- Potassium Permanganate
–
Still one of the best bactericides available, cheap and effective, can be used at any
temperature (see below) and reduces bacteria count and cleans up external wounds on our
koi very effectively. Has the added benefit that it kills many common parasites as well.
Effective against Gill and Body
Fluke, Costia, Chilodonella and Trichodina.
Dose 1.5gm to 2gm per ton. Between
temperatures of 5 Deg. C and 18 Deg. C may be used at 2gm per ton with good aeration,
especially for parasite treatment. Do not use over 18 Deg. C at this dosage. Mix with warm
water and leave to stand for 30 minutes before use. Switch off UV. May be repeated after 5
days, depending on temperature. Can be used with salt up to ½ oz per gallon.
- Chloramine T
. Very similar to
Potassium, slightly more expensive, but like potassium kills bacteria and many parasites.
Must be used above 12.5 Deg. C.
Mix with warm water and use
immediately. Switch off UV.
Effective against Gill and Body
Fluke, Costia
- Salt. The great tonic, great
supportive treatment when treating koi for a wide variety of ailments, can be used as a
dip and can be used to kill parasites and bacteria at high strength. Helps lessen the
burden on the koi’s osmoregulatory system (helps keep the koi’s fluid bodily
level in balance). Cannot be used with all chemicals, notably potassium and chloramine T
at high strength. Max recommended dosage with these chemicals is ½ ounce per gallon
(0.33%)
Dose – For use as a general
supportive treatment and ‘tonic’ – ½ ounce per gallon (0.33%).
As a supportive when treating
bacterial infection with other treatments, such as Acraflavine – ¾ ounce per gallon
(0.50%).
As a dip – 4 ounces per gallon
(2.64%) for 15 minutes OR until the koi shows signs of distress – whichever is
the shorter.
Warning. Must never be used with
Formalin or Anaesthsetics.
- Acraflavine and Acraflavine
derivatives
. Great non-aggressive treatment for bacterial disease, and like potassium
and chloramine, cleans up external wounds very well, and can be used with salt. One of the
only recognised cures for dropsy when used in conjunction with salt. May be safely
overdosed, and whilst at high strengths it will affect your filter, it will not harm your
fish.
Dose – as per manufacturers'
recommendations. For Dropsy use at 4 x strength with Salt at 1 ounce per gallon. Excellent
treatment for Whitespot when used with salt.
- Proflavine Hemisulphate
.
Excellent bactericide can be used with salt and, like Acraflavine non-aggressive. Acts
systemically, (internally) unlike the drugs above, and can therefore be effective against
septicaemia and internal infections, including dropsy. Ideal treatment therefore where
antibiotics cannot be used. Like Acraflavine can be overdosed without harming your koi.
It’s only drawback is it’s cost and it is therefore ideal for hospital tanks and
quarantine systems.
Dose – 4.5gm per 1000 gallons.
Use with Salt at ¾ ounce (0,50%) for best results and at temperatures over 16 Deg. C.
Repeat treatment every seven days or until symptoms improve. Complete 25% water changes
between treatments.
- Elbagin
. Used by the Japanese
for many years but strangely little used in the UK. Excellent mild fungicide and
bactericide. Ideal treatment to help prevent cross infection, for transporting fish and
can be used with salt. Great de-stressor, non-aggressive and can be used as a dip and
overdosed with safety. Perfect treatment to be used as a gill wash and therefore is much
used for helping newly imported koi recover from their journey. Great alternative to
Malachite and much less aggressive. Again the only drawback is the cost. Switch off UV
Dose – As a long term pond
treatment for stress – 5gm – 10gm per ton. To help prevent cross infection in
the pond 10gm per ton. As a dip and gill wash – 20 gm. per ton for 30 minutes with
good aeration. Mix with warm water and use immediately. Switch off UV.
- Tea Tree Oil
. Sold as Melafix, a
natural product – not a drug, excellent for curing surface ulcers on our koi, can be
used with salt, can be safely overdosed and does not affect filters and therefore helps
keep water quality in peak condition. Once again the only drawback is its very high cost.
Therefore ideal for hospital tanks and quarantine systems.
Dose as per manufacturers'
instructions. Use over 16 Deg. C with salt at ½ ounce per gallon for best results. Switch
off UV.
- Propolis
. A completely natural
product, a bi-product of honey production and used by bees to line the inside of the hive.
Reputed to be natures own perfect antibiotic and it is claimed that bacteria cannot become
resistant to Propolis. Has actually been used in human health since Roman times and is
still used today in dentistry in certain countries to treat mouth ulcers. Also used to
treat skin problems and can be found in a cream as well as in a liquid form. Used by koi
keepers as a food additive (some foods are now including Propolis in their standard
recipes). When used in this form helps to boost the koi’s own immune system, and
therefore their disease resistance. Can also be used to treat ulcers directly, and is an
ideal topical treatment to clean and treat wounds. One of the best topical treatments
available today (just look at it’s uses through history) and will stick to Mucus and
wet koi like you have never seen. Excellent treatment for mouth ulcers, and round the eyes
and gills where you would not want to use nasty chemicals. Try pouring a little into a dry
glass jar, leave for a few seconds, and then try washing it off! Even if you use soap and
warm water a residue can normally plainly be seen sticking to even the smoothest
container. A zillion times better as a topical treatment in my humble view than most of
the bottled junk available today. Started off life very expensive, but happily the cost is
coming down rapidly. If you don’t like using it on your koi you can add it to your
tea! It will probably increase your sex life by a good ten years!!