HELP! A Few Kois Flashing

[PoNG]

Hello everyone,
Iam new to this forum so please be nice =]
I purchased a few kois 12 days ago, and just got done putting them in the pond 3 days ago. Since then, i have noticed 4 of my kois flashing(scratching.) I have a total of 9 kois ranging from 6" to 20", prior to the addition of the new kois, i did not see any of my kois flashing, so it leads me to believe that this came from the new kois, or it could have been the rain the past few days. I have yet to do a water reading. All my test strips ran-out and the pet store is closed, so i have to wait until tomorrow to get more. I usually just test for pH, but after reading a few threads i found out that i need to test more water parameters, could anyone tell me what i should test for. So in conclusion, i need koi lovers who have experienced or have vast knowledge on this matter, any form of help will be greatly appreciated. So please help me cure my kois that are currently flashing. thanks in advance!

[MCA]

Nine days does not a QT protocol make. QT needs to be 4-6 weeks minimum. Sounds like the new fish most may have introduced parasites. You will not know for sure without catching a few and scrape them and observe the mucus under a microscope. Once you identify the parasites (flukes, costia, ich..etc.) then you know the right treatment protocol.

In the meantime get a drop test, not test strips, and test for at least ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. On a mature pond, ammonia and nitrite should test out as zero. Nitrate should be 10mg/l or less ideally. Ph should be stable and in the 7.2 to 7.5 range ideally with ranges from 7.0 to 8.0 being OK. With ph the key is stability.

[PoNG]

Thanks for the quick response MCA! Will do that tomorrow when I get drop tests. Should I maybe add .1% salt and do a 10% water change to kick off the curing process? Once again, thanks!

[gcuss]

Pong,

Lots of good help to be had here. I'll leave the more experienced MCA to help you out.

One thing I wanted to mention.... the plural for Koi, is Koi. (no "S")

Good Luck and welcome to the forum.

Grant

[MCA]

I would not add salt. If the problem is nitrite poisioning (not likely) then OK. But if you are trying to kill parasites with salt that will take over .3% salt and then limit you on what other treatments can be used. Sorry, I am not a fan of using salt until a diagnosis says that is the most appropriate thing for the problem.

[KoiCop]

Hello PoNG . . .

Since you're new to the board and weighing the possible use of salt in your pond, you might want to review what the experts have to say:

Salt . . .
_____
Don

[PoNG]

Hey all! Good news!
After contemplating on whether my newly purchased koi were infected, was out of the question because these koi were purchased at kodama koi farm, thats how highly I trust and think of them After doing water readings, I have determined the problem; high nitrite, a reading of almost 2ppm, but never went over 2ppm. So I came to a conclusion that I did a poor job cleaning my jmats. This morning, I did 10% water change, and will keep doing so until nitrite is subdued, also added .1% salt and refresh powder to the pond to help my koi mend and cope with the high nitrite. It has only been hours since the treatment to the pond, so its to early to say if im home safe, so lets hope and pray that I will be successful in eradicating this problem. Again, thanks for all the help everyone has provided.

[MCA]

First I am glad the problem is nitrites!!!

Second, I don't care where new fish came from.....NEVER introduce new fish to an existing pond of fish without YOU doing a QT for 4-6 weeks. Zero exceptions!!!! This is NOT in any way a negative about any breeder or dealer. It just to remember that they are human and make mistakes. Stuff happens. The burden of caring for YOUR fish is always with you.

Sorry....I will get off the box now.....

[gcuss]

Quote: Originally Posted by PoNG Hey all! Good news! After contemplating on whether my newly purchased koi were infected, was out of the question because these koi were purchased at kodama koi farm, thats how highly I trust and think of them After doing water readings, I have determined the problem; high nitrite, a reading of almost 2ppm, but never went over 2ppm. So I came to a conclusion that I did a poor job cleaning my jmats. This morning, I did 10% water change, and will keep doing so until nitrite is subdued, also added .1% salt and refresh powder to the pond to help my koi mend and cope with the high nitrite. It has only been hours since the treatment to the pond, so its to early to say if im home safe, so lets hope and pray that I will be successful in eradicating this problem. Again, thanks for all the help everyone has provided.

Well, I wouldn't say high nitrites are ever good news... however. Its good you've identified one problem, and are taking steps to correct it.

Don't let the source of any koi lull you into security. The best of the best have fallen prey to the worst of the health problems out there...

Having said that. Any koi coming out of a mud pond will most likely have parasites on it. And perhaps in that mud pond with the bugs, the water was of such good quality the koi was able to deal with them on its own. Now take that koi away from 1000's of gals of great water, stick him in a vat for a while, ship him across the country in a little bag and no water changes, and the parasites can take a good hold. Nothing wrong with the breeder's ponds or fish, nothing wrong with the dealer either. Simply a situational issue and if QT is followed, scraping and scoping is performed, and the fish are treated medically where appropriate... winner winner chicken dinner! Now, take that same fish, (the one from the mud, to the vat, to the bag) and put him into a somewhat crowded, ill maintained pond. He brings the bugs in, fires em off to the rest of the crew who are already a little stressed because of the environment, and bingo! The whole pond is sick!

Anyway, increase your aeration, ensure your turnover rate is suitable, perform daily water changes (5 - 10% at least until you're under 1 in the nitrite) and stop feeding until your nitrite has gone away.

Please take some time and scrape/scope your fish. Take it from one who has thrown meds into a pond blindly. Treatments work best, when the target is identified. If you don't have a microscope, contact a club in your area and they might be able to help you. Plus you'll get the side benefit of joining a koi club, and having people you can call for emergencies and advice! Win Win!!

Best of luck.

Grant

[PoNG]

Once again thanks for everyones help and concern, rest assured, I will take into account all of these tips/lessons you are providing me. It was a mistake on my part to shortcut QT process, also kodama koi farm is only 20 minutes drive from my house, living in Hawaii has its advantages