Excellent bath treatment for ulcers, parasites and all infections. Also for general cleaning of pond water, reduces chemical oxygen demand. 500 ml treats 20,000 litres (4400 gallons)
Advantages of dip treating fish
The most obvious advantage to a dip treatment for any fish is that the exact dose of medication can be calculated, and the durationof exposure can be timed perfectly. Also, only those fish which are showing symptoms can be treated, leaving the healthier stock (who perhaps have a better resistance to the ailment), untouched by the medication.
Some chemicals used to treat fish diseases can have dire consequences on the ecology of the pond or aquarium, thus they mustbe used in isolation.Some treatments work well on mild infections when applied at a low dose to the pond as a whole.However, when infection has progressed to a higher level, causing severe debilitation and secondary infection, the fish is oftenso weak it can no longer resist the infection by the initial infective agent. At this stage a stronger dose of medication is essential,and this can only be done through dip treatment.
Disadvantages of dip treating fish
The main problem with dip treating fish is that it treats the symptoms of a disease rather than the root cause of the problem. Onlythose infective agents on the fish at the time are eradicated. Many further parasites/bacteria/fungi etc, can still be present in the main pond. Some can be found in the sludge and detritus of the system, they can be found infecting other fish subclinically (without symptoms). Also many parasites and bacteria can form tough resistant cystic structures that lay dormant in the pond, waiting to re-infect when the fish are stressed. Thus a dip will rid an individual fish of an infection, but the pond as a whole may still harbour infective agents.
Protocol for dip treating Koi
It is wise to have a hospital system established, as subsequent dips are often required, and the fish’s recovery can be closelymonitored. If this is not possible, a recovery bath containing pond water should be made. Prepare the dip bath; add a known volumeof water (preferably pond water, but if dipping in Potassium Permanganate use tap water dechlorinated with CHLORGO).then add the required dose of the relevant medication, and disperse thoroughly in the bath.
Catch the fish as quickly as possible and gently lower it into the dip. Start a stopwatch. Monitor the fish closely during the treatment. An adverse reaction usually involves the fish panicking and thrashing around in the bath, gasping and even trying to leap out of the dip.Leave the fish in the dip for the required time, and then remove it into the hospital system or recovery bath. Observe the fish for any ill effects, ensure the fish can maintain balance in the water.
