Please Help! Strange behavior in koi- Laying on bottom

[MikeM]

It remains unclear what caused this. The parameters posted indicate the filter has been operating sufficiently to maintain nitrification. If the previously owned koi are now acting normal, just pay close attention. If they are staying on the bottom, then I suspect a parasite infestation. The best practice is to scope/scrape. If you are not able to do that, see if there is a Koi Health Advisor nearby who can visit to check things out right away. (Check AKCA website.) If not, you are left to guess. Educated guesses are still just guesses. ProForm C is a wide spectrum parasiticide that will kill or reduce the population of most parasites affecting koi. But, it must be used per instructions. Verifying exact gallonage of the pond is important. Tough to do when fish are in the pond. Best way available to most ponders is to empty the pond and refill using the water meter to the house as the measuring device. (No water use in the house when the pond is being refilled!... no showers, no laundry, no dishwashing....) A 100% water change is not a recommended practice, but sometimes it has to be done. Be certain to dechlorinate. If chloramine is in the tap water, need to use an ammonia-binder as well.

The most common parasite, however, is the fluke. ProForm C is not fully effective against flukes. This is why it is best to scrape/scope to identify target parasite before using chemicals. There are several fluke remedies on the market. Praziquantel is widely recommended, but expensive. Supaverm is less expensive, but some report negative side effects (perhaps most likely due to improper mixing). The old-fashioned remedy was Fluke Tabs, but often difficult to find in stock. It has negative side effects if overdosed or directions not followed carefully... water changes required.

Go to koivet.com for info on parasites and treatments.

And... I repeat, if your koi are acting fine, just observe. Do not add chemicals 'just in case'. Virtually every 'koi medication' is poisonous to the koi to some degree. We kill parasites by adding enough chemical to get rid of the vermin without crossing the line to kill the koi. they survive, but the 'near death' experience of chemical warfare is not beneficial. It is simply better than leaving parasites untreated.

Good luck keeping your koi.

[ootyboy]

Mike great advice. How about a PP treatment? That should get rid of most of the parasites, and it not as harmful to fish as Proform-c or other medicines.

[LaLa]

Quote: Originally Posted by ootyboy Mike great advice. How about a PP treatment? That should get rid of most of the parasites, and it not as harmful to fish as Proform-c or other medicines.

How is PP less harmful than ProformC?

[MikeM]

It is appropriate to note that I have a bias against potassium permanganate and never recommend it for anything. JR has convinced me that it is an acceptable (and sometimes only effective) treatment for trichodina. ...But, I still never recommend it. I am at least as extreme anti-PP as its No 1 supporter on the boards is extreme in the other direction.

[LaLa]

1) How long should the new fish be in QT?
2) After we know they are free of bugs, how long should they stay there with summer temps mid 70's for viruses?

Quote: Originally Posted by tranquility I can't emphasize that enough to my customers---your playin' Russian roulette when you do that...it takes something like this to convince them....sorry you had to go thru this---but, now you know why is sooo important to qt new arrivals... Lawanna

[mstrseed]

Quote: Originally Posted by LaLa 1) How long should the new fish be in QT? My suggestion is 2 months 2) After we know they are free of bugs, how long should they stay there with summer temps mid 70's for viruses?

After the 2 months IMHO they can be placed into the general population

[LaLa]

I'm working on a 500gal QT pond now that should work fine for a 2 month QT time. Might get a couple of goldfish to get the filter going and just leave them in there to keep it going all year.

Quote: Originally Posted by mstrseed After the 2 months IMHO they can be placed into the general population

[CarolinaGirl]

In my opinion, PP is much more dangerous than proformC. I have used proformC several times in the past at 1.5 times the recommended dosage (I am not suggesting anyone else try this though...use your own judgement) with no ill effects even on very small fish. If you OD on PP at that rate, you will end up with dead fish or fish with damaged gills and burned fins.