Signs and Treatments of Gill and Skin Flukes in Koi Fish

Similar to cats and dogs, koi are also prone to parasite invasion. Flukes are most familiar fish parasites belong to the family of a monogenetic named trematoda. These parasites are having sets of hooks at the end portion of their body and with the help of those they affix themselves to the selected hosts. There are two variety of parasites found in the bodies of koi fish called as skin and gill flukes. The monogenean trematodas are similar to worms and can be 2mm long. A swarming pool with dirty water is a perfect proliferation place for this kind of microscopic intruders.

Dactylogyrus, which is a familiar name of gill flukes, are a kind of live bearing parasites having heads of V-shaped with no apparent eyespot. The dactylogyrids before they are born having the astonishing potential of developing a maggot inside the abdomen. With in small duration of time they have the capability to replicate thousands of larvae. These types of parasites get nourishment from epithelial cells, mucus and blood which are seen in the gills of the koi.

Skin flukes which are also known as Gyrodactylus is a kind of parasite which lays egg and having characteristic eyespot and scalloped heads. Replication of such parasites is powerful and happens in accordance of the water temperature. They are competent to lay two dozens of eggs within an hour. Eggs are being fertilized rapidly in hot water taking only few four days but this same process is being slow down in cold water taking upto thirty days.

A koi fish which is infected with dactylogyrus parasite finds difficult to gill and that's why it appears lifted. Staining on the infected area is being seen. There is also greater chance that the gill filaments glued and attached together due to manufacturing of excessive mucus. If treatment is not done in time a permanent spoilage of the gills may happen. Furthermore it could lead to high danger of creating more severe bacterial and fungal disease which can be more lethal. Skin flukes irritate the contaminated fish which will chafe itself against any substance hoping to wipe out the invisible intruder. Sluggishness, central redness and hyperplasia of skin are being noted in the last stage.

Usually this type of parasite in small amount doesn't cause any damage to it host but yes in large number in general it can create great threat to the health of the fish due to the probable growth of minor infections. The treatment of gill and skin flukes in koi is only needed if the infection becomes uncontrollable. Successive 2-3 times salt bath is the best method of treatment.

A more advanced technique of treatment can be done by the use of chemicals such as Formalin, Chloramine T, Malachite Green and Potassium permanganate. These treatments also never give total guarantee to cure the disease completely but yes a repetitive treatment helps for successfully get rid of the infection. Intense scrutiny is vital to early exposure of the disease. Thus always find out the signs of possible infection and at once apply the suitable treatment.

Reference: http://www.fishdoc.co.uk/disease/flukes.htm