Figure 14 shows several signs of disease.
If you see any of these signs, get a diagnosis immediately. Early
diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.Low oxygen, handling, crowding, transporting, and poor nutrition all cause stress, making fish more susceptible to parasites and diseases. If fish feed slowly or stop altogether, appear sick, or die, analyze the situation immediately.
Test the water to see if the condition could be caused by low oxygen, high carbon dioxide, ammonia or nitrite toxicity, or pesticide pollution. If these problems can be eliminated, watch the fish closely.
Are the fish:
Catch some fish that seem sick. Do they have:
Figure 14 shows several signs of disease.
If you see any of these signs, get a diagnosis immediately. Early
diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.
The Southern Cooperative Fish Diseases Project diagnoses fish diseases free of charge during working hours Monday through Friday.
Send your samples to:
Or, if you live in the area, send them to:
A good diagnosis depends on proper sample collection and transportation. Samples must be transported quickly. If possible bring your fish to the disease lab in person.
Bus transportation is most reliable when shipping to Auburn. Shipping by overnight carrier may be possible, but check with the carrier. Include a separate water sample along with the fish, so that water quality can be checked.
Finally, always call the disease lab and confirm the shipment.
Results of bacterial diagnosis take 2 or 3 days. The pond owner will be notified of the results and recommended treatments as soon as they are available.
More information on collecting and sending samples to the diagnostic
labs can be found in Extension circular ANR-562, "Guidelines
For Collecting And Shipping Diseased Fish." This publication
is available from your county Extension agent or the Extension
fisheries specialists.