Skittish koi?

[rroberts19@houston.rr.com]

Hi there, I'm excited to have just found this forum! I just recently had my pond redone and had a natural bog added for filtration. When I got home the day it was finished, I was aghast to see 2 of my fish dead and all of of the rest of the koi (and comets) behaving very strangely. The company that I had work on the pond did a beautiful job but apparently had absolutely no common sense when it comes to koi, they just added them right back in as soon as they were done. I was planning on keeping them in the holding tank til things got settled. Anyway, I checked the PH and it was 9! My poor fish! I added PH reducer and got it back down to a decent level within the next hour. Unfortunately I lost about 8 of my guys:-( The remaining fish are very shy now and won't come up to eat when we are watching. It has been about 3 weeks now and they are still very skittish. Will they ever get over this trauma? Is there anything I can do for them? Help!

[dick benbow]

PH shock is a very harrowing experience for both koi and keeper. Sorry you had to learn at the hands of someone less than informed.

I would venture a quess that things should return to normal after a time. My koi always acted afraid when a heron or raccoon would come to the pond. I'd go to feed them and they'd not come up. Set a live trap with tuna and there is the masked banditt. Within days they were back to their routine.

I mention this cause maybe your new vegetable filter is attracting something that's got them spooked?

[jameslu]

Koi are skittish because they are not comfortable. Don't feed until problem is identified and corrected. Check ammonia level. Do you have dirt with your plants? Maybe the soil contain fertilizers.

Why did your pH shot up? Was the addition made from concrete or liner? Water change will help.

Once everything returns to normal, keep in mind that with water plants, your pH will fluctuate natually on a daily basis. The plants absorb CO2 when there is light, but release CO2 in the dark. The will cause pH shifts. This is normal and will not bother the fish.

Good luck.

[MikeM]

Are the fish acting nervous, darting at the slightest movement? Or, is it that they seem afraid to come to the surface? The nervous darting would cause me to be concerned water chemistry was off in some respect. It could be that the biofilter is cycling and you have some ammonia/nitrite issues. Even slight amounts of either can produce nervousness. When ponds are re-done, it is common that existing overhanging trees, shrubs etc. are removed or trimmed back. The change in surroundings, exposure to more sunlight, etc can cause nervousness. You might try adding something to provide cover. Some folks use a floating styrofoam sheet or the like for the fish to hide under. But I do not think it necessary unless they are jumping.

Last year I posted a similar question. Hurricanes that came through eliminated the tree cover, exposing the pond to full sun. I tested everything. I actually had better water quality than when the leaves were dropping in all the time, but nervous fish would dart across the pond for no reason. I was advised that it was likely just a matter of adjusting. I did not quite accept that, and kept testing, etc. to try to find something wrong... stray electric current, some new additive in the tap water. Never found anything. It took about six weeks after the loud noise of sawing, heavy equipment, etc. left the neighborhood that they were back to normal behaviors.

Good luck!

[rroberts19@houston.rr.com]

I have a few little bandits that cause trouble in my neighborhood, I hadn't even thought that they would bother the fish. Is it their presence that creeps them out or do they try to catch them or something? The water chem is good, so maybe on top of the trauma of the new pond they are getting spooked by some coons. Those raccoons are so damn cute, but so naughty! I am going to have to keep an eye out for them. From what everyone has said it sounds like they'll mellow out after some more time. Thanks!

[KoiCCAPW]

Yeah, raccoons are cute, but they really enjoy expencive carp dinners! If raccoons have been around, then yes, your koi will be very nervous for awhile.

Look for things moved about, or upturned. If it is 'coons and they didn't get anything the first time, THEY WILL BE BACK!.

I hope your new pond is at least 3 feet (or more!) deep, with straight sides. You should be safe then.

[Steve Nguyen]

raccoons will be back regardless they got your fish or not. get a fido-shock pet deterrent kit and set it up around your pond. it should keep the coons away.

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCCAPW Yeah, raccoons are cute, but they really enjoy expencive carp dinners! If raccoons have been around, then yes, your koi will be very nervous for awhile. Look for things moved about, or upturned. If it is 'coons and they didn't get anything the first time, THEY WILL BE BACK!. I hope your new pond is at least 3 feet (or more!) deep, with straight sides. You should be safe then.

[bekko]

I thought that pH-down stuff was pretty transient - especially is you have some fresh concrete in the system. Have you checked your pH again? If the pH went back up, maybe you should move the fish to a holding tank put on some sort of sealer.


-steve hop kins

[Ruth Rice]

Check your source water and also check it after you have let it sit overnight. I would not using anything to drop the ph but especially would not if your source water is higher. Did they just dump the fish in or did they let them float to get adgusted to the temperature? If they did not acclimate them that can be hard on them too.