Costia
Costia can eliminate an entire collection quickly if not treated urgently.
Identifying Costia:
The parasite is bean shaped but when attached to skin of koi it becomes pear shaped. The parasite attaches with its thin end to the slime/skin coat and destroys the latter. When the skin/gills are damaged then bacterial or fungal infections can occur. Costia is more prevalent if the host(fish) immune’s system is compromised.
Costia resembles a small comma under the microscope.
Costia can only survive on fish if there is a host. They can not survive in temperatures above 30 degrees celcius.
Diagnosing the symptoms in koi:
- The fins of the fish start to clamp and their behaviour change to a “parking” mode.
- The fish become lethargic and bundle together in the corners of pond or onto the floor of the pond.
- Sunken eyes are a symptom indicating that the fish are already infected for too long a period. “Spiderweb” wounds and excessive slime are particular symptoms of Costia infections.
- Dry skin spots are another developing symptom.
Treatment against Costia :
Contact a Koi Health Specialist for assistance urgently
