| I have had limited exposure to pox on koi but have seen numerous cases of pox on mature Goldfish and this in my opinion is not pox. The locations of the two growths are not random viral outbreaks, but predictable areas for disease. Problems with the opercular plates generally result from a fish's response to irritation. Damage to the tip of the dorsal fin is also a common problem area. Excessively high or low pH, handling or disease can cause erosion of the epithelial layer here. Another significant observation is the grayish film developing on the body. Taken together we can make an educated guess. First, not pox. Second, not saprolegina. Good try, but not our guy. This growth is not tissue. I thought keloid tissue, but it doesn't add up. It's not bacterial. It's colonial. It's on the skin. I'd venture epistylis.
You are on the right track to raise the water temperature and salt the QT tank. Take the water temp up to 80 F and bring the salt up to .6%. Treat with either a MG or acriflavin bath.
The bigger question is why are you having this problem? Protozoan outbreaks are a common result of poor pond hygiene. Is your system accumulating an excessive amount of organic material? |