Help with medical treatment-Doitsu sanke.

[Brutuscz]

It is winter here in new england, but not too cold and no snow so far. It is good because I can still see all my koi..nothing has frozen over at all. I noticed that while most of my koi are staying at the bottom...The 4 smallest koi were hiding in a corner, near the top. I noticed this one had a white stringy looking material on the pec fins and the tail. I brought the fish indoors..and it already looks a little better after 2 days. I have 8 koi in 1200gallons (most are small...only one is bigger at 14inches). The water quality is excellent...ammonia=0, nitrite=0, nitrate=20. I was considering treating the tank with Form/malachite green. Any advice is appreciated....thanks in advance.
oh...forgot to mention...no other fish has this..only this one.

[Richard Rombold]

Read Maries's thread first. We covered some good material that also included what is probably your problem (Saprolegina). I can't get a good view of the problem but it's winter and you mentioned no sores. I suspect you had some fin damage going into the Winter, and with the colder water temps the fungus is colonizing a slowly healing wound. Same protocol as suggested to Marie. QT the fish. Raise water temps slowly and salt the tank. You can use a MG dip or an indefinite bath. It's a good start for any number of Winter problems. Try to get a close up and I think you'll get more opinions and better thought out advice.

[dick benbow]

Actually Richard, I think you nailed it the first time!

for those looking to prevent this kind of problem, a heated pond will go a long way towards avoidance.

to give credit to our poster, it shows the importance of keeping an eye daily on your charges and being aggressive in handling health issues as opposed to not knowing what to do and therefore doing nothing in hopes it will go away.
Not a good plan!

[Brutuscz]

Here are some close up photo's of both fins. I have been following that thread closely..but feel that this is something different. Is it too cold for fin/tail rot? I have heard of something called Bacterial coldwater disease...but, cannot find any good information regarding diagnosis and treatment. Thanks again for the help.

[Brutuscz]

I currently have MG on hand, Form/MG(quick cure brand), PP(not in this lifetime...I know my luck), Prazipro, fluke away, acriflavin. Since I moved...I have no salt currently. Definitely need to get some. The water in my Q-tank is about 60degrees. Is the form/MG safe at this temp?
I really have no way currently to heat this 1200 gallon pool.

[Richard Rombold]

Close ups show some fin erosion and what looks to be an active infection. Start with salt in the tank and use an antibacterial dip of your choice. MG and Acriflavin are good broad spectrum choices. Salt works well with either treatment and any fungus will be dealt with as well. With the cold water temps repeat treatments are going to be necessary as the tissue will take forever to heal and will continually be recolonized unless you can move the fish into a heated tank.

[Auntiesue]

A little iodine topically on the affected area wouldn't hurt either. But like what was mentioned above, heat is your best cure. Folks underestimate the impact a warm tank and excellant water quality has on healing. It can make or break an ill fish.

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Rombold Close ups show some fin erosion and what looks to be an active infection. Start with salt in the tank and use an antibacterial dip of your choice. MG and Acriflavin are good broad spectrum choices. Salt works well with either treatment and any fungus will be dealt with as well. With the cold water temps repeat treatments are going to be necessary as the tissue will take forever to heal and will continually be recolonized unless you can move the fish into a heated tank.

Try using Lamasil as a topical. It will seal and treat the wound. Being sticky it will stay on for longer and it will provide more protection. It is what Toshio Sakai uses as a wound sealer.

[Brutuscz]

Quote: Originally Posted by Russell Peters Try using Lamasil as a topical. It will seal and treat the wound. Being sticky it will stay on for longer and it will provide more protection. It is what Toshio Sakai uses as a wound sealer.

...Being a foot doctor, I should definitely be able to get my hands on an anti-fungal..LOL!!! I imagine the ointment is better than the creme for this application?

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz ...Being a foot doctor, I should definitely be able to get my hands on an anti-fungal..LOL!!! I imagine the ointment is better than the creme for this application?

I use the cream that comes in a tube.