AboutRon Coleman Expertise I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish. Please do not ask me questions about why your goldfish are sick -- they are almost always sick due to the way that they are sold). Also, please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen
eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. Thanks.
Experience I teach at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.
Organizations belong to American Cichlid Association, Pacific Coast Cichlid Association, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, etc
Publications Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes
Expert: Ron Coleman Date: 5/11/2008 Subject: my fish
Question I have a pond full of koi, Sassafras, and Comets. I have a Sassifras with
slightly bulging, clouded eyes and a comet with the same problem but has
had it longer and is worse. It's the begining of mating season and for some
strange reson two of my comets (not thee bulging eye one) got bumped so
much on the sides that they have big blotches on their head and belly of ne
scales. One of them has a weird, almost fuzzy thing on it's sides. We think it
might be Ick or possible frayed flesh and we're all very concerned! My family
and I dug it our selves and planted real plants to make it as real as possilbe.
We have a large bog that wors as a filter for the entier pond. Our fish, as well
as the pond, are seven years old. We just creard out the bog and filled it with
new lava rocks today because of their odd conditions. Plz get back to me
soon We've made a hospital tankcomplete with a bubble mashine, snails, and
some sort of dissolving medication we bought thats supposed to cure ALL
types of fish illnesses.
Thank you for reading this!
Kiyahna
Answer Hi Kiyahna,
Unfortunately I really don't know what the problem is.
The fact that several fish are showing symptoms suggests either
that there is a lot of fighing going on or there is something
wrong with the water in your pond. I'm sorry I can't be of
more help.
How large is the pond?
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
