Goldfish Bacterial Infection

Bacterial goldfish diseases and infections are very common in goldfish keeping and are probably one of the hardest health problems. Bacterial infection covers a range of goldfish illnesses, with varying causes. Dirty water and/or cold water, overcrowding and corn-based diets can lead to bacterial infection.

bacterial infections cause goldfish illnesses such as dropsy, tail and fin rot and ulcers if bacteria spread throughout the goldfish’s body this is known as a systemic infection.

There are four types of goldfish bacterial infections.

o Fin rot – resulting from environmental stress

o Bacterial body ulcers -lesions on the goldfish’s body

o Bacterial gill disease – in which the gills are the primary target

o Systemic bacterial disease – in which bacteria invade the goldfish’s body and damage internal organs.

Sign and symptoms of goldfish illnesses caused by bacterial infection include Red and inflamed areas on the body and fins, raised scales, skin ulcers, exophthalmos (pop-eye), dropsy or swollen abdomen, fin rot. Additionally, affected fish may be lethargic and anorexic.

Treatment of goldfish bacterial infections

There are four treatment methods for goldfish bacterial infections.

o Use Short-term baths for a few hours each day using anti-bacterial products such as potassium permanganate or antibiotics.

o Use Topical treatments: For open sores it is recommended to wash them in iodine or hydrogen peroxide solution and apply antibiotic ointment. Topical treatments can use in minor to moderate cases.

o Medicated food These are specially prepared foods containing antibiotics. You can prepare your own medicated food by top-dressing ordinary food with an appropriate antibiotic.

o Antibiotics (injectable) This usually course of five injections over a ten-day period in combination with topical treatments. The positive side of this method is a high cure rate (over 90% cure).