FAQs on Environmental Pondfish Disease, Diagnosis Related Articles: Environmental Pond Disease, Koi/Pond Fish Disease, Gas Bubble Disease/Emphysematosis, Pond Parasite Control with DTHP,  Hole in the Side Disease/Furunculosis,  Goldfish Disease, Related FAQs: Pond Environmental Disease 1, Pond Environmental Disease 2, Pond Environmental Disease 3, & FAQs on Pond Environmental Disease: Prevention, Causes: Cumulative Stress, Predation, Low/no Oxygen, Poisoning (Algicides, Metals, Pesticides...), Metabolite Accumulation, Physical Trauma/Damage, Electrical, Troubleshooting/Fixing, & Pond Fish Disease,  Pondfish Disease 2, Pondfish Disease 3, Goldfish Disease,

Aquatic Gardens Ponds, Streams, Waterfalls & Fountains: Volume 1. Design & Construction Volume 2. Maintenance, Stocking, Examples V. 1 Print and eBook on Amazon V. 2 Print and eBook on Amazon   by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Is this baby goldfish ok?      7/13/14 I took a picture of my smallest baby goldfish today. This is what I got. It looks like the baby is scarred, sick, or hurt. It appears healthy and active otherwise and the other fish are not afflicted with the condition. Is this baby ok? Thank you. <Looks sickly; heavy mucous production. Could be all kinds of reasons. Ideally, rear indoors, optimise water conditions, perhaps use an antibiotic if the fish doesn't respond positively. But as I've said a few times, some mortality among Goldfish fry is normal, perhaps inescapable. But do of course provide the best possible conditions that you can. Bear in mind predators like Diving Beetles can cause serious harm to fish fry in ponds, and even if these attacks fail to kill the Goldfish, you could end up with scarred or damaged fish. Cheers, Neale.>

Re: Is this baby goldfish ok?      7/14/14 Thank you Neale! :) <You're welcome!>

Re: (RMF, need some help with pond Q at the end) Re: Angelfish Repro./ Synodontis eupterusHLLE,
Bacterial or Fungal/ Mystery Spiny Eel ID    7/9/14
<<Bob, can you look at the Pond question at the end?>>
<Yes; certainly. BobF>
I do have one more unrelated matter. In an outside 300g res. with a school of marigold lyretail, filtered by an aquaponic growbed with 55g of media and plants. Nitrate is zero, water is "hard", diet of TetraMin once a day and Hikari algae wafer once a week plus natural foods(being outdoors). One fish has something hanging from bottom side, looks to be connected to digestive tract. It's white and starts skinny and gets wide at end, like a balloon. It has been trailing for 2 days. Any thoughts on course of action.
<Not sure what this might be. A photo would really help. Have asked Bob F for his thoughts. Would suggest you review the likely candidates as they seem to me: heron/cat attack/damage; Anchor worm; leeches.>
>>I concur w/ Neale's statements and request for a clear image. RMF<<

Sarasa comet goldfish with problems    8/27/12
Hi there,
I have a Sarasa comet goldfish, Goldie, who started behaving very strangely today. He is at the top of the pond, opening and closing his mouth, but is still horizontal. I noticed he wasn’t moving while feeding and the top of his fin was out of the water, and seems to have some dryness and damage from doing this all day. I reached in the water to check on him, and he did slowly swim away and go underwater, but he was very listless. He is opening his mouth and closing it all the time, and ignored food. He did a few laps of the pond and then returned near the reeds and has remained stationary over there, just opening and closing his mouth, and not moving. I’ve checked the water, (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, pH) all of which I do monthly. They are all perfect, apart from the pH which is about 9,
<Yowzah, MUCH too high. What is the source of this alkalinity?>
 although it has always sat at this level for the eighteen months since we moved to the house, despite efforts to bring it down.
<Again how, or better still, search on WWM re pond pH>
 His back fin is out of the water again, and I honestly don’t see him making it through the night if I don’t do something. Any ideas would be amazing. He’s our biggest goldfish (about 9 inches) and the only one who really stands out colour wise, so I’d be so sad to lose him.
Thanks
Gemma
<Could be just low dissolved oxygen, some form of poisoning (perhaps an errant bug it ingested)... the larger the fish is, the less percentage gill surface area... I'd be changing a significant part of the water, shading the pond, increasing aeration/water movement... and reading. Bob Fenner>

Bubbles - 12/20/11
Fish gurus-
 <Sadie>
Your website is fantastic!  It is so informative.  Thanks for creating such a useful resource.
 <Welcome>
Here's my situation:  I have a small outdoor pond.
<Size, shape depth please>
  There are about 20 Comets and 1 Red Oranda in the pond.  This will be the 6th winter most of the fish have spent in the pond.  I recently discovered one of the comets "dead" on the bottom of the pond.  When I netted him out, he was actually still alive.  I put him in a bucket of pond water and brought him in to defrost. When the water warmed up to about 68 F he was totally back to normal.
<Mmm, a valuable clue>
 I hurried and set up a 10 gallon tank (I know a 10 gallon tank is not adequate for a 4 inch goldfish... but it's all I have and it was kind of an emergency).  Other than wishing he was in his pond, this fish seems to be back to normal.  Then I discovered the Oranda (2 inches) outside floating upside down.  I brought the fish inside, let it come up to the inside temperature, Googled all I could on swim bladder problems, and fed both fish (who are now stuck in the same tank) a bunch of shelled peas.
Eventually both fish seemed normal.  Unfortunately the Oranda's swim bladder issues returned 2 weeks later.  The fish went back on peas and the problem seemed righted again over night.  My local fish store recommended sinking pellets to prevent future swim bladder problems.  I'm hoping that with frequent partial water changes I can keep the fish happy and healthy until I can reintroduce them to the pond in a few months.
Here's my problem:  The Oranda suddenly spends a lot of time at the surface blowing bubbles. He just started doing this after the last bout with his swim bladder. I'm confident the water is well oxygenated.  The peas make the water very murky, so I just did a 30% water change.  He was blowing bubbles before and after the water change--so I'm even more sure it's not oxygen.  He doesn't act stressed and the comet isn't acting strange at all.
 I haven't tested the water for nitrates/ites... I'm not a real aquarium enthusiast, so I don't have a test kit and I haven't been back to the fish store since the bubbles started.  I read another post where it's possible that two fish can have different oxygen needs or tolerances of water imbalances.  Is the smaller Oranda suffocating while the larger Comet isn't? Could the bubble blowing have anything to do with the swim bladder issues (cause or effect?)? I'm not really in a position to upgrade all of my indoor fish equipment, but if the small tank isn't going to cut it for this winter I guess I'll have to figure something out. Any insight into this sudden bubble blowing would be very helpful.
Thanks, Sadie
<What first comes to mind is "gas-bubble disease", emphysematosis... Do you have a pressurized pump here? The gas could also come from super-saturated source/tap water as well. Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/PdBblDisease.htm
and the linked FAQs file above. Bob Fenner>

Advice needed.... Pond... env. issues... high pH, what else?    5/25/10
Hi - moved into house in dec-09 - came with pond 2700 litres / 600 gallon, UV & filtration - 2x air stone, although I put them stones' & new UV bulb a month or so ago.
There are 10x fish, one of which being a lovely one foot long Ghost Kio.
Since arriving the ghost has always sat on the top ledge of the pond & took a swim every now and again just under the surface, taking gulps of air & sometime jumping up, all seemed well. In March with weather improving I
decided to give the pond a clean out, lots of dead leaves & stuff @ bottom & in cleaning out I drained out 2/3 of the water & topped up from tap, introduced some lily's & other plants (as pond had nothing when we moved in). I also put in 3x bags of aqua stones from local garden centre on the bottom & various flat ledges in the pond. Not long after this I notice the ghost Koi never seemed to close his mouth & his body was developing a slimly surface. Worried I spoke to fish shop, took down a sample of the water & determined PH levels were too high @ 9.5%.
<Yikes! What is the cause here?>
Treated water & PH level dropped to. 8% for which the testing kit said was ok, nitrates ok . The slime on fish cleared after a day or two, but still not 100% happy with it's mouth I kept an eye the fish for a couple of weeks, it carried on as usual, but still not taking food off the top & with mouth wide open. @ this point (10 days ago) I decided to have the fish out a get a mate (carp fisherman with big net) round to assist. Upon having the fish out it bleed slightly from mouth as it knocks into sides of pond, but I noticed min bleeding from fins & rectum. Had a look down the fishes mouth & could see a round fleshy / red / sore looking lump (size of a marble) 1.5 inches down it throat, determined it was part of the fish & not a stone. Put fish back in & thought I'd see how it got on. Over the past couple of days it's slowed right down, constantly sat on ledge under water wall. Had it out tonight & looked back down mouth, the lump looks like it's popped / deflated, with some little white patches (poor fish) Been looking on net for what this lump could be & why it's mouth is always open, but nothing that I'm sure it correct. I spoke to chap I bought house off, he claims the fish is 40 yrs old, but doesn't think the fishes mouth was always open,
PLEASE HELP - get the feeling fish doesn't have long to go & I'll be truly sad to lose it, can't help but think it's something I have done to the pond.
Has been hot over the past week, but pump & both stones have been on. All other fish ok
Look forward to hearing back from you.
Best Regards
Kevin J
<Mmm, not much to go on here... I suspect you need more filtration, perhaps aeration... Please take the long read, perusal here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/Pond%20Sub%20Web.htm
particularly the sections on disease...
Bob Fenner>
Re: Advice needed.   5/25/10
Any thought's as to lump in fishes throat could be, I think this is preventing it from eating, but why the open mouth??
Thanks
Kevin J
<Mmm, best guesses are either a tumour of some sort or gout... a deficiency of iodine (actually iodide/ate)... I would try supplementing the fish's foods (immediately before offering) with Lugol's Solution or such. Bob Fenner>

Scales, poor English, no data or reading 5/10/10
hi guys I have a 2000 gallon Koi pond in my garden the with about 15 good size Koi and about 20 gold fish which have been in there since I started I have one mirror carp in my pond but all of a sudden he seems to be losing some scales just on his right side fins are all good and gills ok eating fine to I'm a carp angler so I love my fish just wondered if you could help with what it mite be thanks
john roper
<... could be "environmental"... summat water quality wise... Need data re... Likely predatory... Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/Pond%20Sub%20Web.htm
scroll down to Env. Dis. of Pondfishes, Predators...>
also I'm having trouble keeping my water crystal clear.
<And water quality. Bob Fenner>

Swim Bladder Disease in Koi
Hi,
<Hello Don,>
I have a rather large Koi...approximately 18 inches long, and around 4 pounds in weight.
<Good size.>
He appears to have swim bladder disease and can use some help. I have read several articles about this over the past 4-5 days and still remain confused about what I can do to try and bring him out of this.
<Hmm... do understand that most swim bladder disorders (I don't like the word "disease" in this context) are more to do with other issues, particularly constipation. See here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWsubwebindex/gldfshmalnut.htm
>
He began irregular swimming about 5-6 days ago. I live in an area where the outside temperature has been fluctuating ranging from moderately cool nights 40's and 50's to warmer daytime temps in the 50's to low 70's.
<Take care not feed these fish while it's cold; here in England at least, Koi aren't fed between late October and the beginning of March.
Temperatures below 10 C (about 50 F) prevent their digestive systems from working properly, and any food in the gut rots and promotes the growth of bacteria.>
My pond has been established for 8 years, and I have never lost a fish.
<Great!>
The other 5 fish in the pond are smaller, no larger than 9-10 inches in length and no more than 1 pound in weight. None of the smaller fish are experiencing any problems.
<May be a clue... bigger fish eat more, have longer digestive tracts, are perhaps more sensitive to water temperature/digestion issues?>
On the warmer days, I have lightly fed the fish (a high quality Koi staple food), but not on a daily basis.
<Good.>
Over the past few days, the evening temps have fallen into the high 30's, but still warming during the daytime into the 60's on occasion.
<Much too cold for feeding.>
With the exception of an elevated Ph level, all water conditions are excellent. I have slowly reduced the Ph level to normal about 6.4.
<That's actually pretty low for carp. A neutral to basic pH is optimal; aim for 7.5.>
I have also been treating the pond with Tetra Pond Treatment which contains Quinine Hydrochloride.
<Do be careful not to use a "scattergun" approach: medications are poisons, and if used without reason, can end up causing even more problems. Always identify the problem first, and then medicate. Medicating first, and hoping that cures something tends not to be a viable approach.>
I am not sure that my Koi is not simply constipated or really does have swim bladder disease, and I realize from reading it isn't always easy to distinguish one from the other.
<Quite so; but if the fish is defecating (easiest seen in a holding tank) then constipation is unlikely.>
My fish has a swollen abdomen, and there are some slight areas of blood streaks on the swollen area, and also on one dorsal fin.
<Ah, I see. Again, cold can cause problems, especially if you have any water features running (these cool the water further). Frost damage in the fins leads to inflammation and eventually Finrot-type infections.>
He remains mostly laying on his side and does not move much at all.
<Yikes!>
He has not been feed for the last 5 days, and I have to tried to get him to eat any peas, which I understand could relieve the constipation, if that is the problem.
<Do also add Epsom salt to the water, as indicated in the above article and associated FAQ. Epsom salt relaxes the muscles, allowing blockages to pass out more easily. Possibly easier to do if the fish can be moved to an aquarium or holding tank.>
Is there a water treatment I can try that may kill a bacteria infection, if that is what is causing the problem.
<Generally, adding antibiotics to ponds isn't practical or especially effective. There's just too much "ecology" going on there for such drugs to work. Antibiotic foods can be better, since they're going into the fish, but for things as big (and as valuable!) as Koi you need a vet to comment on this. He/she will either calculate the appropriate food dosage, or else inject the fish directly. If there is one fish on the planet that veterinarian science has a good handle on, it's the Koi, so finding a vet able to do this shouldn't be too hard.>
Something that I can use in the pond along with the other fish?? I do not have a hospital tank (but could set up something if it may help). Also, with a hospital tank, how much trouble will this cause give the change in water temp.
<Don't expose the fish to massive temperature changes, but by all means fill the tank with water from the pond, and let it warm up slowly as needs be.>
The pond water temp has to be around the mid to high 40's or low 50's at this point, and I don't want to traumatize the fish with a large temp change to warmer water.
<Indeed.>
Any assistance you can give me with this would be greatly appreciated, as I do not want to lose my prize Koi.
<I bet. These are lovely fish, and worth going the extra mile for.>
Thanks
Don
<Cheers, Neale.>
Re: Swim Bladder Disease in Koi (RMF?)<<You're spot on>> - 11/07/09
Neale,
<Don,>
Thanks so much for the reply.
<My pleasure.>
I agree that "disorder" is a better term when talking about swim bladder issues. Your comments have caused me to think more about my Koi's problem.
<Very good.>
I realize there are a number is things that can cause the swim bladder to malfunction, such as constipation, a tumor, a bacterial infection, injury, genetic defect, just to name the most obvious.
<Indeed. A vet can narrow these down some more, but from my vantage point on the other side of the Atlantic from you, the best I can do is mention some of the possibilities.>
I have to some degree examined my Koi's abdomen and it feels pliable, no hard spots that may indicate some sort of injury or tumor.
<That's good to know.>
I believe I am ruling out a bacterial infection, since the other fish in the pond show no signs of any issues.
<Hmm... would be careful about this. Genetic variation in fish, as in humans, does affect predisposition to disease.>
Unless the large one's immune system was somehow depleted, I would think if it is bacterial, viral, or some other organism causing the problem, the other fish would also be effected.
<Perhaps. Broadly, yes, it's true that if water quality was bad, several fish would show signs of a suppressed immune system (e.g., Finrot). But this doesn't have to be the case.>
I have also looked at some different pictures of examples of Dropsy....and my Koi doesn't look like any that I have seen. There is no overall swelling of the body, and only a very few scales that are slightly protruding on his abdomen where the swelling is located, but not to any degree it gives the appearance of Dropsy.
<This is also good news. Dropsy tends to be difficult to treat, since by the time it appears (it's a symptom rather than a disease) whatever disease is at work has progressed a very long way. Again, vets can help, particularly where Koi are concerned since they're big enough to treat. But even with Koi, the prognosis is mixed, at best.>
This brings me back to the constipation, and since I had given then food during more colder weather than I normally do (on those warm days) when they were swimming around giving me that look like, don't just stand there give us a bite to eat!!
<Resist! Or at least, provide high-fibre foods that'll get shifted through the gut quickly. Plant material is the obvious thing, and a clump of Elodea thrown into the pond would make a find snack for them.>
If I create a hospital tank using the colder pond water...would it be ok to bring in side and allow to warm to room temp?
<Yes, this is fine. Do put the tank somewhere cold though, like a garage, shed or basement. Or even an unheated spare bedroom (which is where, funnily enough, I overwinter my carnivorous plants that, like Koi, need a cool winter).>
Or should I be more gradual than that?
<The more gradual the better, but don't get paranoid about this. Provided filtration and if necessary aeration are adequate to the size of the fish and the aquarium being used, Koi handle this sort of thing just fine.>
I will have to figure something out as far as filtration and circulation....and I think I have enough resources to get the proper amount of Epsom salt in the water.
<You certainly can add Epsom salt to ponds, but you'd need an awful lot, and getting it out again afterwards would mean changing all the water, and that really isn't practical with most ponds. That's why it's better to do this using by moving the fish to a hospital tank. Good luck, Neale.>

Koi Problems Hi There, I am not a novice. But I would take any advice about my Koi. The Problem is one of my prize Koi is listing a little on his side. But when I go to feed them he perks up. Should I be alarmed? <I would be.> I know my fish and this is not normal. <Agreed.> Here are the stats. 150 gal tank inside. Good filtration, did water change yesterday and do regularly. Have 10 or so med to large Koi with, plus 20 or so small ones. <That is an awful lot of fish for that tank.> All other fish doing fine. Should I separate and try some meds or what do you think? <I would first examine water quality (this is my first reaction to anything abnormal); pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and particularly oxygen concentration. It is not unusual for the largest fish to show signs of distress when oxygen levels are depressed. -Steven Pro> Please help, Thank you Clark R. Puyallup Wa