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Ask any pond owner about fish and you’re likely to get a mixed response depending on who you talk to. For some, having fish is just a fundamental part of having a pond. For others they may be more of a hassle that they simply don’t want to bother with.
Based on our friends who own ponds, there are many more folks who would prefer to have fish despite the fact that they often require care and feeding, and like any living thing, sometimes they can get sick. I’m not sure anything is more distressing than having a sick fish because it’s not always easy to tell what’s going on, or how to help.
On any given day, we may get a number of questions on fish health or illness and it’s nice that people turn to us, or think of us when they really need assistance. Many times we are able to provide some support or advice that will turn a bad situation around. Despite this, I’ve never looked at myself as an authoritative source on fish health as much as I might be on other aspects of pond management. And because of this I will often suggest a struggling pond fish owner contant a veterinarian who has some experience with fish.
Finding a vet like this might be hard to do in your local area. It’s not to say it would be impossible but most vets work with cats, dogs, and maybe a few other exotics, but fish may or may not be in that mix. Fortunately with the advent of the internet, you won’t have to look any farther than your computer keyboard for some very helpful information on fish health and management.
Dr. Erik Johnson has set up several websites that I personally think every fish pond lover should bookmark if, or most likely, when, a problem develops with your fish. Dr. Johnson’s main website that I visit from time to time is at KoiVet.com and upon visiting that site you’ll find other links to useful advice at pondcrisis.com and fishcrisis.com as well as a few others.
Dr. Johnson and I share a similar opinion that good management and awareness is probably the most important key to maintaining a healthy and vibrant fish pond. Beyond that, if your fish begin to run into some health issues, you’ll be able to quickly diagnose and begin to correct the problem accordingly. And should you ever run into a real stumper of a problem, diagnostic services are available as well.
Please enjoy this valuable resource. More importantly…please use it!:)
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