I just had a problem with one of mine about a month ago. Only thing I could come up with was finrot. Here's a picture of Longshot. He normally has the longest flowing fins and tail. He was swimming funny when I first noticed it. I treated him with Tri Cide Neo Dip every other day for 4 times. He seems to be fine now. I am going to try to catch him again and see how it has grown back. He was easy to catch before but now I'll probably have a harder time, because he can swim faster now. I order the Tri Cide Neo frm pondrx.com and I won't ever be without some on hand at all times. Glenda

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I forgot to say that I also fed medicated food for 2 weeks also. He was the only one affected that I know of. Glenda

the guy who told you to bring it in and keep it at 80 degrees in salt water and give it a daily antibiotic bath (tricide neo dips for 5 days) is correct. That will take care of it. It is not contagious really, but whatever caused it in this fish can also cause it to happen in other fish. Probably high bacteria levels in the pond. Get that pond and filter cleaned out asap to lower bacteria levels.

Thanks guys. Here's the delema, my DH is one of those that would just like me to get rid of the pond, he has no interest. I brought a fish with swim bladder in once and fed it peas in a 2.5 gallon container, he went bezerk that I was going to such extents to "save a fish". I can see doing the daily bath (I can do while he is at work) but I am pretty sure DH would have a hairy conniption if I brought the 30 gal bucket in with areator and heater. Wouldn't you know we are going to get into the 40s again this weekend so I don't know if keeping it outside will work. Thanks for setting me straight on the right guy to listen to! I wish his shop was not 2&1/2 hours from me. I can get the dip stuff from him, but I really don't think I can keep this fish at 80 degrees in the house, it really needs to stay in the pond if I am to keep peace at home. Do you think the dip alone will work? Poor guy, he MUST be hurting.

When I treated mine, I just caught him each day I put him in the dip. No more than 5 min are instructions. I used a timer and had an airstone in the gallon container I used. I put him back in the bag of pond water that I brought him in the house in and took him back to the pond and released him. Even in Fl we have had some pretty cool morning temps. so I didn't necessarily warm him up. Especially 80 degrees. I can only say this worked for me. My husband is the same way, just can't see going to all that trouble and besides he thought they were the easiest thing in the world to raise. But he also knows that after 47 years that I am going to do what I want to anyway he just has to get over it. And he does some dumb things I don't always agree with but that's life. I always say "whatever it takes to float your boat". Glenda

I'm with Glenda. Do you have an out of the way place, like an extra bathroom or mudroom that you can put the bucket in, perhaps with an aquarium heater to bring the water temps up? Maybe if it's in a place where hubby doesn't see it all the time he'd accept it better. I really don't understand his objections. Pond fish can live a long time. I'd hate for the guy not to have a fair shake.

Thanks Glenda, I ordered the dip, the food and something to treat Flukes that Rick from Gold Fish Connections recomended for spring and fall treatment. I really hate putting things in my pond but after this episode I guess I will have to. Nancy, my Hubby is Swedish and very ornery. If he decides he dosent like someting he does not feel he has to have a reason or an explaination, the fact that he does not like it should be enough in his mind. The problem here is that I am part Cherokee and just as ornery. LOL! I try to pick my battles wisely! ;)

Another tip....when using Tricide Neo, mix it with distilled water. I think the instructions say that but I'm not sure. Good luck to you!

Lisa, after I mix the dip and have dipped the fish the first time, I strain it through cheese cloth and put it in the refrigerator until the next time. When you go to use it again, bring it up to the temp of the pond water, by sitting the container it is in; in a sink of warm water. The dip can be used over and over as long as you keep it clean and refrigerated. Be sure to mark the container so someone won't try to drink it. I just put mine in the back of the refrigerator because people around my house can't find anything if it's not right before their eyes.It has good instructions with it. I didn't catch Longshot again but can see his fin has grown back. Glenda

Bump..

Glenda, I gave the first bath today, as you saw in my other post the granuals did not disolve all the way and looked like sand on the bottom of the bath tank. I put the water back in the jug it came in and left it out in the garadge we are going to be in the low 30s tonight. I had set the jug out in the pond for 1/2 hour to get it to the right temp so it was cold before I put the Tricide in. I wonder if I should bring it in and let it get to room temp for it to disolve better, then take it out and cool it down to match the pond temp.

Lisa, don't worry overmuch about some granules in the bottom, I think the medicine is going to work just as well. When I mix mine I usually just take water out of the tap and mix it. Even though directions say that distilled water works better. My tap water and pond water is basically the same temp most of the time. Even with our hot temps my pond is large and deep enough and has enough circulation that it still stays pretty close to the same temp. Glenda

The next day I emptied the treated water from the jug into the bath tank and it looked to be disolved. I have done the 4th treatment and the fish is looking a little better....at least it is not gettng any worse. Not near as much "fuzzy" looking stuff on it. Poor thing's belly is just raw though it does seem to be starting to heal a tiny bit. I have decided to name this fish "zippy" because even though it is missing most of it's bottom fins it can zip around faster than most of the other fish. (I have never named a fish) The other fish all look fine except for a few scales that look to be slightly "lifted" and more reflective. The pond has been treated with Aqua-Prazi as per Rick from GoldFish Connections instructions. If it ever warms up enough again I will start the medicated food.

Lisa, last year Longshot had a big patch of fuzzy cottany looking stuff on him and I treated him and several other fish with the Tricide and after the fuzzy stuff fell off there was a huge place on his side that looked like someone had pulled all his hide and scales off him. Just raw meat. After a few days it started to heal and each day the spot got smaller and smaller. And he healed and you could not tell anything had ever been wrong with him. So just be patient and I believe Zippy will soon be ok also. Glenda