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Sick Goldfish Problem
(Last Updated 2nd November 2001)
5th July 2001: A recent spell of hot weather seems to have reduced the goldfish population in our 200-gallon garden pond from 20 to 10 within four weeks.
The pond has been established for many years, and the 20 fish were in there when we moved in over two years ago (North-West London, England).
We presume they are being killed by heat stress. The symptoms are: lethargic fish, loses buoyancy, floats to the surface, loses scales, resulting in white patches particularly on sides and underside, has no desire to feed, and eventually dies. It seems to affect the smaller fish first.
There are oxygenating plants in the pond, and a pond pump which is switched on most days for a few hours at a time (although in summer we ran it 11am-8pm every day). Lily pads cover about 40% of the surface, and there are overhanging leaves at the edge of the pond which provide shade for the fish. The pond is not fully in direct sunlight at any time of day because of the trees and bushes next to the pond.
We have tried anti-bacterial liquid (Myxazin P) in case it is an infection. We had been using it for four days (with no fish dying) when, after moving some vegetation aside in the pond, discovered two dead fish, and a further two in the main section of the pond, which had been "healthy" the day before. Fortunately today (5th July) there haven't been any new casualties.
I have bought some new flake food which they love! Hopefully that will provide them with better nutrition (if that's what it was).
Here are photographs of the 5 most recently deceased fish. As you can see, a couple had probably been dead in the water for some time (a few days). All were showing signs of scale loss.
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4th July 2001 |
27th June 2001 |
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Update:
On 8th August 2001, another fish was found to have the same symptoms. Again, after being taken into isolation, it died the next day.
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Since this one died, there are now 8 fish left in the pond (out of 20 at the start of the year) and no others have so far shown symptoms.
Higher resolution images are available if required for closer examination.
Thanks, Helen.
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