[Jason K.]

I came home last night to see one of my koi's scales were hanging off the front/ top of its head. Pulled him out to isolate and determine the problem and noticed redness around the mouth, belly and fins. Have lost five fish already for unknown reasons (scrapes all turned out fine) in the last month but this one is the only one that had an issue with its scales. The only thing he could have ran into are drain covers at the bottom of the pond. Water has also been tested at two different pond stores and nothing is out of the ordinary. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jason

[miles41]

Hi Jason,

From your description, it sounds like it maybe ulcers?
It's distressing to learn that 5 have died already though Koi are more vunerable to diseases at cold water temps (assuming you're un-heated), as their immune systems tend to almost shut down along with their overall activeness; yet parasites etc. still survive at low temps.

Hope you manage to sort it

[Koipondconstruction]

Sounds to me like internal bacterial problem regarding reddish areas. You can get a powder you dilute and spray on food.
Without seeing pics etc that would be my 1st port of call if others had red areas too.
I had similar problem some time ago, it does work but this time of yr it may not be as effective.

[Jason K.]

Originally Posted by miles41

Hi Jason,

From your description, it sounds like it maybe ulcers?
It's distressing to learn that 5 have died already though Koi are more vunerable to diseases at cold water temps (assuming you're un-heated), as their immune systems tend to almost shut down along with their overall activeness; yet parasites etc. still survive at low temps.

Hope you manage to sort it

The water temps are colder than usual, yet is it normal to use heaters even if your pond will never freeze over?

[Jason K.]

Originally Posted by Koipondconstruction

Sounds to me like internal bacterial problem regarding reddish areas. You can get a powder you dilute and spray on food.
Without seeing pics etc that would be my 1st port of call if others had red areas too.
I had similar problem some time ago, it does work but this time of yr it may not be as effective.

The fish aren't interested in eating right now (colder temps), is there something else that can be done? I'll provide a picture to post when I get home later. Thank you.

[miles41]

Originally Posted by Jason K.

The water temps are colder than usual, yet is it normal to use heaters even if your pond will never freeze over?

There's massive debate over heating in winter and it's not just to do with water freezing over, moreover to preserve the koi's health.
IMOit is good to give them a period of 'rest' with temps maintained at about 8°c and then to gradually increase towards spring.
Koi are not true cold water fish, and they will inevitably enter a period of hibernation at the bottom of the pond if not artifcially heated.
Others will have a different opinion on heating - I don't heat at the moment, but my new pond next year, will be.

[Davej]

Hiya

Always best to start with the basics, sorry it‘s a bit of a chore but background is important.

• How big is the pond and what is the stock rate?
• Do you know what the water parameters are, Ammonia, Nitrite pH?
• What is the pond temp?
• Are you feeding the fish?
• When was the last time you added a fish?
• Whats the history on the casualties? Ie how long ago?

It may well be parasites, you mention that you have scraped some of the others - did you scrape this fish when you took it out?.

Dave

[Gazfish]

Hi Guys,

I have to agree with Dave always go back to basics and in doing it this route and then when we get some more info we can work back and hopefully find the problem.

So all info on your set up and maintenance routine and the questions as Dave has listed above will give us a better insight.