Koi herpes virus or KHV for short
The Koi Herpes Virus, also known as KHV, is a highly contagious virus. In most cases, KHV is a deadly disease for pond fish. Fortunately, it is not very common and KHV infection in koi is only transmissible through fish that carry the koi herpes virus. KHV can be recognized by the fish’s ruined gills and skin in a few days. There is also excessive mucus production, loss of mucous membrane, skin wounds and herpes-like rings on the skin.
Koi herpes treatment and prevention
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It is wise to immediately quarantine KHV infected and diseased koi outside the pond
There are no medicines against viruses. So the Koi herpes virus cannot be treated either. The immune system of the infected fish will have to deal with the virus itself. It is wise to immediately place the sick koi in quarantine outside the pond. The virus can multiply very quickly in the ideal temperature for the virus of 22-24 degrees Celsius. At lower (18-21 degrees Celsius) or higher (25-28 degrees Celsius) temperatures, the virus cannot multiply as quickly and the disease does not progress as quickly. The fish then have a little more time to fight the virus.
Quarantining new fish can also prevent the spread of KHV. Preventive measures generally work adequately to keep this virus out of the pond.
Very important are the following points:
- Ensure good water quality. To this end, measure the pond water regularly
- There may be an excess of fish in the pond. Guideline is 50 cm of fish length per 1,000 liters of water, so about 1 koi per 1,000 liters of water
- A good filter, equipped with activated carbon offers a solution because this carbon can purify all kinds of micro-fine dust particles from the water. It also filters out various pathogens.
- Give the koi good quality feed, especially suitable for koi
