"Ann in Houston" wrote in message
. com...
First, I do not want to use a net, but we have never had success herding
them into a tub or bucket. I will likely do it from inside the pond, but
I
don't know any other way to improve the "fish rodeo", as we call it here
at
our house.
I use a sock net to net and handle my fish. It is relatively easy and much
less stressful than the courser nets. Mine is model KS44 from Aquatic Eco.
I use a large flat net to herd them to a location for easy catch. The sock
net prevents most lost scales, torn fins, scratches etc.
Second, it seems to me that there should be some preventive that we can
add
to the pond water to reduce the likelihood of infection. Salt comes to
mind, but I have read that it isn't effective against bacteria. Does it
protect their slime coat?
Salt does improve the slime coat and eases the transition. About 1 pound
per 100 gallons is good. My favorite water treatment is KoiZyme, which
competes with the aeromonas bacteria which cause ulcers. It will allow any
wounds to heal without getting bacterial infections which would then require
antibiotics. It is rather pricey, but I use it routinely. If the fish
scrape themselves on any of the overhanging rocks, plumbing, or otherwise
get a scratch, it prevents it getting infected.

TIA,

Ann


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