De-Worming Pond Fish?

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PallasAthena

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May 17, 2009
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I remember reading somewhere than pond fish tend to have parasites. I know we give our dog heartguard regularly, so I wondered if, as a responsible pond owner, I should treat my pond fish for parasites periodically. Is this necessary or reccomended? Is there any sort of regular health maintenance I should do for my fish like we do for ourselves and our furry pets? Besides the obvious of maintaining their home correctly.

Sorry if this is a dumb question. I just want to be sure I'm taking good care of my scaley amigos.
 
An annual deworming for internal parasites and flukes using praziquantel is not a bad idea actually. External parasites such as anchorworms though may need more than just praziquantel. I ended up treating almost 90% of my goldfish for infestations of fish lice and anchorworms, both parasites being very common in goldfish sold in my area. Dimilin is a much safer treatment for those external parasites.
 
That's really good info Lupin. Thank you. Would those treatments nuke my biological filter? I wouldn't think so since they are anti-parasitics instead of anti-biotics, but I want to be sure. Cycling the pond is a job and the last thing I want to do is to have to go through that again!

I wonder if parasites would be even more prevalent in my area since there is no winter. I would think that a few months of cold weather would knock parasites back just like with fleas and ticks, but we don't freeze at all in Coastal California. Not even close! So I wonder if it would be something that, as a Californian, I would definitely want to stay on top of.
 
Clean water and good quality foods will go along way in the health of the fish. I like to mix a medicated pellet in my summer mix of chow as a prevent defense. Good point on the freezing conditions, would like to know the scientific answer to that since colder water temps. allow the immune system to slow down too.
 
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