Hi Everyone

I inherited a fish about a year ago, the poor thing had some serious stress during its life with its previous owner. It jumped out of the pond a number of times due to bad filtration and water conditions. Spent some time in a green swimming pool too, luckily HTH wasn't added for a few months prior....anyway I took him on and put him in my pond.

When I got him, he had the start of an ulcer on his back, just ahead of the dorsal fin between the head and the fin. The ulcer has not grown in size, the fish is 50cm, and the ulcer is 2-3cm, it has also not broken through the scales to reveal flesh. The scales are a bit raised though and there is some pinkness. Some weeks it looks like the ulcer is getting better, but every now and then it seems to "flare" up again.

The fish is active, eats well, doesn't jump, and is generally happy. Water parametres are perfect although the TA could be higher, its a bit low.

I don't like the idea of taking him out and applying medicine, so I want to ask if Garlic will sort him out or if there is a food with ulcer meds in it to feed him?

Thanks for your help

Hi Ed

I know you get food with medicine mixed into it but I took Paul's advice and mixed terramycin with clay, garlic, vita C and pellets. It worked good and I was happy with results. I think the garlic will only prevent parasites and wont be a cure but still handy to use. I used 2grams terramycin with 250g pellets and used the clay to bind it all together

Hi Ed, I also don't like to take out a fish and medicate unless really necessary and will inject only as a last resort.

I had very good results with Terramycin, which is a broad spectrum anti-biotic. The garlic will do good. Marius has got a good idea. You can also make a paste with Terramycin and Borches Olive and Garlic oil mix and clay.

Read the interesting article by Chris Neaves on clay posted yesterday.

Ed,

Any picture of this problem?

Thanks so far for the responses

I'll take a pick ASAP and post. It doesn't look that bad, but it could get alot worse....

Thanks again
Ed

Hi Ed

It might be HIKUI [ Skin cancer ]. I've seen and and owned koi with a bad dose of hikui. It takes on the appearance of an ulcer, but does not adversely affect the host or it's pond companions.

Post a pic. before you medicate.