Koi Care Products

Koi care products can be used as either a pond treatment or a dip treatment for koi carp ailments and diseases
These products are available from various suppliers and as such the information given below is from the suppliers we use and recommend. That is NT labs, Kusuri and Lincs Fish Health.

Acriflavin - Pond antiseptic
Mild antiseptic, useful as a quarantine solution and to treat fin-rot and ulcers.
Teatment for bacterial ailments
All ponds will contain billions of minute bacteria.
These include helpful species that breakdown the toxic fish waste in the biological filter system, and convert it into nitrate,which is then taken up by the plants.
However, there are also other bacteria that live in the pond that are opportunistic invaders of stressed and wounded fish, including the species Pseudomonas and Aeromonas which will infect any cut or abrasion on the surface of the fish, and can also invade the host across the gut wall during gastro-intestinal problems.
Acriflavin, when added to the pond, will reduce the numbers of these opportunistic bacteria in the pond, thus lowering not only the chance of infection, but also the intensity of disease in already infected ponds.
Before treating with Acriflavin remove adsorbent filter material - carbon, zeolite etc, - switch off UV
Increase aeration and allow plenty of time to observe fish
Do not mix medications
Dosage:
A single dose should be sufficient.
Leave 10 days between treatments if no improvement is seen
Add 10 ml of Acriflavin to every 80 gallons of pond water.

B-D-S - Fluke treatment
B-D-S is a fluke treatment providing a tried and tested formulation which treats both skin and gill flukes as well as bacterial disease such as fin rot, tail rot and ulcers.
Skin and gill flukes are notoriously difficult to treat in the pond because they are protected by the natural mucus on the fish
Successful treatment requires a product which can therefore penetrate the mucus.
B-D-S will treat skin and gill flukes as well as fin or tail rot and ulcers.
Before treating with B-D-S remove adsorbent filter material - carbon, zeolite etc, - switch off UV. Increase aeration and allow plenty of time to observe fish
Do not mix medications
The correct dose will not affect filter bacteria or plants.
Dosage:
A single dose should be sufficient.
Leave 10 days between treatments if no improvement is seen
Add 10 ml of B-D-S to every 80 gallons of pond water.

Bioxyl - Bacterial treatment
For the treatment for minor bacterial problems such as injuries and raised scales.
It will lower the level of bacteria in pond water during an outbreak of disease.
It will help with cross infection during an outbreak of any disease.
It will control protozoan parasites.
Dosage
100ml treats 1000 galls
Fish can be treated 3 times at seven-day intervals

Chloramine T - Pond antiseptic
Chloramine T is an effective broad spectrum chemical for lowering bacteria in ponds.
At higher dose rates it can be used against skin/gill flukes, white spot, Costia, etc.
Dosage:
5gms per 1000 gallons as an anti-bacterial or
15-20gms per 1000 gallons as an anti parasite treatment (4 doses required).
For use above 11.5 C (55 F)

Combat - Bacteria treatment
For minor bacterial problems, raised scales and to lower protozoan parasites that commonly cause a white film - treat the pond two or three times depending on the severity at seven-day intervals.
For severe bacterial and parasitic problems Combat can be safely used at double the stated dose but ensure adequate aeration
For serious gill fluke treat the pond 3 times at four-day intervals using the standard dose for a minor problem, or at double dose if the fish are seriously infected
Dosage
10g per 1000galls

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E - X - 5 - Anti-parasite Treatment
Malachite green and Formaldehyde, used together, are the best treatment for common external parasitic infections.
E - X - 5 is a special formulation of these key ingredients which is added to the pond every day for a five day course.
It is not only an anti parasite treatment but also effectively clears up secondary fungal infections
Because E - X - 5 is added every day for 5 days, it is safe to use in ponds containing sensitive fish such as Sterlet, Tench, Rudd or Orfe.
E - X - 5 can also be added to the pond as a single dose preventative treatment, for example, in early spring or when new fish are introduced to the pond.
Before treating with E - X - 5 remove adsorbent filter material - carbon, zeolite etc. - Switch off UV 
 Increase aeration and allow plenty of time to observe fish 
 Do not mix medications
Dosage:
A single 5 day should be sufficient
Add 10 ml of E - X - 5 to every 400 gallons of pond water every day for 5 days.
Leave 10 days between treatments if no improvement is seen

Formaldehyde - pond anti parasite
Treats White Spot (lchthyophthirius)/Trichodina, Costia and Flukes
May be used with Malachite Green for added effect
Use when introducing new koi and after a heavy winter
Harmless to plants
Formaldehyde is effective against protozoan parasites and flukes.
It is especially useful in treating flukes because of it's ability to penetrate mucus and reach the parasites that would otherwise be protected from other bath treatments.
Treats white spot etc etc (as previous)
Before treating with Formaldehyde remove adsorbent filter material - carbon, zeolite etc, - switch off UV
Increase aeration and allow plenty of time to observe fish
Do not mix medications
Dosage:
A single dose should be sufficient
Add 10 ml of Formaldehyde to every 150 gallons of pond water
Leave 10 days between treatments if no improvement is seen

FMG Mixture - Formaldehyde and Malachite anti parasite and fungus mix
Malachite and Formaldehyde used together are the best treatment for parasitic infections.
This provides the same treatment levels as the two individual components used separately.
This product should not be used when sensitive fish such as Golden Orfe or Sturgeon are present.
The treatment lasts the full 5 days required to kill all free swimming parasites.
Before treating with FMG remove adsorbent filter material - carbon, zeolite etc, - switch off UV. Increase aeration and allow plenty of time to observe fish
Do not mix medications
The correct dose will not affect filter bacteria or plants.
Dosage:
A single dose should be sufficient.
Leave 10 days between treatments if no improvement is seen
Add 10 ml of FMG to every 80 gallons of pond water.

Gill Wash - Dip treatment against parasites and bacteria
Gills are extremely sensitive organs which can easily be damaged by pollutants and parasitic infection.
When a fish has injured gills it increases mucus production leading to suffocation.
Gill wash will remove the infection and break down the excess mucus allowing the fish to breathe more easily.
Dosage:
Best used as a high dose dip treatment
Use 5ml to 3.5 galls of pond water.
The fish should remain in the dip for 30 minutes
Observe the fish throughout the treatment period.

Malachite - For Fungus and external parasites
For best effect use with Formaldehyde (as a combined treatment)
Malachite dose rate should be half that used on its own
May be used to prevent fungus of eggs
Use when introducing new koi and after a heavy winter
Harmless to plants
Safe to use with Formaldehyde as directed
Before treating with Malachite remove adsorbent filter material - carbon, zeolite etc, - switch off UV
Increase aeration and allow plenty of time to observe fish
Do not mix medications
Dosage:
A single dose should be sufficient
Add 10 ml of Malachite to every 180 gallons of pond water
Leave 10 days between treatments if no improvement is seen

Paradex - Controls Lice, Leeches Body & gill Flukes
Is used to control the larger parasites such as lice, leeches and anchor worm seen by the naked eye.
To avoid subjecting fish to chemicals it is advised that the pond is retreated each time juvenile lice or leeches are seen rather than at a particular frequency.
Only the adult female anchor worm is visible, and this has to be removed with tweezers and the body treated with Koi Cream before the pond is treated.
Dosage
100ml treats 1000galls
Up to 3 treatments may be necessary

Permanganate - Parasite, Fungus and Bacteria treatment.
Active against parasites, fungus and bacteria.
Will turn water brown.
Excellent for cleaning ulcers and wounds and destroying any parasites and bacteria that are eating away at the wound.
Dosage
10ml treats 90galls

Topical Treatments

Roccal Wound Spray
Is used as a cleanser for all wounds injuries or ulcers. This is used at the first treatment and should not need repeating unless the wound is weeping heavily or there are loose scales or matter that needs removing.

Aquatec Bactericidal Spray
Is applied to any skin lesion following the cleaning procedure or to a less serious wound that does not require cleaning.
This product can be applied as often as the fish will tolerate netting and it can be sprayed while the fish is restrained in the net. Koi cream or G7 can be used over Aquatec.

G7 Spray Wound Sealer 
Forms a final waterproof barrier on wounds ulcers or injuries.
The wound must be cleaned if this is the first treatment but this may not be required at subsequent treatments.
Then only Aquatec or Cauteriser is applied and the wound gently blotted dry before G7 is lightly sprayed.
G7 needs to dry before the fish is returned to the water so sedation will make the application more successful.
The cream should be used separately to G7, as it will affect the seal.

Koi Cream
Is not intended to from a seal or barrier, like G7, but to denature proteins that inhibit healing it is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.
It can be applied to skin lesions of all types alone or over Aquatec.
When a wound starts to heal discontinue all other products using only Koi cream.
Instead of sedating a fish for a fuller treatment it can be applied to lesions alone or over Aquatec and this can be carried out with the fish in the net.
Koi cream can be applied as often as the fish will tolerate the stress of netting.

Cauteriser 
Is only applied to open weeping ulcers or injuries never to healthy tissue. This is blotted dry and the G 7 applied over the top.

Clear Eye
Treats bacterial eye infections particularly cloudy eye, which can turn the cornea opaque.
It is applied with a cotton wool pad soaked in Clear Eye and can be repeated daily if the fish tolerates but at least twice per week if not.
Use a clean pad for each eye.

Dip Treatment
Advantages of dip treating koi
The most obvious advantage to a dip treatment for any koi is that the exact dose of medication can be calculated, and the duration of exposure can be timed perfectly. Also, only those koi 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 koi diseases can have dire consequences on the ecology of the pond or aquarium, thus they must be used in isolation.
Disdvantages of dip treating koi
The main problem with dip treating koi is that it treats the symptoms of a disease rather than the root cause of the problem. Only those infective agents on the koi 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 koi 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 koi are stressed. Thus a dip will rid an individual koi 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 koi's recovery can be closely monitored. If this is not possible, a recovery bath containing pond water should be made. Prepare the dip bath; add a known volume of water (preferably pond water, but if dipping in Potassium Permanganate use tap water dechlorinated with Chlor Go then add the required dose of the relevant medication, and disperse thoroughly in the bath. Catch the koi as quickly as possible and gently lower it into the dip, start a stopwatch, monitor the koi closely during the treatment. An adverse reaction usually involves the koi panicking and thrashing around in the bath, gasping and even trying to leap out of the dip. Leave the koi in the dip for the required time, and then remove it into the hospital system or recovery bath. Observe the koi for any ill effects, ensure the koi can maintain balance in the water.
Malachite Green
This compound is a very strong antifungal agent, with marked antiparasitic and antiseptic action at higher concentrations. Most commonly used applied to the pond as a whole, frequently in conjunction with FORMALDEHYDE. Particularly stubborn cases of fungal infection can be treated by dipping the koi in a bath of 1 PPM MALACHITE GREEN (0.5 ml per gallon), for one hour. If infection persists a stronger 66 PPM (30 ml per gallon), for one minute can be employed.
Ensure the infection is of fungal origin, as symptoms superficially resemble cotton-mouth (infection by the bacteria Flexibacter columnaris). MALACHITE GREEN can also be swabbed neat, directly onto fungal growths, and large macroparasites such as anchor worm or fish lice. However ensure none of the chemical enters the gill opening, as it is extremely irritant to fish gills at that strength.
Gill Wash
Gill Wash has detergent properties and a marked antibacterial action. This makes it an ideal treatment for koi with gill complaints of bacterial or parasitic origin, and also ideal for treating bacterial infections of the skin. Gill infection by parasites or bacteria causes an increase in mucus secretion by the goblet cells of the gills, as the koi attempts to slough off the invaders. This mucus hyperproduction reduces the gills capacity for oxygen uptake, leading to asphyxiation of the koi. The detergent action of the Gill Wash breaks down this mucus acting as a decongestant, helping the koi breathe more easily. Use 5 mls Gill Wash per 3.5 gallons (15 litres) for 30 minutes. Repeat daily if required.
Permanganate Dip
Potassium permanganate is a powerful oxidising agent that can be used to eliminate very wide range of pathogenic organisms. From the large macroparasites such as anchor worm and fish lice to the microparasites such as the flukes, Ich and Trichodina, cotton-mouth, fungus, Pseudomonas and Aeromonas bacteria, and many more. Koi with the early stages of ulcer disease respond very well to a dip of Potassium permanganate.
The highly caustic nature of Potassium permanganate means it is a very effective treatment when used as a dip but, extreme caution should be taken when using it. Koi that have been subjected to an excessively high dose of the chemical should be bathed in milk, which removes all traces of the chemical. As a dip Permanganate can be used at 10 ml per 200 L (44 gallons) for 10 to 12 hours. If a stronger treatment is required, use 10 mls per 40 L (9 gallons) for 30 minutes. The chemical can also be diluted and swabbed directly onto fungus, and large macroparasites: Add 10 ml to 400ml water and dab the solution onto the offending agent with a cotton bud. These treatments should only be performed once.
The presence of organic matter in the water of the bath will lower the effectivity of the chemical, as the oxidative energy is spent on the detritus, rather than on the fish. If the permanganate has lost its strength it will turn from the pink colour to brown. Thus if the pink colour subsides before the treatment is complete it may be necessary to add more chemical to restore the pink colour. - 44 gall When preparing a bath of permanganate, always use dechlorinated tap water, as this contains less organic matter than pond water. If a carbon block filter is available use water from here. Should too much chemical be added it can be deactivated by adding an equal quantity of Hydrogen Peroxide (3% solution).
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde, like Permanganate is a very intense treatment to perform on a sick koi. Both are extremely effective, but the toxic dose for koi is quite close to the toxic dose for the invading pathogens. Thus you should only use these treatments if you feel sure that the EXACT dose can be metered out, and you feel confident you can recognise the signs of overdose in the fish. Formaldehyde is one of the few chemical medications that can actually penetrate the mucous layer of the koi and then kill the parasites inside. Most parasite infections will be cured by the addition of Formaldehyde to the pond as a whole but stubborn cases may require dip treatment.
Use 5 mls of Formaldehyde per 10 L (2.1 gallons) for up to one hour, unless your water is extremely soft, then use 4 mls per 10 L. This treatment can be repeated every 3 days if required, but one treatment should suffice providing the fish is in a hospital system. Formaldehyde will lower the oxygen content of the water so it is wise to aerate the dip during the treatment using an airpump and airstone.
Salt
Salt is the simplest, most readily available, cheap, treatment available to Koi keepers. There are many myths surrounding its use, and its spectrum of activity. When used as a dip, salt will kill a wide range of microparasites (some strains of flukes and Trichodina are becoming resistant, and require higher dosing) Other beneficial effects of salt are that it reduces osmotic shock of wounded fish by lessening the degree of water uptake by osmosis. Salt is also a muco-stimulator, causing the goblet cells of the fish's epidermis to increase production of mucus, thereby sloughing off any invading pathogenic organisms, and also increasing the protective coating over any exposed ulcers.
When using salt as a chemotheraputic agent ensure that it is either non-iodised table salt, water softener salt, seasalt, or preferably specialist Koi pond salt. A hydrometer such as the New Technology Salt Tester is an essential piece of apparatus. Although a known amount of salt has been added to a known amount of water, the actual salinity of the water will fluctuate; rising due to evaporation, or declining due to dilution by rainwater. Don't guess the amount of salt in the water - use a Salt Tester.
To treat external parasite infections use 0.5% (3/4 oz per gallon) dip for 30 minutes. For large fish a 1% (1½ oz per gallon) dip for 6-10 minutes can be used. In particularly stubborn cases such as Asian Trichodina, or certain serotypes of Dactyloyrus and Gyrodactylus, a 4 Oz per gallon dip for up to ½ hour may be required.
To prevent osmotic shock in wounded fish use a long-term bath in a ½ oz per gallon. Use this dose in a hospital tank where the salt level can be monitored and controlled. It is wise to start the therapy at half the above dose, and gradually increase to ½ oz per gallon.
Acriflavin
Acriflavin is a mild antiseptic usually applied to the whole pond to reduce the numbers of bacteria in the water. It is added at a mild enough dose not to harm the filter bacteria. Should a larger dose be required then the treatment must be used as a Dip. Acriflavin will treat bacterial skin infections, and help to sterilise infected wounds and ulcers.
Use 72 mls of ACRIFLAVIN per gall for 30 minutes. Repeat this treatment daily as required.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This is available from chemists in a 3% solution. As a 68ml per gall dip for 10 minutes it works well in ridding the fish of protozoan and fluke parasites.
This treatment should only be used once.
Hydrogen peroxide is also useful in deactivating Potassium permanganate, if there has been an overdose or the fish show an adverse reaction. Add an equal amount of Hydrogen peroxide to the amount of permanganate.

Note:- All of the above information is provided as a guide only and as such the full manufacturers instructions must be followed at all times when using any of the above products