During the winter and early spring, when the water temperature is very low, small white spots can appear all over the Koi's body. This is due primarily to poor water conditions with the white spots increasing gradually until the entire skin peels off the body. Eventually the Koi gets so weak it dies. This disease is caused by Ichthyophthirius.

It is treated by bathing the fish with Methylene Blue or Malachite Green in warm water (above 75 to 80 degrees F)

*Information on this page is an excerpt from "KOI" by Grant Fujita, available at the AKCA online bookstore.