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FAQs on Pondfish Disease 2
Related Articles: Koi/Pond Fish Disease,
Pondfish
Disease 3, Livestock
Treatment System, Gas
Bubble Disease/Emphysematosis, Pond Parasite
Control with DTHP, Hole in the Side Disease/Furunculosis,
Goldfish Disease,
Related FAQs: Pondfish Disease 1, Pond Environmental
Disease, Goldfish
Disease, |
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Albino Catfish in pond, winter health question 04/17/2006
We have an Albino Catfish in an outside pond, approx 500 gal pond, he has
been out there all winter with our koi fish,
<Mmm, likely a channel:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/ictalurids.htm>
after doing our spring cleaning of the pond, cleaning leaves and such out, we
noticed the catfish has this reddish color rash on the top of his body and
somewhat on the sides. He is normally all white, didn't know if our water
quality is still needing some fixing.
<Mmm, careful here>
The red rash looks like it is under his skin all the way back to his tail fins.
He swims around really well, so don't know what to do for him or her. Can you
advise? Should I be feeding him something different then what we feed the Koi??
<No>
Thanks for anything advice you can give us.
Connie McCunn
<I would not "do" anything here other than allow the water to warm up, keep
treating this fish as you have been. Likely the reddish coloring is due to
environmental stress... the cold, perhaps a degraded water quality over the
winter. Adding medicine, salt will do this fish no good. It will "cure" of its
own accord. Bob Fenner>
Pond disease, confusion, lack of useful info. 4/14/06
I have a 2800 gallon pond with blue light a 4000 a hour pump. A 4 tier water
fall its been running 2 years with no prob. My fish just got small white bump
spots on there nose and fins its on the gold fish and not the koi and
shubunkins. I treated the pond with MelaFix
<...>
after two hours some of the spots were gone ??? Where did they go I have no idea
do you ??? I have never added any salt should I ??
<Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/pdfshdisart.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Swimming habits of Koi Blue
Hi,
I have a 1200 gallon, established Koi pond with 8 Koi and 1 gold fish. I
obtained all of them at the same time about 2 years ago. All seem very happy
but one "Blue". A few days ago Blue separated itself from the rest. At times
it will gather with them or the others come over to it and hover around
him/her. "Blue" will sit at the bottom of the pond or swim up to the ledge and
sit for a while. On the occasion it swims - it will first swim backwards for
about 6 inches then it goes forward. When it starts swimming forward it swims
at a 45 degree angle. The tail does move as well as all the fins so I don't
think there is fin damage. The only other thing that might be of help is that
the front fins below/behind the gills are partially brown, around the area that
connects to the body. Blue does have some brown spots on his head and along his
body in a horizontal strip shape. I have never noticed nor have I ever looked
that closely to Blue before. Possible that this just may be his
coloring. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Michael Tarvin
<Some koi (all are the same species) do just have a sort of "anti social"
behavior repertoire, but this one reads like it is "blind"... Nothing much you
can do here in any/all cases, but drop food near its snout, on a regular time
basis to assure it is getting fed. Bob Fenner>
Sick pond goldfish...? 3/18/06
Fancy long tailed goldfish four year old appr. l pound from 2500 gallon pond
stands straight up like man looking at the sun. Doesn't move around much unless
you touch him, then he swims around a couple of seconds then back vertical
again. Been like this for at least a week or more. Other fish in pond does not
to seem affected. I now have him her in a five gallon bucket in the house. What
is problem, what can I do ????
Anita reeves
<??? Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/pdfshdisart.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Dead fish Aarrgh... ponds period 3/20/06
Hi
<Hello>
I inherited a pond last year when I moved house. There are [or should I say
were :-( ] 5 fish - look like goldfish but I'm not sure, they are mostly orange,
orange and white and there is one black one - they range in size from about 15cm
- 25cm in length. About a week ago my son found one |(apparently) dead at the
edge of the pond, but although it did move when he fished it out, it was
obviously not long for this world and was barely breathing. We put it in a
large container (plastic barrel) to reduce the likelihood of any infection to
the rest of the fish - though I suspected water quality to be the problem -
<Me too>
from what I know of aquarium fish. I really know nothing about pond fish other
than a note left me by the previous owners advising me to stop feeding and turn
off pump with the onset of winter (which is about when we moved so we haven't
had much to do with the fish up till now) and to turn the pump on in spring
which I have now done.
<You hopefully flushed the lines, filter/s if there...>
I don't know what type of pump it is but it seems pretty basic and they didn't
mention anything about filters - just that it may need cleaning out
occasionally.
We now look as though we are about to lose another fish - again one of the
smaller ones - I cant see any obvious injury or illness other than the lack of
life! Not wanting to be flippant - I am really concerned. Would appreciate any
advice or request for additional information you may need. I can send photos if
you need.
<You need to read first>
We have loads of amorous frogs who seem very lively - would the change in pond
life have any effect? Thanks in advance for your help. Also can you recommend a
book on keeping pond fish - I think I need to do some swatting.
Janet
<Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/Pond%20Sub%20Web.htm
Start at the top...>
P.S constipated aquarium Oranda - we have been feeding daphnia to no effect and
have added salt - going to try peas - do I squash them, remove the skin or what?
<Pinch the skins off>
(Obviously talking about the peas not the Oranda)
<Bob Fenner>
Re: Dead fish Aarrgh... ponds period 3/23/06
> Thanks for help - have done some swatting
<?>
and know where to look if need more help. Have done massive water change and
pump clean and all now seem to have livened up. Found a rotten frog at bottom
which must have been breeding bacteria etc. badly.
<Yikes>
We have 2 large fish and one small left and I think that 's probably enough from
what I've read. Anyway I'll keep on swatting and hope situation won't arise
again!
Janet
<Swatting? Thanks for the further input. Bob Fenner>
Hi
Swatting = intensive reading
Janet
<Ahh! Thank you for this. RMF>
Shubunkin problem ... pondfish env. dis. - 3/1/2006
Hello
<Good morning... or later>
You have helped me in the past regarding problems with a new pond. I am in
Cornwall, UK, and I have a 100 gall garden pond, with goldfish and
shubunkin. It has been cold lately with some snow and ice. One of the
shubunkin, the smallest at about 3" long, has been seen to be floating about in
the crevices along the pond edge for about a week. If touched it has swam away,
downwards.
<Likely either from the cold, or more likely from the too-quick change in
temperature. Larger ponds, with more depth in particular, are more thermally
stable>
On Sunday I had problems with the pump not working, and whilst out checking it,
noticed that this fish had sank to the bottom and appeared motionless. I
reached in and picked it out,
<Best not to "fool" with biota in ponds during cold seasons>
it was not dead so I returned it to the pond to see if it would swim. It got
caught in the flow of the waterfall and was tumbled downward and then lay at the
bottom again, as if dead. I have brought it in the house, and left it in a
bucket of pond water, along with a little weed.
<See the above>
It's gills are moving, and it's fins move from time to time, but it has a frayed
tail, and a small chunk of it's face appears missing and hanging off. It just
sits at the bottom of the bucket. At the base of the tail there appears to be a
small cloud of fluffy grey, not really attached and growing on the fish, but
just seems to be hanging on it. I have not disturbed it at all. Not knowing
what to do, and reluctant to stress the fish with chemical treatments I have
used Kusuri-Sabbactisun and Kusuri-Parazoryne, described as herbal treatments to
boost the immune system. The fish is still alive 3 days since being removed
from the pond, surely a good sign. I wonder if you have any advice on how I can
treat it. I would like to save it if I can as it is a particularly pretty fish,
very opaque and almost all over pink, with bits of orange, and specks of
grey. It is at present still in the bucket, in a cool unheated room. Would
warming it help?
<Not likely at this juncture... but worth a try. I would not return this fish to
the outdoors till the weather is very warm consistently. Please read here re
pond design:
http://wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/pddessize.htm
Bob Fenner>
Any suggestions much appreciated.
Wendy
Pond help, poor English 2/26/06
hello, i desperately need some help. I have had a mixture of gold fish and
koi in a pond outside i have had them for 2 years now, they have recently
started getting sores in them and on and around the sore they have white, slimy,
lumps almost like cotton on them i don't know what to do cause i have
no clue what it is. Please help
<Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/holedispd.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Koi sickness... env., lack of biol. filtr. 2/24/06
This is my first time posting but I read your site all the time and is very
helpful, great site! I'm having a problem with my Koi which is getting weak.
The Koi is 2.5 years old and about 10 inches long in a 75 gallon tank. Last week
he started to act funny by jumping out of the water, darting aimlessly at times.
But I didn't see any signs of disease, bacteria, fungus, or parasites on him. I
checked the water conditions and the ammonia was a little high .75 and so was
the nitrate .50.
<Likely nitrIte... both these measures are very toxic!>
I do 25% water changes, clean filters, and add new carbon weekly. Second time
toxins went above .25 after I got a biological filter.
<You obviously need more biological filtration. Koi of this size, in warm/er
water are copious producers of ammonia waste... needs ready processing>
I never use salt but added 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons this time to help him (mixed
in water bucket first). That night he looked a lot better and thought he was
just being a weird fish. But now he is acting listless at the bottom of the
tank, hiding, won't eat out of my fingers, looks scared, clamped fins, eyes
looks bulged, and nothing on his body to indicate infection when I looked
closely at him. Also I don't see heavy mucus build, he not losing color yet, but
his scales are a little beat-up possibility from banging himself up. I have one
4" shark, one small tiger barb, and 2 algae eaters in the tank and leave the Koi
alone (unless the Koi steals the algae disc.. lol). The Koi still eats, but
there is something wrong. My cold blooded friend needs your help. Can you help
me?
Thanks,
Wayne
<Only you can help here... you need more bio. filtration. Add an outside power
filter, quit feeding, don't gravel vacuum... till there is not detectable
ammonia or nitrite. Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: koi sickness,,, env., lack of biol. filtr. - 2/28/2006
Sorry to disturb you again. I was wrong. Ammonia and nitrites are fine...no
traces. But my NitrAte is out of control. Out of frustration, I changed out
80% of my water,
<Best to limit this to no more than 20-25% per any given day>
added Amquel, salt, cleaned my filtration/ and biological filter a little. But
despite my efforts my NitrAte remains at a level of 40?
(border line) and raising. My Koi now has something large (bacteria?) on his
tail with some steaks also, I added Maracyn-Two to try to control the Popeye
and possible tail rot. I understand Ammonia and Nitrite toxins but cant find
any beneficial information on NitrAte except declining fish health.
<Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwnitrates.htm
and the links above>
I hope I took the right steps using a gram negative antibiotic.
<... trouble... in the way of interrupting nitrification... Read, understand
what you're doing, then act...>
But still not sure what to do with my original problem considering I got mixed
up with my Nitrate and Nitrites. Could you lead me on the right steps. I know
its hard
because you cant see the fish. But I thank you for your time and patience.
Thanks,
Wayne
<Keep reading Wayne. Learn to/use the Google search tool on WWM, the indices,
links... Bob Fenner>
Koi with puffy white spots - 2/4/2006
Hello,
<Hi there>
I am trying to treat a koi in my pond. It has puffy white spots on its
tail fin. I treated the pond with antifungal remedy for a week. It contained
Pimenta Racemosa 2.5%.
<... another "tea" mix...>
The fish is eating and behaving normally for the winter period. The air
temperatures are in the high
50's during the day and into the 30's at night. The water temperature is cold.
<And hopefully not fluctuating much in the system>
The fish are not as active as the summer, which is normal for past seasons.
<Yes>
Can you recommend a treatment? Thanks, JT from Santa Rosa, California
<Mmm, not w/o knowing what this is, the root cause. Best not to "fool" with
ponds, their occupants during cold seasons (when water is consistently below 55
F.)... I would maybe... carefully add salt here... as proscribed on WWM...
otherwise I'd wait, hope for a cure in the coming warmer weather. Bob Fenner>
Re: Koi with puffy white spots 02/12/06
The salt worked wonders. Everything is back to being healthy. We forgot
that when you remove water to add back the salt. Thank you so much.
Joanne Thomas
<Ah, good to read of your success. Bob Fenner>
Is this Hemorrhagic Septicemia? Sick pondfish 1/31/06
Hi Robert,
I am a novice at koi keeping and am trying very hard to learn very quickly! My
fish have all been fine since the pond was established about 7 months ago
but I am now experiencing my first fatalities. It is actually my husband's pond
but he is away at the moment.
About a week ago one of my platinum koi was found floating dead on the top of
the pond - although I gave it a thorough examination I could see nothing
Wong with it.
<Frightening... and, as you know, will know, though all koi/Nishikigoi are the
same species, Ohgons are typically very hardy comparatively>
Then yesterday, one of my ghost koi was swimming a little strange - the only
way I can describe it is as 'wobbling' and swimming very slowly
near the top of the pond. However, when I went out to watch the fish for a
while it appeared to be swimming as normal. By today it was just floating on
the
top of the pond listing to one side and struggling to breathe.
I have isolated it and it seems to have red streaks in between some of it's
scales on just one side and all it's fins except it's pectoral fins are
tightly clamped. I will be surprised if it survives to be honest. Obviously, I
am now very concerned for the health of the rest of my fish.
They are all exhibiting normal behaviour at the present, but so was Pip, my
ghost, up until yesterday. Unfortunately, with the cold weather none of the fish
are moving about much at all which doesn't help matters. What does this sound
like to you and what is my best course of action?
<... I take it you have not added any new fish or other life during the cold
weather months just present? I suspect the root cause/issue here is
environmental... is this pond relatively stable, thermally? Chemically? No
automated make-up water system? The fish that are in most apparent stress,
were/are they amongst the larger/smaller koi? Do you have an electrician who
might come and investigate whether there might be an electrical leak present? Do
you have tests for water quality, particularly ammonia, nitrite... I take it you
are not feeding, but what had you been offering? How often? The protein count
please>
My pond is roughly 10ft x 4ft x 4ft. It is fully filtered (by what I would
call a
normal filter with a UV light in it) and it has a fountain. I have 2xplatinum
koi, 2xghost koi and 12 'goldfish' in it.
<Mmm, just a comment re the last. Best not to mix the two... however, if have
been in long-contact, not such an issue>
All the fish are approx 6" long.
I look forward to hearing from you again soon,
Best regards,
Linhez
<We will hopefully solve this mystery. Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Re: Is this Hemorrhagic Septicemia? 2/1/06
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the reply. In answer to your questions:
No, we have introduced no new fish since the beginning of September. I presume
the water is stable thermally - we have no heating system
installed. I presume the temperature is just following the air
temperature trend.
<Mmm, you might want to invest in a suitable thermometer... the shape, size of
your basin sounds okay, but if not near "structure", it might well vacillate too
much>
The platinum that died and the very poorly ghost were probably the largest ones,
but that is only by a matter of millitimetres. There is very little
difference in size between all the koi.
<I see>
I never thought of an electrical leak. The pump provides the power for both the
filter and the fountain. We do also have an set of 3 underwater lights.
Should I switch them off?
<Yes... I would. Such lighting in biological systems is a bit "tricky" period...
Bothers the life. I do hope/trust that all of these (the pump, lighting) are
wired through a GFI protected circuit>
I was feeding them twice every day, then slowly decreased as the temperature
dropped. The food we use is Tetra Pond Floating Koi Sticks, with protein
content of 31%, oil 5%, Fibre 2% ash 7% and Moisture 7%.
<This is a very good food. Please see WWM re a standard/rule of thumb re feeding
and temperature... below 55 F. none... 55-65, once per day...>
I have watched the rest a lot today, and they are all deep in the water as it
is a bitterly cold day but are showing no signs of distress and their fins
don't look clamped. I cannot get water test kits until tomorrow. Which ones?
Ammonia and pH, I presume.
<These are the most important... next would be nitrate (as a measure of when,
how much water to change mostly)...>
What about nitrite/nitrates? If it is water quality, why are only some fish
affected?
<Individual variation likely>
As for mixing the fish - this is the first problems we have had since the pond
was established in June. They have all seemed ok up until now - should I
separate them?
Look forward to your reply.
Regards,
Linhez
<I would not separate anything, or disturb the system period till the water
warms substantially. What "ping-ponging" of vectors occur twixt these
minnows/cyprinids is a post-issue at this point. Bob Fenner>
Dropsical Koi
I've got an 18'' Israeli Bekko whose got Dropsy, she's had this since the
summer, but due to my pond being heated I believe this is what has kept her
alive, and happy, sadly it look's a lot worse, the scales are not only lifted
but red too. She's still feeding, and seems happy, all other koi are fine. Can
I
just leave her in peace? I don't want to upset her by messing as she's never
liked being messed with.
Yours
Jaime Chrisfield
<I would move this fish to another "large-enough" container to ease treatment,
and add a level teaspoon per ten gallons of Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)...
monitor water quality daily, dilute ammonia by water changes... This might just
"do the trick" by itself. Are the scales at right angles to the body? Perhaps
this is something other than bacterial in origin... egg-blockage... Bob Fenner>
Pond goldfish 11/20/05
I have a goldfish in my small pond. It is around 4 years old. It's just the
common goldfish that you see at Wal-Mart. I started with a dozen all about 1 - 2 inches long. Only this one survived. It is now about 6" long. A few
months ago it started to get a swollen place on it's side. My friend who raises
Koi told me to salt the water. I did, no change. I tried not feeding for a couple of days still no change. Now it is so big that it can't touch it's
mouth to the bottom or come to the surface for a sniff. It seems to be eating but
I am sure it is not happy or comfortable. I am assuming it is some type of
tumor.
<Yes, likely so... cause?>
It's scales are stretched and it looks like it could pop any minute. My question is...how do you euthanize a fish??
Sincerely,
Lynda in Florida
<Place in a small bag of water, place this in turn in the freezer... alternatively liquid cloves (a few drops) can be added to a bit of water... Bob Fenner>
<<Also known as "clove oil", easily found at a natural foods
market. Marina>>
Re: Goldfish Euthanasia 11/21/05
Dear Bob,
Thank you for your kind reply. Yesterday after writing to the "crew" I took a longer browse thru your website and found the info on what to do. So I
carefully put my lovely goldfish into a pail of water that was large enough to let him be comfortable and quickly iced him down. He didn't struggle, just
seemed to go to sleep.
<Yes>
I don't think it took more than a minute before he had quit breathing. I placed the pail into the deep freeze just to make sure then
later that day we buried him in the garden. He now has a nice stone over his head. We are moving from FL to MO and I hope to have a pond there too.
Thanks again for your kindness and your great website.
Sincerely,
Lynda in Florida
<Thank you for your kind follow-up. Life to you my friend. Bob Fenner>
Pond goldfish sinking, blowing bubbles, gulping air 10/31/05
Greetings,
Our large, 3-4 yr. old goldfish is resting on the bottom, top fin a bit clamped, releases bubbles, and every few minutes darts to the surface, pops
out of the water and gulps air, returns to the same spot at bottom of pond.
All other fish are active and milling about as normal. Looked through the WWM website but couldn't find a similar description.
I have an 11' x 16' pond (Aquascapes system). 25 goldfish from 1 ft long to 3".
Just did the fall clean-out as temperatures are dropping.
<Ahh...>
Would appreciate any advice. I do have an indoor tank that the Plecos overwinter in.
Thanks so much,
Holly
<Very likely "simple stress" from the clean-out, time of year... and also very likely to recover of its own accord. Bob Fenner>
Bloaty Goldfish 10/20/05
Hi there,
<Hello.>
we have a garden pond which is 2000 liters, 8ft by 6ft and about 24 inches deep.
We have 7 fish in total, mostly goldfish, one of our Comets has put on an awful
lot of weight (nearly doubled in size) she is only about 6 inches long but is
absolutely huge around the stomach area. <Sounds like she’s bloaty.>She has been
this way for about 4 weeks now. If you could please give us some indication as
to what's going on it would be much appreciated. <Read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshmalnut.htm .>
Thank you.
<Anytime Adam J.>
Outside pond fish... possible Lernaeid 10/21/05
Hi, this is our first time on your web-site, and we have a question.
We have an outdoor fish pond with 4th generation goldfish!
Today I noticed something on one of the fish.
It is gold in color, protruding ( from under his skin)? or sticking out of
his skin, I can't really tell. It looks like a thick wire sticking out.
He doesn't look or act different, eating as normal. I didn't see anything
like this on the other five fish.
Do you think this is some sort of parasite?
<Mmm, possibly... Lernaea... "Anchorworm"...>
What would you suggest we do?
<Mmm... place this/these terms on the WWM, general search engines... read... If
this is the cause/parasite, removing the adults by tweezing, inspecting all
fishes, using a organophosphate to kill intermediates is suggested. Bob Fenner>
Thanks
Donna
Bloated pond goldfish
10/7/05
hello, I wonder if you can help?
<Maybe. Capitalize the beginning of sentences>
in the past two weeks our gold fish has developed a swollen belly. all the other fish (10) are fine. the fish is about eight years old and it has recently being put into a larger pond. any clues?
thank you
J H
<Could be egg-bound, some dropsical condition... I would move this fish into more controlled circumstances (like a large-enough aquarium), treat it with Epsom Salt, feed other than dried foods... this/these are covered in articles, files on WWM. Bob Fenner>
Koi with large open stomach 10/3/05
I have a 6 year old koi that is over a foot long, kept in a 8x10x6 pond.
There are several smaller koi and goldfish is the pond too. The large koi has
had babies twice this year already, so when her stomach began to swell about two
weeks ago we thought see was pregnant again, but her belly has never been
this large before. After about a week she moved to a different area of the pond
and would sit on the bottom all day, away from the other fish. We thought she
was doing this just to rest or was ready to lay the eggs there. But after a
couple of days she stopped moving away when we approached the edge of the pond.
I
wanted to make sure she could still swim so I put a net in there so she would
move, and she did. I went to check on her today and noticed some tissue
hanging form her belly.
<Yikes, not good>
I was afraid she would make the other fish sick too, and
they were all avoiding her. She I caught her in a net, she didn't put up much of
a fight. When I got her in the net I noticed a large 2 to 3 inch hole in her
stomach. Her innards are not coming out and I don't see any blood, or other
problems with her. I have her in a separate container for now. She is still
alive, but I'm not sure she will be much longer!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP SOON!!!!!!!
<Could be a few things... an injury from a predator, resultant from a jump... or
Ana Aki... Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/holedispd.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: Koi with large open stomach 10/4/05
I reviewed that site before emailing you. The wound didn't look anything
like
that. It was an opening on the bottom of her belly. It almost seems like she
had a disease inside her that caused her stomach to burst open. Her scales
were not missing, there wasn't any redness or signs of attack (nothing was tore
up or missing that might suggest she was bitten by another animal!) but I could
see all of her intestines. About two hours after I sent the first email, she
died. Now my primary concern is for the other fish in the pond, and doing
preventive maintenance so they don't get sick. Any other idea's on what this
could
be from?
<... my "guesses" as to what this might be stand... non-emarginated
sores/openings are often signs of furunculosis (a condition... generally
associated with Aeromonad bacteria)... Can be very catching, or not. Please send
a pic if you can, take the moribund specimen to a veterinarian, college
specializing in fish pathology. Bob Fenner>
White fungus on Koi 10/3/05
Hi
I have just started up a pond in the garden, 1000 gals 3' 8" deep with a
waterfall fed by an Oase Aquamax 8000 pump through an Oasis 24000 green2clean
UVC/bio filter. I have been given 7 fish (all from one pond) including 3 Koi
of around 18" long.
<Too large for this size system>
I have noticed that one of the large Koi has about 3 small
semi transparent white patches that are slightly proud of its scales. It
looks like some kind of fungus but I am not sure. I have also noticed that a
few of the larger fish are 'flashing' and appear to rub themselves against the
sides of the pond.
<Likely "just" environmental... getting used to a new system that is not quite
aged "enough">
I noticed one of the fish do this about 5 times
yesterday morning. At other times they are quite stationary. They are all
feeding
OK at the moment on Koi staple pellets and wheat germ sticks.
I have tested the PH which is at about 8.5 (similar to the pond they came
from). Ammonia, Nitrites and nitrates are all very low.
<Ammonia, nitrite need to be zero, zip>
Any advice?
Thanks
Chris (Newport S. Wales)
<Read through our Pond Subweb on WWM. Bob Fenner>
Swollen or loose scale in koi's side 9/21/05
Hi Crew,
<Sybil>
I have looked over the koi FAQs and searched in the query but was still unable
to distinguish what the koi actually has.
I just relocated and transported the koi. during the move, i lost one 11" koi
carp from what looked like internal bleeding. I also lost my algae eater (the
species that sucks on the glass, 7").
I recently bought 2 1" algae eaters of the same species and introduced it to the
tank.
Here comes the main problem.
I have 5 koi remaining in the 45 gallon tank, one 12", three 6" and one 5" on
top of the two new algae eaters.
<Too much fish for this volume...>
1. The 12" koi has been acting funny the past 2-3 weeks by idling at the bottom
of the tank and stop breathing for minutes at a time and isn't as active as it
was previously. I thought it was in shock from the move and needed time to get
used to its surroundings. Could there be any other factors that might be
causing this?
<Mainly having to do with being crowded, moved, all-new water... yes>
I don't see any signs of parasites, though my koi's' fns aren't always fully
extended/erect.
<Shouldn't be...>
2. I found that one of the bigger the scales were raised and the flesh
underneath it was red.
<A bad sign... of environmental stress>
It would be great if you could tell me what it is exactly and how i can treat
it. The main concern I have is whether that scale would fall off and lead to an
infection.
pictures included
1. the biggest fin in the middle is the one that is protruding.
2. side view of how far it is protruding from the body. (it was difficult to
focus)
Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to your response.
Sybil, CA
<Is this system cycled? What sort of filtration, circulation, aeration are you
providing? What of water quality? Please read over WWM re these issues... keep
good amounts of pre-prepared water to make large water changes on hand... and I
would administer "aquarium salt" here as a general remedy. From your
description, photos, it is obvious your koi are suffering from a poor, changing
environment... more space is needed, likely adjuncts to biological filtration,
aeration. You need to identify and solve the root (environmental) causes here...
Now! Bob Fenner>
|
|
.jpg) |
Koi in trouble 9/20/05
Good morning. We have an 1800 gal tank with 5 koi, 3 Japanese and 2
domestic, that has been running fine for the last 5 years. This morning, I
notice on of the Japanese Koi (Tancho) on the bottom, laying on its side,
still breathing. I removed the fish, and put it in a holding container for
further examination, and discovered it had a distended belly, including the
visible signs of some blood vessels very visible, and rather lethargic.
<Not good>
Water check indicated ph6.8, alkalinity 80, hardness 50, nitrite .05,
nitrate .05
It appears the fish has a blockage in the urinary tract?
<Possibly the alimentary tract...>
Any ideas?
Scotty MacDonough
<Could be "gut blockage" or even egg-bound... I would treat the one fish, or
even the whole system with Epsom Salt... and look into nutritional
possibilities... Am hopeful you don't just feed dried/pelleted food/s. Both of
these issues are addressed in archives on WWM. Bob Fenner>
Re: Koi in trouble 9/21/05
Thank you for the suggestion. I was able to contact the supplier later in
the morning, and after seeing the photographs, determined it had a tumor.
The fish died within a hour of discovery.
Scotty
<Thank you for this follow-up... I would still necropsy this specimen. Bob
Fenner>
My koi are dying - please help 8/30/05
Hi Fenner,
<Madeline>
Last month my 18" 3 year old female tricolored had what seemed like a
seizure. She was spinning in the pond and all the fish were bumping up
against her. She swam toward the edges and I thought she was trying to
spawn.
<The other koi might have been trying to "help" the sanke>
I put my hands in the water and she swam into them. I noticed that
the top of her head was badly bruised as were the sides and bottom of her.
<Likely from bumping into things>
I put her in a quick salt dip and then let her swim in and out of my hands
while in the pond until she felt better. (They all take turns laying on my
hands if I put my hands in the water, I am very careful not to touch them
too much to avoid sandpapering their skin.)
<You are wise here>
She seemed OK for a week but then died. Last week my 21" 4 year old female
yellow Ohgon did the exact same thing but
there weren't any fish near her and when she swam into my hands she didn't have
a single bruise.
<Frightening>
She did look like she had eggs. Yesterday morning she seemed perfectly fine but
when I came home in the evening she too was
dead and was badly bruised - same exact type of bruises.
<!>
I am absolutely heart broken with these losses and fear that my other fish
will also pass. Also I am concerned because I now have only 1 female, 23"
and the rest are male. They have spawned without a single problem for
years. Have you ever heard of this type of problem? Can you please suggest
anything that I can do. What am I doing wrong?
<I suspect poisoning or something bacterial in origin here... a version of "ana
aki"...>
Here are my pond specifics: 3,500 gallon pond average depth 5' that was
built by a pond company. The filtration is excellent and the waterfall is
always on. I use Algaefix,
<Please see the MSDS re this here:
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&id=1020010
I would suspend its use>
Kent Pro Clear, MicrobeLift and Dechlor per
directions and as needed. I have a master test kit and the water results
are always perfect even the salt level. Up until a month ago in all my
8years ponding I never had a sick fish. I give away the fry to keep the
population down. They were always very healthy and the smaller ones only
came up 'missing' due to the Herons and Egrets close by. Two months ago my
23" metallic was dragged out of the pond by a Heron.
<Bold>
It bruised the body of the metallic and then ate part of the dorsal fin and
tail. I stepped
outside as my Miniature Pinschers chased the bird away. I was able to save
the metallic and he is now doing fine but is still a little washed out. The
remaining fish move about with energy and look good. I now have 5 Koi
average length 20"-25" and 4 small average length 6"-8".
Thank you in advance for your help,
Madeline
PS If you feel like responding will I know when you post or do you respond
via email as well. I really could use your help.
<We respond directly to all, post most all. Please read here re furunculosis:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/holedispd.htm
Acute cases often manifest themselves as your fish's symptoms... I would have
the dead fish necropsied (see your veterinarian re who in the area has
expertise), cultured for Aeromonas... Adding salt may well be efficacious in
this circumstance. Bob Fenner>
Leaking pond - am I hurting my fish refilling so often? 8/28/05
Hi,
<Hello there>
We've cleaned out and restocked a pond in our new house. It's approx. 10feet
by 5feet, and 3feet deep. It has a top level which waterfalls down to the
larger lower level. We've put in a pump for the waterfall and a filter, loads of
plants and have 2 happy little goldfish.
Only problem is we have a slow leak in the liner somewhere as the outer wall
(stone and mortar) is constantly wet and we're losing 3 - 4 inches a week.
<Mmm... perhaps capillatory in nature... hard to fix...>
We've tried emptying the pond and found a tiny hole, which we repaired with a
cycle repair kit on the advice of our local water centre. But either that
didn't work or there's more holes!
<Or just a "damp" area twixt the liner and up...>
Anyway, time is short at the mo due to work, so we've just been refilling every
few days and as there's no time to reline it this year, that's our only option
- but is it harming my fish?????
<Mmm, not likely... in fact, replacing 3-4 inches per week of depth in a volume
of this size is likely very helpful>
Very quick 2nd question, sorry - one of my goldfish seems to chase the other
smaller one a lot.
<Happens>
At first I thought they were playing, but today I noticed
light patches on the rear sides of the one that's being chased, where the
nose of the chaser rubs his skin. Is this normal behaviour, are they fighting,
playing or even mating???
<Mostly the latter, the middle as practice... I would add a few more goldfish to
diffuse the aggression here>
Thanks, Allison Franklin (UK novice pond keeper)
<Welcome, Bob Fenner, old-timer>
Koi very heavy 8/27/05
I have a Koi that looks like a pregnant horse. Scales do not stick out
like in dropsy. Swims with the other fish, is active and eats. I'm
wondering if it can't spawn - is that possible? Any suggestions on what
to do.
<May be dropsical... or egg-bound... You can try adding Epsom Salt to a
small-enough container at the dose of about a level teaspoon per ten gallons,
and/or drop some liver oil into the fish's mouth... Bob Fenner>
Re: Koi very heavy 8/30/05
Thanks for the quick reply. I have a total of 6 koi & 1 comet in a 750
gallon outdoor pond in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Is it okay to
leave the "fat" koi in the pond and add the Epsom salt to the pond or
should I put the "fat" koi in a smaller kiddie pool and add the salt to
that?
<Can be treated in either place... better in a smaller, separate tank... Do keep
it covered, aerated... monitor ammonia... Bob Fenner>
Goldfish turning white 8/21/05
Hello,
I have 7 goldfish not sure what kind they are. The pet store called them feeder
fish, they were about a inch long, now they are about 4 to 6 inches long.
<Otherwise known as "comets"... a variety developed in the west>
They live in a 100 gallon plastic shape pond in my front yard. I have had
goldfish for about 10 yrs now and never had this problem. These 7 goldfish I
have had for about a year now. I had one that was losing his color. He started
turning white in spots
<In spots... likely a parasitic disease... were the spots very small? The fish
lethargic, hanging at the surface?>
until he was totally white. He died after about 2 weeks. Now I have two other
goldfish getting the white spots on them now. It looks like, its just losing its
color, it does not look like it has something attach to the skin. I have read
about Ich, these do not look like little salt spots on them.
<Oh...>
They do not scratch up against anything in the pond. These spots are on there
bodies and not there fins. They do not look like any of the pictures I have seen
of Ich. I have tested the water, the nitrites is in the stress level 3.0,
<... this is past the deadly level... 1.0 ppm at high pH is very toxic>
and I am now treating the water for that, but everything else is ok. I do not
know what else to do. Can you help me or have you heard of this problem.
Betty
<Fix your water quality... do you have a purposeful biological filter? Aeration?
A regular water change maintenance schedule? These are covered on WWM:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/Pond%20Sub%20Web.htm
I strongly suspect the root cause/s of your troubles are environmental... Bob
Fenner>
Re: Goldfish turning white 8/22/05
Thanks Bob,
Yes I do have bio filter and a Aeration pump. No, the fish is not lethargic,
or hanging at the surface.
I will do a water change and keep a closer eye on the levels.
Thank you for all of your help.
Betty
<Ahh, I see... I do hope the water change/s solve the issue/s here. Your root
trouble/s may be seasonal, from crowding, elevated temperature... Bob Fenner>
Re: Pond in serious trouble 8/28/05
Thank you for the information. I have pulled all of my plants out of the
pond and added 20 pounds of rock salt. I still am having trouble with the
water flow. But I feel this is a pump issue and have purchased a new pump to
install in the morning. I have noticed that the fish I have left seemed to
have
perked up a little. I really hope that this works. Thanks so much for all
of your advise.
Sissy
<Very welcome. Bob Fenner>
Koi unusual habits 8/12/05
Dear Bob Fenner,
<Derek, Jenny>
We live in the South of England UK and have a garden pond of approx 1,000
gallons and 4 feet deep. We have 7 Koi (4 being about 15" long). We also
have 16 other fish being a mixture of goldfish and Shubunkins and babies we
have reared.
<A bit crowded...>
We have a very good filter system and water pump in the pond and part change
the water and clean the filter regularly. The water is clear and the fish
are all healthy and we have not lost any for 4 years.
However, there is a water outlet pipe which runs from the filter and then
the water cascades into the pond quite strongly. My husband and I are
worried because we have recently noticed the 3 large yellow Ogon Koi have
taken to sitting under the pipe and letting the water hit them on their head
(in fact they almost have their head out of the water to do this and stay
there in this position for some considerable time. It may sound odd, but
they are also opening their mouths as if they are trying to drink the water!
<Telling>
At first we thought it was only one Koi doing this, but have found the
other 2 Ogons doing the same thing yesterday and today. They seem to do it
after about 19.00 hours. Also all the other fish are around them at the
time very closely compacted and almost nudging each other gently. There is
no animosity or bullying. In the 5 years we have had our fish we have never
noticed this behaviour before and we spend a lot of time caring for them and
watching their habits. We are now worried. Is this natural behaviour?
<Is... for an oxygen lacking environment... you have provided the significant
clues... the small size, surface area of your pond, the fact that the Ohgons
("sun-colored fish") are affected most, and the time frame of the commencement
of this behavior... What is happening very likely is that with the sun going
down, cessation of photosynthesis, there is a rapid loss of dissolved oxygen
concentration... by virtue of their breed (all koi, like domestic dogs, are of
the same species), the Ohgons suffer most... and therefore...>
This is not a joke email by the way!. Many thanks for your help in advance.
We have found your website most helpful.
Jenny and Derek
<The best thing to do... either reduce the bioload here, increase the pond
size... and/or add mechanical aeration (bubblers). Bob Fenner>
Re: Koi unusual habits 8/15/05
Dear Crew
<Derek>
Many thanks for your speedy reply received the following morning after your
email.
I immediately tested the water in the pond and it was reading dangerous
on nearly all tests.
<Yikes! Glad you were quick to action>
I guess you probably saved the lives of all our fish, as I immediately
went to the Water Gardens Fish Farm nearby and bought the bubble making
machine for oxygen, pond salt, BioStart, Water Cress and updated our water
testing kit.
<Great!>
My husband immediately started a series of partial water changes over the
last few days and cleaned out the filter again.
<Very good>
It didn't enter our minds that the oxygen level was low as the pond and
fish have been healthy for 4 or more years.
<Happens... very commonly>
Many thanks once again. We now have happy fish swimming around normally.
Your Website is an inspiration!
Regards Derek & Jenny, England UK
<Ahh, my twin wishes... that WWM serve as a source of information... and
inspiration! Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Koi Fish Disease...Can you help! 8/9/05
Hi just writing you an e-mail to see if you can help me with something. My
dads friend keeps koi as we do. But he's having trouble with his fish at the
moment its not like a normal disease though.. we have never seen anything like
it
before. About seven days ago he noticed one of his fish was swimming a bit
weird. but thought he must have knocked himself on something in the pond...the
following day the fish was on his back...swimming into the side....acting like
a torpedo when it was swimming and lying on its side on the bottom of the
pond....he got a bit worried and took a water sample out to the local garden
centre to get tested it came back negative...everything seemed to be in order.
<Everything that was tested for...>
The following day the fish died.... this keeps repeating through all his fish
the same pattern at this moment in time we have four of his fish separated in
one of our tanks to stop the his other koi from catching whatever it is and
to monitor and hopefully treat them.....it has baffled us because we have
never seen anything like it...its like they've had a stroke of some
sort...... Could you fill us in on what it could be or any possible remedies or
websites for
information....you co operation would be appreciated because its such a
shame what is happening to them.
Many Thanks
Michael Orchard
<Have your father's friend contact me please... This sounds like one of two
probable possibilities (will be able to tell more...), either an anomaly with
cycling in this system ("ammonia poisoning") or a trace pesticide residue that
has gotten, is getting into the system. Bob Fenner>
Fungus on koi... 8/6/05
Hello. I have three koi with an off-white fungus (I think, after trying to
do some research on what it could be.)
<Actual fungal infections are exceedingly rare... almost all infectious pond
disease is directly related to environmental cause/s>
They do not show any other symptoms. I just completed seven days of treatment
with PimaFix in my 1700 gallon pond.
<Worthless "fixes">
It looks like it may have improved slightly, but the fungus is still there...
on their faces, gill area and fins. Should I repeat another week of PimaFix or
try something else? Thanks for your help!
<Have someone come by and look at your system, fish... Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/pdfshdisart.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
New pond, new koi, new problem 7/31/05
I recently enlarged my koi pond to about 1500 gallons, and bought 2 new koi
for it. Both koi are 3.5-4 inches. I always inspect all of my fish before I
add them to either my pond or my aquarium,
<and quarantine them?>
and did not see ANY problems at all with them. Both koi have been in the pond
for 4 days now, and I have been inspecting them each day to see if any problems
were emerging. Today I noticed that one of the new koi had a bit of a
stringy/slimy substance around its gill on one side. I have never had any of my
fish get any sort of fungal infection, I'm not sure how to tell if that is the
problem.
<Mmm, not likely... probably simple body slime... from the stress of movement,
netting...>
No other fish in the pond have any problems, and are all appear to be very
healthy (2 13" koi, 2 8" shubunkin), so I removed the small koi until I find out
what the problem is. I was wondering if you had any idea what the problem could
be, or if it is something I should be worried about the rest of my fish getting.
Please note: 2 days before I added the new koi, I dosed the water with salt,
since it was a new pond and would be getting new fish.
Any help is greatly appreciated
<Oh, the salt itself might bring on this excess mucus. I would move the fish
back into the main system... but do consider using the tank to quarantine all
future livestock. You can read re such procedures on WWM. Bob Fenner>
Lee Baker
New pond... goldfish ailment? 7/30/05
Hello again.
I have another problem. One of my fishes was floating but not dead this
morning. I have isolated it, in a bucket, and on examination it seems to
have a hard black protuberance from its anus. This protuberance is about
10mm long, and the surrounding area of flesh seems very raw, white with red
edges. The fish will swim, but when it stops it tends to float to the
surface, always on the same side. I am very worried and would like some
advise on how to treat this, and whether all the fishes should be treated.
Your rapid response would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Wendy
<... impossible to tell you what is going on from the data presented... I would
(of course) check your water chemistry, change about a quarter of the water,
keep a close eye on your other fish/es... and read... re their care, feeding on
WWM. Bob Fenner>
Re: New pond 7/31/05
Hello again.
<Morning>
I have been reading up on your pages and think that I have identified the
problem as Camallanus worms.
<Mmm, possible>
Anyway, I am in the UK and can not find any
flake fish food with Piperazine. Do you think my diagnosis is correct, and
can you advise me of any online store that I can order from.
<I would look for Praziquantel instead, or products with this in it>
My isolated fish does not look as if he will make it, any suggestions on
immediate first aid would be greatly appreciated.
<... a level teaspoon of Epsom Salt per ten gallons of system volume>
Other fish are still in
the pond, and all appear lively and healthy so far, yet I do realize that
all should be treated.
Your help would be much appreciated.
Wendy
<Bob Fenner>
Hi again.
The world wide web informs me that Praziquantel is not available to the UK.
WHY???
Should I give my vet a ring in the morning!!?
AAAAAGH! with frustration...........
Wendy
<Perhaps. Please read... on WWM re vermifuges, -cides. RMF>
Re: New pond 8/1/05
Thanks for your quick replies.
My sick fish died overnight.
I will search online for food containing Praziquantel as you suggest. Any
recommendations of where to purchase would be much appreciated.
<Try online suppliers of pond goods>
Seems
medicated fish food is not available in pet shops around where I live, I
spent much of yesterday visiting stores, only to be met with blank looks and
unhelpfulness by shop staff. A fish encyclopedia I have gives doses for
treatment with Panacur wormer for horses, powdered form to be dissolved in
the pond. I am considering contacting a veterinarian or farm store if I
cannot find medicated food. Do you think this is wise?
<Mmm, if you're going to this ends... I would take the one dead fish with you
and have it examined... necropsied, to determine if worms are actually
involved...>
What happens to
eggs of Camallanus when the fish are treated via food - wouldn't they be
alive and well in the bottom of the pond, ready to infest when ingested by
another fish?
<Possibly, yes>
And would the eggs be killed if treated with dissolved
Panacur?
<I don't know... and am unfortunately away from printed reference>
I will splash out on a pond testing kit, and also attend to changing some of
the pond water as suggested.
There are several newts living in the weed in my pond, and I have seen frogs
and toads in it from time to time. Can these wild creatures transmit
disease to the fish?
<A possibility, yes, though, not common.>
I have 6 small goldfish left at present BTW. Also,
could any "pond treatment" adversely affect the wildlife- I am sure the
newts eat the fishes food.
<Some could>
Many thanks for your extremely helpful pages.
Wendy
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Koi with a Bump in the Night 7/18/05
Hello, You have helped us tremendously in the past and we thank you. So
here goes. 5 fish in a 200 gallon indoor tank. One Rena X3 bio filter
(largest) one Fluval 404 bio filter (largest). Water tests zero for Ammonia and
Nitrites, Nitrates appear high and PH is about 8+. 1/3 water vacuumed off to
remove all debris on bottom of tank once every 7 days (water added back in at
EXACT temperature of tank and is country, well water that tests normal) and
filters gently flushed every 14 days at same time water is vacuumed off. The
product Cycle added with each water change. New carbon every 3rd cleaning or 6
weeks. Approx. 1/3 aquarium salt of recommended dosage. All winter and spring,
tank temperature was approx. 68 degrees F. Now this Hot Summer, temperature is
pretty stable at 76 degrees F.
Two small Comet Goldfish (about 3 inches), 0ne 6+ month old Koi (about 6
inches) one 16 month old Koi (about -12 inches) and one 17 month old Koi
(measured at 13 inches by floating plastic ruler on water and getting him to
line up with it as he is a pet and easy to handle). Koi are growing at an
incredible rate, appear very healthy, very good color, very tame, not stressed,
eat well and always hungry, etc.
Two weeks ago, I noticed on the biggest one and our favorite Koi: On the
left side, approx. mid of his body (both from top to bottom and from head to
tail) a raised scale. Thinking he must have brushed to hard against one of the
4 large rocks positioned down the center of the tank. Then 5 days ago, he had a
very thick, snow white ribbon sticking straight out of the damaged scale. In 3
days time it was more 1/3+ of an inch long and very thick. NOTE: size
description is pretty accurate. By thick, think larger than a pencil lead by 2+
times.
I searched numerous pictures on the web and it looked to thick to be an
"Anchor" worm and "Did Not" match the various pictures? It also "Does Not"
match a "Fluke" picture, especially of attachment to fishes body?
On advice from local Fish Store, bought "Melafix" and added according to
label directions last night. While doing so, saw the snow white, thick spike
was gone. Went to add it again today as says to do so for 7 days and noticed a
tiny bump of white showing again on damaged scale.
Is this a worm that does not match what I can find on Internet or could it
possibly be some kind of "Purulent Discharge" (called Pus on us humans and
animals)???
< Possible.>
Last Koi was added 3.5 months ago after being kept in a separate tank for 14
days. Was supposed to be parasite free when I bought him???
< Seriously doubt there is such a thing.>
Once again, pure white and thick coming straight out from tip of slightly lifted
and/or damaged scale on the fishes side. Fell off but appears some is notable
today AGAIN!!! That scale appears to be very reddened in color (he is a "Kin
Matsuba" so kind of yellow/orange with the Pine Cone black edged scales on the
top and coming part way down the sides) so the reddened scale/pure white thing
is very easy to see as below the Pine Cone effect if that maybe helps you in
location?
We do not have a Quarantine Hospital tank for a fish his size. Plus he/she
is the dominant fish and we doubt even if we got a larger hospital tank and got
it (water) properly conditioned that he/she would be happy alone??? Sorry, so
entire tank of 5 fish are being treated.
Please help as this is our Pet and means a lot to us. I can pet his head
and he will come up and kiss me on the nose when I bend far enough over the tank
so my nose is only about an inch from the water. He knows his name too. He
actually does not come until you sweet talk him using his name. Don't use his
name and he does not come up to respond. Crazy but true!!! Thank you again for
now and all your help in the past. Trixie
< The summer temps have elevated the water temp in your tank and have stressed
you cool loving koi. If you have a worm type parasite then treat the tank with
fluke-tabs. It sounds like an external bacterial infection that may have started
with a bump or scrape. Treat with Nitrofurazone, increase the aeration and watch
for ammonia spikes because antibiotics may affect the good bacteria that break
down fish waste.-Chuck>
Koi dying with no physical signs 6/29/05
Hi
<Hello there>
I have been searching your site for possible causes for the death of my fish. I
have lost one a day for the last seven days. The pond is new (about 6500
litres). I left the pond for a couple of weeks before putting the fish (15 small
koi up to 7") into it. The filter and fountain were running for the entire
period since the pond was filled.
I had read quite a few of your responses to other owners with similar problems
(fish dying with no outward signs). The fish that have died became loaners, not
feeding and began swimming at a very shallow depth and would die within 24 to 48
hours of showing these symptoms. Whilst reading one of your replies about
possible deaths caused by poisoning by weed killers/pesticides etc.
<Or the system just not being cycled... the root cause here is almost assuredly
environmental>
it suddenly dawned on me that my pond design may actually be poisoning my fish.
The pond is part dug and part raised and lined (not a problem). However the top
edge of the pond was finished with 6" wide decking timbers. I realized, whilst
reading your replies, they were made from tanalised timber (for those who may
make the same mistake as me but are unaware of what tanalised timbers are, they
are timbers treated with cyanide). I have made a presumption that when it is
raining the cyanide is possibly getting into the water (not 100% but I think it
is a strong possibility). Of course I immediately went out and took these
timbers off my pond and will drain it first thing in the morning.
<Yikes!>
Could you please let me know your views on this? If you think I am right then I
hope this information may help others who have made (or might make) a similar
oversight to mine!!
Ps. Great site!!!
Regards
Stephen Robbins
<You are correct in that treated lumber can be real trouble... A sample of the
water might be taken to a quality assurance or college laboratory for
analysis... Perhaps the timber can be sealed with something making it impervious
to water... like polyurethane... Or it can be moved, the pond modified such that
water that does come in contact does not wash into the basin. I wish you well.
Bob Fenner>
Koi flipping over 6/29/05
I read an entry in your koi diseases section from a person called
Lorenzo (page 57) and it sounds like a problem my fish starting having
yesterday. Three days ago my husband changed the water in our pond and
took out about half of the rocks that were ornamentally placed around
it. (he removed the rocks because they had thick algae on them). Ever
since then, the fish have been racing around the pond, sometimes chasing
each other and flipping and jumping. I am very concerned and would like
to know if this sounds like a disease problem or an environmental
problem?
Very worried!
Denise
<Mmm, could be that the water change, loss of cover (the rocks) is
over-stressing your fish, but much more likely the temperature and water quality
change has triggered a reproductive frenzy here. I'd keep your eyes on your
aquatic charges for evidence here, and possibly the need to separate, maybe
treat them for scratches from being too rambunctious. Bob Fenner>
Koi pregnancy
Hi Robert,
<Joyce>
We have a 9 x12, 4 deep pond in our backyard for a few years. The koi are about 18 long. Recently, one of the
koi' belly is bulging out
noticeably, I suspect it might be pregnant.
<Maybe...>
The temp has been ranging 25-30 Celsius, with night low of 14 Celsius. How
long will it take for the eggs to be matured and be spawned?
<Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/pdfshbreeding.htm
and the linked files above>
Please advise so I can start watching out for eggs and babies. I want to
take good care of them so they won't be eaten by others before they get a
chance to grow. Oh yeah, we also have many huge pond fish, fan-tailed
goldfish too, I hope they will leave the eggs alone if there's going to be
any.
Thanks for your advise in advance.
<Study my friend. Bob Fenner>
Koi problem
dear Sir,
I am at present looking after my sister-in-laws koi. One of them seems to
be staying on the bottom most of the time. It also keeps going over onto
its side but rights itself.
I would appreciate any advice you can give me.
Kind regards.
Kevin Healy.
<It may be that this fish has swallowed something (like a bug), or has somehow
damaged itself. Do keep an eye on it for signs of missing scales, bruising...
Otherwise, I would not remove it or treat the system in any way at this point.
Much more potential damage from "trying to do something" at this juncture. Bob
Fenner>
Re: Koi problem
Many thanks for getting back to me Bob, I have built a pond in my own
garden and intend to keep Koi. Your site is very helpful to those of us
that know very little about this subject.
<Good>
It is nice to know that if I
have a problem I can e-mail you and get a quick response. I note that
you say keep an eye open for missing scales. I have seen about 8 scales
floating on the pond but not sure which fish they have come from.
<Ah ha! Do look about for further signs of a "visitor"... I now suspect further
that your one fish is in a funk due to a predator... there is an article and
FAQs file posted on WWM re these, and their prevention.>
I suppose it is very likely that they have come from this fish.
Once again, many thanks for your help.
Regards.
Kevin
<Good luck, life to you Kevin. Bob Fenner>
Koi health... Mind-reading?
11 Koi are kept in a normal size pond but at the moment they are lifeless
and lying on there sides at the bottom of the pond. We have had the Koi for 7
years and this is the first year this has occurred.
<What? I do hope you have tested your water for physical, chemical properties...
that you have no electrical "leak" in this system, that you have instituted
large water changes, moved them... Bob Fenner>
Pond fish - pregnant or diseased?
Dear Wet Web Media & Crew,
I have a question regarding one fish in my pond. Since either Saturday (May
28th) or Sunday I noticed a fish swimming upside down right next to a massive
plant in the center of our pond. It's been 5 days and she's still upside down
just moving her tail back & forth.
<Not good>
Her abdomen looks bloated like a pregnant woman ready for delivery. Now... is
the fish pregnant or does it have that swim bladder disease?
<More likely either a type of gut blockage or egg-bound>
A local nursery said it was a 50/50 chance. She is probably at least 10 inches
long & her scales were once solid black and are now 80% orange. We've had this
pond for probably 15 years. We've had babies before... just never noticed
anything like this. What should I do?
<I would isolate this one fish, treat with Epsom Salt, perhaps try expressing
it...>
Is there any other signs that I should look for... either way? If she does have
that bladder disease will it affect my other fish?
<Depends on root cause/s>
We easily have 50 fish. I'm honestly not sure what type. This was my fathers
project many years ago. He passed away in 1996 and I'm in charge of taking care
of the pond. He purchased fish from different places so I don't know what we
have. As far as I'm concerned the pond this year is the best it has ever been.
Ideal conditions all around... you can see perfectly down to the bottom... it's
that clear. I'm trying my best to keep this going since it was my Dad's project.
I appreciate any advice you can give me regarding my fish.
Thank You,
Eileen
<Likely just the one fish affected... I would quarantine, treat it... Magnesium
sulfate. Bob Fenner>
Koi carp wasting away
Hey there,
We have a garden pond that contains 6 koi carp, some Japanese goldfish and a few
Rudd. The largest koi, however, has been progressively
deteriorating over the past month and is now looking quite underweight. He is having trouble feeding as seems to find it hard to locate the pond sticks and so
isn't getting as much food as usual. Swimming is also taking more effort as he is having to swing his whole body instead of just flicking his tail. He is around 18'' long.
<Some sort of wasting condition...>
Have you any ideas as what his condition could be due to as would hate to see him get any weaker,
<Mmm, could be bacterial, perhaps a genetic development... If the fish is very
valuable, you could try antibiotic injections (50 mg. per pound body weight, intramuscular...
Chloramphenicol/Chloromycetin if you can find it... three injections with three day intervals). Otherwise, I would at least isolate this one mal-affected specimen. Bob Fenner> Pond Goldfish
Dear Wet Web Media Crew,
<Mary-Anne>
I found your site today and have been scouring the abundance of information you have for some help with my fish. I've looked at your FAQ's but can't seem to find anything that may help me with my pond (I know most of your queries are aquarium related but I hoping this is relatively similar), so I
apologize now if you've already answered this type of query many times before :-)
<Okay>
I have a circular pond that holds approximately 1476 litres, it has a solid particle pump which feeds a UV bio-filter, contained in the pond is also 2 lilies and an oxygenating plant, there is also a small fountain pump in the centre but does not normally get turned on. I had 3 goldfish, 3 yellow goldfish, 1 golden
Orfe, 1 blue Orfe, a green tench and golden tench and a white and red fantail plus a comet. All was well with the pond before I went away on holiday to Florida. My
fiancé's parents were looking after it while we were away. When I got back the pond contained a great deal of blanket weed and the golden
Orfe had died. The centre pump was on continuously as the parents thought there might be a problem with oxygen in the water.
<Good>
There was no apparent marks on the dead Orfe. I soon realized that the main pump was not on and that is now on again. I treated the pond with Interpet Pond Balance 3 days ago and have cleared most of the blanket week, Tuesday morning I found a
goldfish dead in the pond, the strange thing was it wasn't floating belly up but almost looked as though it was just on the surface for some extra air! Yesterday evening I took several different water readings as my research seemed to suggest that I probably had a water problem. The PH of the pond is 8.5 (slightly high),
<Actually very high... the pH scale is logarithmic... base ten... one whole point is ten times
difference...>
the ammonia level is 0.1
<Should be zip... am sure you realize the gist of what happened... your biological filtration was lost with the main pump being out... the system went "out of balance"... Coupled with the change in season (more light, heat) the algae outbreak...>
and the NO2 and NO3 are both nil. This morning I have treated the pond with Interpet Sludge buster but I am still worried about the remaining fish as they all seem to be staying in the bottom and very rarely swim about. Even with the main pump on I daren't turn off the little fountain pump as this seems to be helping somewhat. Also one of my yellow goldfish has developed a black edge on all of its fins and just around the mouth is also black, I cannot get a good look at him/her as he/she is hiding beneath a rock but from what I can see there doesn't appear to be any fin rot. In all my research I haven't been able to identify what this
may be. Oh I also forgot to say that I have 3-4 snails in the pond. Please help as I would hate to think they are suffering. Here's hoping you can help.
Cheers
Mary-Anne Clark
<I would instigate a series of daily water change-outs... siphoning out (if you can) about five-ten percent of the water, netting out what weed algae you can... and not cleaning the bio-filter... and being very careful not to overfeed... All should re-settle itself in time. Due to the plant presence, addition of salt, other "treatment" chemicals is not advised. Bob Fenner>
Koi disease, sexing
Hello I have a koi pond approx. 35,000 gallons of water. I have had very good luck with breeding. I have noticed on one of my large koi, a pink tumor like spot on his face. He doesn't seem to be
sick, and he is eating okay. I read some of the questions people have sent you, but I can't seem to find my question. Do you have any suggestions on what this could be?
<Perhaps a bruise, maybe just a color patch... could be something more ominous... Likely not treatable in all cases>
I did read one article that in the spring mating season male koi can have a spot that looks like tumors. I don't know if this one is a male.
Sincerely,
Sharon
<If water visibility is good, not hard to sex koi... males are much slimmer, torpedo-shaped than females... particularly across the "shoulders". Bob Fenner>
Odd koi out
We've got 3 koi and a few goldfishes, the koi always used to swim together but lately one of them is acting very strange
i.e. isolated, very quiet, changes colour on his lips, stay in the deep end of the pond by the
oxygenated plants and put a lots of weight on without eating.
<Good observations>
we though it they were symptoms of white spots and we did a treatment however they idea
of it being pregnant is now striking our mind. could you let us know what you think and what would be best to do? thank you for your reply.
<I would continue to just observe this fish for now... as your other livestock seem fine. Know that fishes are quite different from
Tetrapods... dogs, cats, ourselves for instance, and often exhibit genetic or developmental problems much later in life... This may be such a situation, or just a passing phase of odd behavior. Bob Fenner> Disease in golden orfes
I have about seven golden orfes in my pond. One of them has got quite a back curvature. I have noticed a second once is beginning to show signs of
developing a curvature near the tail end. Would it spread to my other fish? I spoke to the lady at the aquatic centre and she said that it is common
orfes as they get older. Please advise. Should I separate them from the other fish?
I have other types of fish in the pond too: red caps. gold fish Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks
Teresa
<Mmm, could be a genetic developmental problem... perhaps nutritional deficiency in nature... Or possibly evidence of infectious disease
(Myxosoma)... I would definitely separate the mal-affected fish, perhaps all the
orfes... Perhaps have one examined histologically if it perishes. Bob Fenner>
The Dreaded Furunculosis!
Preface: I know my koi housing is totally inadequate and probably
contributed to the disease. Chock it up to inexperience and a lesson well
learned. I have always wanted an outdoor pond and the cost has made it difficult
to achieve. I will not be getting more fish without first establishing the
proper environment.
<<I've seen well-established, properly stocked systems experience bad outbreaks
of this awful disease. While basic husbandry can exacerbate or alleviate the
problem, it is not the "final word".>>
My first experience with sick fish didn't turn out well. I had 3 koi, 2 about
8-9", one 4" (Freckles, Flash and Flip, respectively). After reading your web
site I'm guessing the problem was furunculosis. Freckles had what looked like a
few hemorrhages beneath the skin along the body and one at the mouth, one area
looked like it had penetrated the skin. He also had enlarged eyes with a white
goggle-like appearance.
<<Pardon me, but wholly sheet, that was one badly infected fish. The infection
wasn't just presenting externally, it was systemic. Poor fish!>>
I put him into a Qtank and began to salinize the water, 1 T. per 10 gal every 8
hours for 3 doses.
<<Not sufficient salt, and not sufficient treatment.>>
I did not have available on short notice, the proper medications but did have
and added some Nitrofurazone based fizz type tablets (Tank Buddies Fungus
Clear).
<<Is one treatment.>>
I also dabbed his lesions with iodine.
<<Ok. I've read that Neosporin may actually be effective used in this manner.
This is obviously for external lesions only, cannot address internal/systemic
infection adequately.>>
I found little Flip the next day dead in the pond, same appearance, except the
eyes looked OK. So I removed Flash to the Qtank with Freckles, and increased the
saline to 2%, plenty of aeration too.
<<Good move, but again not sufficient. 3% is the place to start.>>
I examined Flash and found no hemorrhagic spots and eyes looked OK. Next morning
Freckles is dead, too. So far Flash is fine, no lesions, peppy and even eats a
bit. Flash is still lesion free 3 days after this episode began.
<<This is very much like what I experienced with my mother's pond fishes. We
have ONE survivor from our awful bout two years ago, scarred on the side that
suffered a really terrible lesion, but alive.>>
My question is how long should I leave Flash in the brine? Should I bring the
saline solution to 3% or start dilution through water changes?
<<Take it up, definitely. I kept my fish "pickling" for weeks, till they were
lesion-free. I advise the same for you.>>
And most important what about the "pond"? I'm ashamed to say it is only about 50
gal... my fish started at 2-3". It's a filtered and planted plastic tub. Is the
water (tested fine 1 day before this began) contaminated with this darn bug or
whatever it is?
<<Honestly, I would not be surprised if this organism (sorry, can't think of the
genus at the moment.. it's on the tip of my brain!) is actually carried in the
air. Leaving it fallow of fish during treatment should be enough. If it has
plants, DON'T salt!>>
Should I do a complete water change, filter clean out and start fresh?
<<I would only worry about excess mulm/detritus on the bottom. A filter cleaning
won't hurt, but care for your nitrifying bacteria, rinse in pond water only, not
tap water.>>
What about the plants: anacharis, frog-bit, and 1 lily and 1 floating-heart in
pots? How can I decontaminate those?
<<I wouldn't worry about it.>>
Thank you for your help,
Robin Murray
<<Robin, here are some links to good sites on ponds and pond fishes. It doesn't
matter how big (or not) your pond is, this is all applicable. Your koi, however,
are going to need bigger digs VERY soon. Spend the $5 at Wal-Mart and get the
biggest kiddie pool you can, those are about 100 gallons. Cover it, the koi can
jump out easily.
http://www.ponddoc.com/WhatsUpDoc/FishHealth/SpringOutbreak.htm
http://www.blueridgekoi.com/disease_issues.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/koidisfaqs.htm (also search
our goldfish disease FAQs). Here you have a start, the plants are not infected
nor do I believe they can spread this infection. I wish you the very best of
luck, I honestly HATE and LOATHE this disease. Marina>>
Sudden Pond Fish Deaths
I have had an outdoor fish pond (150 gallons) for the last 4 years. I only have comet goldfish in my pond. I came home to find the 3 largest fish dead.
<<Marina here, I'm sorry to read this.>>
I have had them for the last 3-4 years. One of the larger fish was still alive but floating on his side and gulping for his breath.
<<In need of oxygen, possibly too much carbon dioxide or worse in the water.>>
I tried to save him, but was unsuccessful. I have 4 smaller comets that were their offspring (2 yrs old) that are still alive and they do not have any signs of sickness. I am puzzled as to why the larger fish have died.
I have never had any of the Comet fish to die. Our pump messed up and pumped about 70% of the water out the night before they died and we had to fill the pond up that morning.
<<Oh man, there you have it my friend. This is how I lost a whole pond
full of fishes once. >>
We were afraid that it would mess up while we were at work, so I did turn the pump off.
<<Bad juju - you simply ensured that it would end up the same whether or not the pump "messed up".>>
The fish were fine before I left and seemed to enjoy the water change.
<<I'm sure they did, especially if it's been a long time since you've done any maintenance on the pond. A build up of mulm/detritus on the bottom would be another reason for sudden deaths - anaerobic conditions may very well have been created with such a buildup, the gasses then build to the point where they are released into the water et voila'! Dead, gasping fishes.>>
The outside temperature was around 73 degrees the day they died. I don't know if they died from lack of aeration, but I have left it off before without any problems.
<<It wasn't that, it was such a large change without following aeration. For one thing, the water out of the tap has a great deal of gasses in solution. When you take that water out of the pipe, the pressure that kept the gasses in solution is gone, thusly, the gasses turn to bubbles, hopefully BEFORE the fish breathe them in. If not, they got the "bends" in a manner of speaking. NEVER refill a pond this way with fish and NOT ensure aeration and/or turbulent water movement to ensure this doesn't happen. Let's not forget that if on municipal water chloramine is likely present, bond between chlorine/ammonia MUST be broken chemically.>>
I have also done water changes greater than 70 % without any problems.
<<Did you leave the pump off after doing such a large water change? In a situation such as this we cannot ascribe the deaths to any ONE cause, but more likely a chain of events, several root causes coming together for a lethal combination. Do some maintenance on the pond if it hasn't been done already, check the pump and replace if necessary. I LOVE Eponds.com by the way. Fantastic service, incredibly fast shipping, incredible deals on product.>>
Any ideas as to what happened to my large fish (10 -13 inches long)?
<<Whoa.. they got THAT big in just 3-4 years?? As above, a combination of factors is my best guess here. If you have plants then they help prevent these sorts of problems. If you don't, consider adding live plants. Marina>> | |
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