Injured koi!! Help!?

Question

I have 3 koi in a 70 gal. tank. They are fairly small right now only about6 inch each. Yesterday one of them some how managed to get lodged into the "tree" stump ornament that was in the tank. We think it happened early yesterday and we didnt find it until late last night. He has gashes on him and is missing half of his tail and his anal fin along with the majority of his scales missing on one side. He did survive the night which i really think is a miracle but I am worried that he may still die. We have put some Melafix in the tank and added a little salt to reduce stress. He seems to be doing...okay I guess. The main thing is that now where his scales came off is like a fuzzy looking something. Could this be him healing or an infection? Here is a pic to try and better explain what I am talking about. Any help on what else we should do to make him feel better would be great

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2007222&l=76f75&id=183701348

I am not talking about the fins. They look that way because they were torn off. I am talking about the part where his scales are missing.

Answer 1

It's most likely this is an infection by Saprolegnia or Achlya (collectively called "body fungus" even though they aren't a true fungus), but it's hard to make out in the photo since the shot was taken straight on - white "fuzz" against light skin and white scales doesn't show up that well. See if this photo resembles what you're seeing looking at the fish from the top: http://www.uib.no/bot/kurs/BB220/Algae/Figures/fish.jpg Also in this photo growing on a dead bug in water: http://www.visualsunlimited.com/images/watermarked/227/227311.jpg

The bacterial infection (Columnaris) mentioned by Mrs. Crabs can look similar, but the individual filaments would be shorter and matted together. I mention both, because it's important that you differentiate between the two to correctly treat your fish. The "body fungus" or saprolegnia can be treated with a fungal medication, malachite green (ingredient in many ich medications), or salt, but Columnaris should be treated with antibiotics (which will upset the beneficial bacteria in the tank). Since it's only the one fish that was affected, and only after the injury, I would be more inclined to believe this is Saprolegnia, but only you can see the fish well enough to determine this.

Below are some web resources with additional photos and treatment info for you. Along with medicating, be sure to keep the water quality as good as possible - you'll never be totally rid of the Saprolegnia/Achlya spores, but these will only attach weakened or injured fish. Yours look like he was really through a lot.

Answer 2

Remove the "tree" first off, it happens once it will happen agian. Next Melafix doesn't do anything at all, its a waste of time and money.
You are going to need a good antibiotic food. Medi-Gold from www.goldfishconnection.com
Keep the water PRISTINE! If the tank is established then keep nitrates under 10 ppm. If the tank is new, you are really going to have to roll up your sleeves and keep the ammonia under .25 and the nitrite under .25. That may mean a heafty water change on a daily basis. If you have a quarintine tank use that for the fish to heal up in, make sure its filtered, and the filter is seeded from the main tanks filter, either with bio-media or foam pads or simply dump some of the brownish mulm into the filter. The fish can recover, but its going to need a lot of TLC. I'd say odds are 50/50, he's pretty torn up.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear about your poor fish. People say "call a vet" like you've got a dog that you can walk in. Good idea, but not always practical, and a lot of vets don't treat fish. I don't know of many people who put a leash on their fish and take it to the vet .

Anyway, in all seriousness, from the picture, it looks to me like he might be getting a bacterial infection which needs to be treated ASAP. I would get a broad spectrum antibiotic and put it in his water (make sure you take the carbon filter media out so it doesn't absorb the medicine), and to be on the safe side, feed him an anti-bacterial food according to the instructions for the amount of time stated.

I would also add some aquarium salt (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons), as this will help him heal. IF you happen to have a vet that does treat fish you, you may want to try to see if they will suggest something to you over the phone. I think, unfortunately, that this is going to be a case of 50/50, he's either going to make it (with some TLC) or he will succumb to the secondary infections he will develop. This is why it is a good idea to get the antibiotic ASAP. Make sure you keep his tank very very clean, doing about a 20% water change every other day. Do not over feed, and when you start him on the antibiotic you shouldn't feed any other food (so he'll eat the medicine).

Keep your eye on him and watch for any changes. If you would like, you could always contact me through the e-mail link, I'd be happy to try to help.

Good luck to you and your fish!! ;o)

Answer 4

You should call the vet about this but I believe the fish's fuzzy looking thing is most likely fin rot my fish has had fin rot over 20 times and almost died from it a number of times. Go to the local pet shop or petco and they should have a remedy for fin rot, the instructions are on the bottle. You just drop some in for a few days. I would call the vet or go to the vet even better.

Answer 5

Don't know your location, but Cal State Long Beach has a Koi Pond/Garden and they are very knowledgeable about the Koi. It's called the Japanese Garden of CSULB.

Answer 6

OMG!!
I'm so sorry :(

I suggest you take him to a vet immediately.

Ahh i hope he survives :(