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triple P, you are one of 'more than' a hand full of people around the world having the same issues.
The basic facts are:
* carp are a temperate water fish ( not a true cold water fish) that has an evolved metabolism that operates best (meaning most efficiently) between the temperatures of 64- 76 F.
* modern carp have evolved with their environment over the last 12,000 years so that their endocrine systems, triggered by light, water temperature and diet, dictate to the body how to use energy and for what purpose. This is the internal biological clock of the koi
* Nishikigoi, an isolated gene pool of common carp, inherits these tendencies and biological imperatives and evolved in a setting of it's own ( Japan) which is also a temperature climate
* koi and carp are highly adaptable and proven by the fact that they have been moved all over the word and survive well. But in some tropical areas other subspecies of carp do better than our common carp. So 'survival' of the species seems possible everywhere. But 'flourishing' of the individual is not as assured in the extreme cold or the extreme warmth of some areas
* Being aware of your area's shortcomings can be managed with a little creativity. Whether it is too hot all year round or two cold all year round, a strategy can be adopted.
In a tropical setting we have a koi in a state of eternal summer due to the fact that the sun hits the ground at pretty much the same angle 12 months of the year. But you do most likely see climate change in terms of precipitation/ dry season. This is how most lower forms of life 'cycle' in areas where temperature change does not occur to the extremes of temperate regions. So reptiles 'hibernate' in dry seasons and so do some species of fish. They fix their cycles to the rainy season and this is re-enforced by the change in diet ( lack of prey resulting in low protein intake and infrequent meals).
The change needed to get true rest or stasis and thus controlled starvation is complicated. You need a significant change from the daily high temperatures ( I quote 20 degrees). And the low must be below the metabolic optimal range for a carp ( this is 64 F).
Since true digestion stops at around 46 F, you are in a limbo of sorts between 46 F and 64 F in which a koi is between the ability to eat and gain outside energy and the point where that is just not possible and the koi must derive it's sustenance from internally stored energy. Within that zone the koi experiences no winter stress until it reaches the point of excess 'draining of the swamp' of stored reserves and goes into yet another stressor of true starvation. This is more about the issue of time exposure.
By the way, the fact that koi are looking to spawn out of their natural biological cycle ( carp are seasonal breeders in their natural setting, breeding once or twice in the Spring) should tell you that 'eternal summer' has the consequence of throwing off the koi's natural internal clock. So this represents as harmful a condition long term as does a fast where the fish is too active and losing too much weight.
I would therefore experiment with the normal wet/dry cycle and what you know to be the normal shady ( cloud cover/rain) time of year and that will typically coincide with your lowest temperatures. I would then use that change to shift diet to a low protein mix ( say 16-18%) and reduce calorie intake by half or more. I suggested, on another board, that every other day feeding or one week on and one week off might be a place to start.
This should be enough to effect the liver and brain and cause a shift in insulin, stored glycogen and excess stored or exhausted protein to be used internally. This will also likely effect GH ( growth hormone ) levels and bring out compensatory growth patterns again.
You will need to experiment and be patient as it will take a full cycle for you to know if you are doing any good. The 'good' will be seen in a slowing in aging stress ( pitted skulls, deformed larger than normal heads, over grown fins etc) . loss of color intensity and luster loss. You should also see no 'chicken breast' or mis-shapened bodies which typically occurs over four years or so in an eternal summer setting. And of course, the incidence of ovarian tumors, cysts and infections should subside. Best of Luck, JR
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02-06-2008
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