Water Gardening: Please look at this fish-what is this "bruise and spot"?, 1 by Carolyn22

Carolyn22 wrote:
Rich,

I do understand from a business perspective, however, I did think it was harsh for Mothermole to hear that.

Mothermole - we had ulcer disease on 2 separate ocassions with a spring start up. The first time, 5-6 years ago, we were relatively new to ponding and really did not have a lot of experience. Our favorite fish had saproglena (sp?) and the dreaded ulcers. Most people that we had any discussions with thought that our fish was a goner.

The instructions we had received included salt baths (that was scarey), Proform C, water exchanges in the pond as per the instructions on Proform C, and antibiotic foods. By the time the algae strips of Saproglena had finally been shed from my kois body, she was open all the way down to the muscle - you could see the grains in the open areas of her where the skin had come off.

She took all Summer to heal and grow strong, which she did do. - I have a picture below of her that I took last Summer (I am at work and most of my pics are home). She is the big white one in the center - My daughter named her 7 years ago when we first got her as 'General Chow' - her name has since been shortened to 'The General'.

Anyway, the moral to my story is don't give up. Never give up. We have had The General since our very first batch of fish 7-8 years, and 3 ponds ago. She will always have a warm spot in our hearts. Yes, she is not a special breed or anything, but she is very special to us.

The second time we had the ulcers, I was able to get it very early - it was this past Spring when we started up. I did give them all a course of Triple antibiotic food and elevated the salt levels in my pond. This took care of the ulcer problem for this year.

Best of luck to you. Rich, I know you meant no harm, but those of us that are not in business do get attached to our fish.

MM - keep us informed and don't give up hope!

Best wishes,
Carolyn