sick kois

[dirrtybirdy]

my kois are getting sick!

first their fins start thining out and start to deteriorate. then this seeps up to their body and the back part of their body turns white. i thought it was fin rot and treated my whole pond. but it didnt work.


can anyone help me please?


ps. i also put them into a qt tank and treat them but it still doesnt work they die.

[MikeM]

Photos would help.

If it is fin rot, the first step needs to be to get at the source, which is usually poor water quality and decomposing debris in the pond. While that is being worked on, the fish can be treated in a properly filtered QT with any of several antibiotic medications available. I do not know your level within the hobby, so I'll assume you are a novice. Experienced folks will tell you that injection is best, but I realize it is generally not practical for beginning level hobbyists. Check for bulk-size commercial products available for the pond and aquarium trade. In much of the country, however, you are going to have a real challenge unless you can heat the water to around 72-75F.

Where fin rot sets in, there is usually a weakened condition that allows all sorts of parasites to take hold. These need to be checked out. Using a microscope is best.

Check the AKCA website for a koi club near you. See if they have a Koi Health Advisor who can come assist you. Also, check out koivet.com . That is one of the better sites for basic koi health issues.

Good luck.

[JasPR]

Mike is spot on here. Your fish's problem is about it's environment and not about a disease 'on' the fish. The bacteria is attacking your fish now because your pond is an ideal home for them , for some reason..

There are many causes for the pond environment to go bad- Mike mentioned decay from waste and leaves. It can also be from over feeding, poor water circulation, dying algae, too many fish and anything elese that might have organic material rotting on the pond floor or within the water column ( so you may not actually see waste) .
These symptoms can also be from ammonia burns or excess nitrite or even excess nitrate. Also parasites, especally trichodina and chilodonella can be a contributing factor as they also love the same water conditions that these bacteria do.
One of the challenges you face now is winter temperature. Do you live in a cold climate? If so you may have to move your koi inside to treat- this is very tricky as in the inside conditions must be better than the outside conditions which is difficult to achieve on a moments notice. So think this decision thru carefully.
First things to check

1) ammonia
2) nitrite
3) nitrate
4) pH
5) check them for parasites using a scaping of slime coat and an exam
6) check your stocking rates- one fish per 250 US gallons ( 75 gallons for small fish)
7) stop feeding your fish for 5 days.
8) remove any debris in the pond or on the floor- especially dead algae and leaves
9) do a 25% water change weekly- or even biweekly! Watch out for chlorine/chloramines
10) add aeration to mix water levels
11) make sure your circulation is at least once every two hours ( that's ALL the pond water) thru the filters.
12) add a moderate amount of salt
13) See if you can get your hands on some potassium permanganate and some nitrofurazone powder.
14) find an advanced hobbyist/koi club in your area and see if you can get some hands on help.
15) have those same individuals review your filtration/ pond design, maintenance and feeding technique.

Best of luck, JR

[dirrtybirdy]

i am a complete novice! i didint do research on kois. i built a pond and stumbled upon some koi fry that was really cheap. so i just tossed them in there without knowing anything.


i had water lettuce in there and they were starting to die, and i noticed that they were making the water dirty so i took them all out. my filtration circulates 1 every two hours. i have a fishmate biofilter. its a 3000 gal pond

here are some pics. i just noticed that this one is bleeding from the gills! what should i do. im low on cash =( lol

[lildude]

Quote: Originally Posted by dirrtybirdy i am a complete novice! i didint do research on kois. i built a pond and stumbled upon some koi fry that was really cheap. so i just tossed them in there without knowing anything. i had water lettuce in there and they were starting to die, and i noticed that they were making the water dirty so i took them all out. my filtration circulates 1 every two hours. i have a fishmate biofilter. its a 3000 gal pond here are some pics. i just noticed that this one is bleeding from the gills! what should i do. im low on cash =( lol

Hmmm, do you have a local koi place that specializes in koi only? If you do, phone them and tell them what is wrong. They may be able to help you.


Bleeding of gills, Fins rotting, White mucus all over fish? Hmmm. You could have a combination of multiple koi ailments.


First thing to do.
Test for all water parameters!
Nitrate?
Nitrite?
Ammonia?
TDS? If you have it.
----
What is your stocking rate?

[dirrtybirdy]

thanks for all your help. i will go there tomorrow and see what they say, come back and inform you guys

[PapaBear]

Just before you go, get a gallon of water from the pond to take with you and ask them to help you with testing. It will help get the right answers.

[lildude]

Quote: Originally Posted by dirrtybirdy thanks for all your help. i will go there tomorrow and see what they say, come back and inform you guys

DO NOT TAKE YOUR KOI WITH YOU!~