[homesicklondonboy]

HI,
I recently moved to a house with a Koi pond.Â* The owners did not want to take the fish with them so we have taken over their upkeep.Â*

So knowing very little about the subject we have read books and talked to the local experts at our nearest Koi shop.Â* There is a lot to learn... but it is well worth while to see the fish.

We have been here about 2 months and one fish is now very lethargic, preferring to spend his time in the Lillie's at the top of the pond.Â* If you try to touch him, he is off and swims around like the rest of the fish.Â* He is also not eating any food at the moment.Â*

We have checked the water quality and this seems OK.Â* Our pond is about 750 gallons, and we have 5 Koi the largest is about 60 cm long.Â* the fish almost seem to big for the pond, but I am told this is OK but no more.

Can anyone help me identify what is wrong with my Koi (him or her) only I don't want to loose it now that we are keen to persue this hobby.

Many thanks

[JONO]

Hi

Where abouts do you live? Is your pond got any aeration to it as these warm days draw out alot of the oxygen in the pond, especially in the morning.


Jono ;D ;D

[homesicklondonboy]

Hi Jono
Thanks for your help.
We have a running waterfall for the return of water from the filter box. I have assumed this provides enough oxygen for the fish or do you think I need to add some kind of additional aerator?.
The other 4 fish are fine.
Thanks again for your advice

[john sarge]

Hi

You could have a parasite or bacterial problem, this is the worst time of year for them as the weather has just started to warm up, are there any koi dealers local to you that can do a scrape for you to check for parasites? are any of your other koi showing any symptoms ? flicking against the bottom of your pond or hanging in the water with their fins clamped to their sides, are there any signs of any sores on them?
If you let us know what part of the country you live somebody here might be able to help or let you know where to get some help local to you. I am in Manchester if that is any help.

John

[JONO]

Hi

It could well be what John says and would pay to get a scrape. The reason i ask about the oxygen is I received an email from a person in Kettering that couldnt understand why his fish were dying, koi and goldfish, upon seeing the pond there was hardly any aeration in the pond. He put in some airstones and the fish that were still in the pond were acting lerthargic seem to become active again. I am no expert but it seems it is one of the things we koi keepers sometimes overlook, me included. I have now a pond that when I am not looking at the koi is bubbling like a cauldron.


Jono ;D ;D

[homesicklondonboy]

Thanks John

I live in Poole, Dorset. There are no visible signs on the Koi as far as I can see, but I haven't yet taken him out of the pond to do a full examination. Will try this tommorrow. I appreciate your input re the scrape and will try to find someone who can do this for me. All the other fish seem to be fine, no flicking or anything. No sign of sores as far as I can see.

Mike

[john sarge]

Hi Mike

As Jono says get some air in there it can only do them good. Hopefully somebody near to you can help, good luck with your fish it's a but far for me

John