[fosters koi]

Hi everyone ,i was just watching my fish,and noticed one of my koi ,what looked like scratching it,s side on the bottom of the pond.(like flipping on its side quickly).I think it could be fish lice but not 100% sure though.We had a few frogs and toads in the pond this year,that got underneath the net ,and i have added two new fish around two months ago to.
Has anyone got any ideas of what it might be?any help would be brill ,thanks everyone .
All the best
paul

[Davej]

Hi Paul

Flashing is a sign that something is wrong, either with the water or with "unwanted friends".

Sorry for the questions

First off Water - what are Ammonia, Nitrite and pH levels.

Is it just one fish?

Does it happen after you have added new water to the system?

Next "unwanted friends"

Have you added any new fish to the system in the last month or so?

Unlikely to be fish "lice" ; if there were you would be able to see them - more likely to be one of the more normal Guys -Tric, Skin or Gill Flukes, Chilodonella, Whitespot or Costia, all are parasites that feed on the fish, some cause more irritaion than others..

The only way to identify what "friends" your fish may have is by a skin scrape - examining a small sample of mucus (slime) from the side of the fish under a microscope - sounds difficult but a ten minute job.

Thereafter you can treat the pond with the appropriate medication and say goodbye to the hangers on.

Local dealer or local KOiclub may be able to help you, best trying to get to the bottom of things reasonably speedily.

Hope this helps

Dave

Dave

[fosters koi]

Hi dave ,thanks for the reply and help m8 ,I have,nt got a test kit at the moment,but need to get one.I have,nt added any new water to the pond for about a year and a half now, i did add two small koi around 6 weeks ago,the rest have been in there for years and had no problems until i noticed it around week ago.I have,nt got a microscope to do a fish scrape. .need one tho.I might try local dealer,and find out about my local koi club.

Thanks for reply and all the help Dave,
best wishes
Paul

[Davej]

Hi Paul

Not sure if I read the water change bit right?

Dave

[fosters koi]

hi dave ,i have,nt added any new water to the pond for at least year now.
paul

[Davej]

Hi Paul

Well first of all I would get the water test kits and take readings; then I would be changing 25 % of the water each week for a month.

You will need to add some dechlorinator to your shopping list, you will need to add this after you have changed some water.

It may well be that your fish have unwanted friends but good housekeeping fish wise - is to exchange water regularly, look at 10% a week as a minimum in the summer. Reason being twofold, 1) some of the important elements in the water will be used up over time and 2) pollutants will gradually build up in the system and can only be removed by dissolving them.

Dave

[fosters koi]

Hi dave
i am definetly going to get some test kits, then i,ll start doing the water changes as you said. As i,ve never had a test kit before Dave, can you advise me of any good test kits m8.? I know it might seem a silly question but i,ve seen so many different makes of test kits. Once i get the test kits i,ll post the results. Hopefully i can find out what is causing the distress to the fish.
Thankyou for all you help and advice Dave
best wishes
Paul

[Davej]

Tetra test kits will give you a good clue as to what is going on in the water.

Dave

[markf1fan]

Originally Posted by fosters koi

Hi dave
i am definetly going to get some test kits, then i,ll start doing the water changes as you said. As i,ve never had a test kit before Dave, can you advise me of any good test kits m8.? I know it might seem a silly question but i,ve seen so many different makes of test kits. Once i get the test kits i,ll post the results. Hopefully i can find out what is causing the distress to the fish.
Thankyou for all you help and advice Dave
best wishes
Paul

Hiya paul i do test kits on my site at,

Test Kits - Shop

mark

[fosters koi]

Hi mark ,will be ordering some test kits very soon ,thanks for your help, you,ve got a nice helpful website there m8.
best wishes
Paul