[Paul Ford]

Hi,

Only had my pond a few weeks and I've got a few koi and a ghost koi.

Every now and again the ghost koi rubs himself against the side or pump as if to scratch an itch!? Other than that he appears fine and is quite active and feeds well (Although I have just changed the food to some Nishikoi "growth" and he appears to spit it back out sometimes!?)

Also, I have a largish white koi (sorry no idea what type!) who sometimes lays perfectly still at the bottom (and sometimes tucks in all of his fins!?) - I did a water test (I have been every couple of days since putting the pond in) and the PH appeared a bit high (difficult to tell for sure as each of my family reckoned the colour corresponded with a different value!?) but I think it had crept up to 8.5 or 9. I did a 30% water change and he does appear to have perked up a bit but he still lies on the bottom at times?

Cheers

Paul

[worthy]

well you need to stabalise your ph as this will cause your fish to flash ie rub on the pump what is the other test resaults of the water ie Nitrate Nitrite Amonia? or you could have a parasite so it would be worth getting a scrape done to check

[bcfc]

hi,as worthy say,u will be going though nps.so first get ur water right.wot test kit u useing? and post ur prams.asap.

[koimaster]

new pond syndrome = nps
all above are correct

[Paul Ford]

Hi Guys, thanks for the quick responses

I've got a tetrapond test kit. Just done a test:

PH = 8
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = between < 0.3 and 0.3
The kit doesn't have a Nitrate test.

When I test them I hold them up to the light is that right? (This seems to make a bit of a difference with the PH one )

I've read on here a few times about getting a "scrape" done. Presumably this means netting the fish and scraping it with something....? What does this entail exactly (I do have an old microscope somewhere - or would I have to take it somewhere?)

Many thanks for your help.

Paul

[koimaster]

i hold all my tests againest the colour chart help to make sure the colour is right

[bcfc]

the tetra kit is a good one.so water is ok.takeing a scrape,from the tail to head,with a plastic plant lable,thats wot i use.scrape some slime off koi and put on slide.magnification,start at x100 up to 300.and see!