Tuesday, April 8, 2008

New Bike--WooHoo!!!


Every once in awhile, we must treat ourselves. The big treat for me was a 2008 Trek Madone 5.5. It was hard handing over that credit card but again we must treat ourselves. And doesn't all this riding save me from doctors' bills. I got the bike last year around my birthday. I have been riding it ever since. Like all new bikes I have had to make a few adjustments, but lately it has been riding really well. As I say in my profile, I am a serious recreational road cyclist. But that doesn't mean I'm good. So I am learning to ride it as well.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Disease Spotlight: Ich

It is getting close to that time of year when disease problems are more prevalent! Last year for the first time I identified Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) in a carp pond. Ich has also been referred to as White Spot. Ich is highly contagious and can spread quickly.

White spots on the skin or gills of the fish is a classic sign of Ich. The white spots are like small grains of salt that have been sprinkled over the skin of the fish. Fish may also appear to be irritated and have decreased activity--don't bite.

Ich goes through a life cycle. The breeding stage is when the parasite gets on the host skin. When this stage matures it leaves the fish and produces many, many young. These young must find a fish host in order to survive. This is the free-swimming stage of Ich.

Disease Treatment

Treatment can be difficult because the breeding stage is protected. The free-swimming stage is susceptible to treatment. Since the life cycle is dependent on water temperature so is the application of treatments. A single treatment will not do the job; multiple treatments are needed. The water temperature determines the timing of the treatments. Warmer temperatures (75-79oF), treatments are performed every other day. Cooler temperatures (60oF) require treatments to be performed 4 to 5 days apart.

A common treatment is copper sulfate. Beware, copper sulfate can be toxic to fish at low alkalinities. Alkalinity must be measured before treatment. The concentration of copper sulfate is determined based on alkalinity.

Potassium permanganate is another option for those you can not use copper sulfate.

Remember, treat on sunny days. Many treatments kill the oxygen producing plankton in your pond. Have emergency aeration available. Aerators also help to mix the treatments in the pond.

Before treating, the correct diagnosis is essential. Please consult with your local extension agent about disease identification and treatment.

On a less serious note, in a local retail store in the Health & Beauty section, the aisle is labeled "Ich Relief". I chuckle to myself each time I pass it. (It is meant to be "Itch Relief").