinfecting the wound and sealing it but due to not getting a close look at the fish, I just don't know how bad it is. Am I right in thinking that all fungal infections (whether minor or bad) should be treated immediately as they won't disappear themselves?

Also, If I am to attempt to treat the fungal infection. Would it be best for me to take the fish in question out of my pond and into a warmer aquarium environment? The pond temperature is only 2 degrees C which contributes to a low immune system. Surely the immune system will get its act together in water that gradually increases in temperature to about 15 degrees C.

Mark.

 

[mark4785]

Bump

 

[Caprichoso]

Hi, found this info for you. Hope it helps.

"Carp pox appears as clear waxy spots on the fins and tail of koi and goldfish. While it is not harmful, it can be unsightly. Fish do not die from carp pox. It is a cold water virus that will heal on its own once the water warms back up. In the 90's I experimented with heating the fish that came form a cold water pond by gradually warming the water. In some cases it returns every winter when the water is cold and clears on its own once the water warms back up. Others report it never returns and others reports it returns every winter. No one "in the know" seems to know why it return in some fish and never returns in other fish

"The fish came out of a cold pond that had a temperature of 55 degrees. The method of treatment was to warm the water up to 80 degrees. I have found that in treatment of other fish with Carp Pox that heat alone will cure it very nicely.

The hospital tank was set up and salt added to bring it to 0.3% salinity, which is always, my first step in treating any fish. A heater was added to the 25-gallon tank and set at 80 degrees. "

 

[mark4785]

Hi, found this info for you. Hope it helps.

"Carp pox appears as clear waxy spots on the fins and tail of koi and goldfish. While it is not harmful, it can be unsightly. Fish do not die from carp pox. It is a cold water virus that will heal on its own once the water warms back up. In the 90's I experimented with heating the fish that came form a cold water pond by gradually warming the water. In some cases it returns every winter when the water is cold and clears on its own once the water warms back up. Others report it never returns and others reports it returns every winter. No one "in the know" seems to know why it return in some fish and never returns in other fish

"The fish came out of a cold pond that had a temperature of 55 degrees. The method of treatment was to warm the water up to 80 degrees. I have found that in treatment of other fish with Carp Pox that heat alone will cure it very nicely.

The hospital tank was set up and salt added to bring it to 0.3% salinity, which is always, my first step in treating any fish. A heater was added to the 25-gallon tank and set at 80 degrees. "

Yes I know it's not life threatening and I know it doesn't require treatment simply because there are no treatments for the virus.

My initial post asks whether carp pox can become infected with fungus. It is the fungus that I don't know when to treat and I'm not sure what the best treatment option is.

During today and yesterday I've noticed the carp pock has a slight green colour (possibly algae) to it in the centre and half of the pock itself is hanging from the body. The Koi with the pock is still eating, active and very healthy so I've chosen not to remove her from the pond to attempt to apply an anti-septic and ulcer barrier.

Have I made a good decision?