| No, it's not that kind of disease. And contagion possibility have never been proven as part of this complex of symptoms. It may be viral or from even a tinier beast known as rickettsia. But it is the attraction to red cells ( color cells that stories food) that is most interesting. A virus needs to find a cell that is compatible with it's needs. Not all cells in all species will have the 'back door' for a specific species skills of 'breaking and entering'. Nor , when inside, not all cells will have the needed ingredients for the single invader to take over the helm and steer the cell into making more virus particles. So the red color cells seems to fit the bill of a unique cell that is effected by a mystery invader. On the other hand, we know skin cancer can favor epithelial cells.
And that it is a combination of environment and presence of cancer that causes the synergy that produces growth of cancer. So check your nitrate as that is just one parameter than aggravates the condition.
In addition, some Japanese swear that hikkui is lined to certain lines and strains. And there is no doubt that sanke and kohaku get it far more often than any other breed. At one point in the ‘sky is falling; koi history, some believed that koi would all get hikkui and the hobby would be lost. Many breeders of the day begin not using certain breeders to head that concern off. Whether that really helped I couldn’t say?
I have also noticed that koi that are moved from Japan’s relatively neutral pH and low mineral content ( soft water) and placed in very hard water, will often come down with hikkui at a younger age than the normal age group that this problem inflicts. Meanwhile in Japan, one technique for early cure is to place a koi in warm water and bring the KH way way down.
I think most hobbyists accept that if they collect long enough they will see hikkui in one or two individuals in their care at some point. I have 18 koi and one has hikkui. All the rest are clean as a whistle. It is from a breeder that is know to have fish ‘turn’ hikkui at a certain age. There is that genetic component again.
JR |