It is very likely that there is more than one disease and possibly several parasites involved in these problems i.e. Initial reports submitted by various Veterinarians across the country indicate every thing from a herpes virus, Trichodina, flukes, Ich, chilodinella, costia, and a bacteria, of the Aeromonas class.

What's being done. reported by Jeanenne Pershing of the Camellia Koi Club. The Northern Calif. folks have contacted Ron Hedrick at UC Davis. He has said this is likely the virus he found six months or so ago (originally seen in September of '98). The No. Cal. folks have arranged to get him infected fish next week and he has agreed to look at them to determine what's wrong. He says it will take two weeks from the time he receives the fish.

Reported in the AKCA Minutes of July 1999 Spike Cover went to the AKCA board meeting in July and made a (successful) pitch to have AKCA fund a "search for the cure." This project relates specifically to the gill disease that seems to be infecting many ponds. The AKCA approved $6,000 with the possibility to come back for more if needed. Spike envisions the following scenario: A selected researcher eventually isolates the bug or bugs causing the current gill disease problem. The Researcher grows the pathogen(s) and infects healthy fish, confirms they are sick as a result of the pathogen and then tests various treatments which are thought to possibly cure the disease. If a cure or cures is/are found, the results will immediately be posted on the AKCA and other web sites. Also, the information will be published in KOI USA.

Al Dentone is now financing an investigation to isolate the pathogen for a possible vaccine.

Report by Dr Eric Johnson Fish sent to UGA with gill disease symptoms and which were completely non responsive to antibiotics DID NOT HAVE viruses. This only refers to the fish sent to UGA and does not intend to reflect on what others may be seeing. Shoot this thing with all the drugs you want and it marches on. Interestingly, survivors are immune to future outbreaks. They can carry this pathogen and not be clinically affected for months. It does not require a parasite host. I am still convinced it's a bacteria, of the Aeromonas class

What I am doing Due to these recent fish kills in the koi hobby, it has been proposed, that a central data gathering area be set up to collect input and post output concerning any information pertaining to the recent fish kills. To that end, I have consented to tackle this job.

I intend to set up a newsletter containing recently released information. It is my intention to show no bias as to the source of the information - all researches/researchers that care to submit their results will be included. This newsletter will originally be sent to all AKCA Reps of record and E Mailed to anyone listed in the "Great Koi People" on the AKCA Web Site.

All of the information, except survey results, will be posted at www.koiusa.com/research/index.htm.

An open forum/bulletin board has been set up at www.koiusa.com/research/gills.htm

You can contact me at 520 682-7697 or 520 616-7822 between 1:00 PM and 9:30 PM PST or FAX 520-623-6188 E mail gills@koiinfocentral.8m.com

What can you do? Enclosed is a copy of a survey that has been prepared to help isolate a common denominator. It is very long and involved; and no one is expected to know, or fill in all of the questions. Please give a copy of this survey to anyone that you know who has had a large fish kill in the past year. The survey is also available on line a www.koiusa.com/infocentral/survey.htm Please note that the surveys will be strictly confidential and shared ONLY with the three Veterinarians noted below (if they so choose to participate)

Monetary, as well as equipment and man hour donations are needed. There are 3 investigators at present. Dr Ron Hedrick of UC Davis, Dr Joe Groff (N California) and Dr Eric Johnson (Atlanta Georgia). Their proposals, needs, etc are listed on this web site. Your donations will be channeled directly to the Investigator of your choice.

Fish: Ideally, it is best to examine live fish with the condition but that this is not always practical or desirable. However, with high losses, I would strongly encourage shipment of live sick fish. Fish that are well-packaged (double-bagged with minimal clean water and lots of oxygen; placed in a Styrofoam container with blue ice packs) generally do well using direct overnight shipment (UPS only) or airline courier service such as Delta Dash or Southwest. Otherwise, overnite express shipment of frozen fish packed on ice or dry ice would also be useful but is less than ideal since a complete examination on frozen fish is impossible. These fish can be used for bacterial and viral isolation although there is no guarantee that the pathogen will be isolated and a histopathological examination on frozen fish is impossible. Tissues (especially the gills but also the internal organs) should be fixed in 10% buffered formalin (available at your local friendly vet or lab, this prevents the isolation of pathogens but can at least provide a diagnosis; that is, if the condition is this particular gill problem or a separate problem.