Bacterial Control

Bacterial Infections

The following is meant to be a very simple explanation of why bacterial infections occur and how to treat them. The two most common bacteria that cause problems on koi fish are Aeromonas and Pseudomonas. Both of these bacteria are naturally occurring and are found in all pond and lake water. These bacteria are non existent in tap water because chlorine is added to kill any bacteria. Never the less, you can start up a brand new pond with tap water and within 3 weeks after the chlorine has evaporated, you will find at least a low level of these bacteria in your water. Normally, in a clean healthy pond, the levels of bacteria are so low that they will not cause a problem on their own. The outer slime coat or epidermis normally protects the fish from these harmful bacteria. The most common reason koi experience a bacterial infection is when their slime coat or epidermal layer is broken and the bacteria is allowed to infect the koi. These sores can grow very quickly if they are not treated.

The most common reasons infections start:

Parasites can eat through the outer slime coat or epidermal layer exposing the dermis layer to the bacteria. As flukes attach themselves to the surface of the koi with their haptens, which resemble small fish hooks, they can actually inject the harmful bacteria into the koi.
Scratching against a sharp object such as a rock can break through the slime coat and expose the koi to the bacteria.
Poor water quality can burn off the slime coat or stress the koi making it more susceptible to the bacteria.
Stress by itself through overcrowding or simply moving fish from one pond to another can sometimes be enough to allow a bacterial infection to start.

Acriflavin 250ml A mild antiseptic, useful as a quarantine solution to treat fin-rot and ulcers. NT Labs Koi Care Acriflavin is best used used in conjunction with Ulcer-Swab and Wound Seal in the treatment of ulcers and other open wounds.

£10.49

Acriflavin 500ml A mild antiseptic, useful as a quarantine solution to treat fin-rot and ulcers. NT Labs Koi Care Acriflavin is best used used in conjunction with Ulcer-Swab and Wound Seal in the treatment of ulcers and other open wounds.

£15.49

Bacterad 1ltr Single dose pond water control of skin/gill flukes and bacteria that cause tail/fin rot, ulcers and general sluggish behaviour of fish.

£22.49

Bacterad 250ml Single dose pond water control of skin/gill flukes and bacteria that cause tail/fin rot, ulcers and general sluggish behaviour of fish.

£8.49

Bacterad 500ml Single dose pond water control of skin/gill flukes and bacteria that cause tail/fin rot, ulcers and general sluggish behaviour of fish.

£13.49