On Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:04:00 CST, "humBill" wrote:

2 Saturdays ago I was given a 15 inch domestic koi, probably fairly young as
it is not very broad. I floated the bag for about 30 minutes and then
released him. For about the first five days it seemed just fine. In fact
for several days it was chasing one of my others, presumably trying to
spawn. It came from a giant pond (20000 gal or more) so I wasn't too
surprised when it seemed to wander around more instead of staying with the
group. But then I noticed it just kind of lingering and was concerned.
Starting about 3 days ago it is obviously in great distress and dying. It
stays at the edge of the pond, gasping and has difficulty even staying
upright. It has few symptoms that I can recognize. Although it is not
obviously milky white it must have some slime coat thickening as it seems it
is literally dirty on its top side. The only other thing is difficult to
describe and I don't know if it is atypical for this fish. Though it is
mostly orange both gill covers look like they have a giant thumbprint on
them in white. I haven't had it long enough to know if this was it's
normal, although my guess is not.

2 days ago I notice a few of the fish flashing. One small one even jumped
out of the water, so I thought well maybe it's unknown parasites. I salted
to .1% that evening and dosed 10 gms of PP for my 1000 gal pond yesterday.
Though it isnt obvious to me I must have more 'organics' than I thought as I
actually dosed 3 times and each time the sample was virtually clear within
an hour or so. I have not dechlorinated in 10 days minimum. I still will
continue to try to get a more sustained pink, although the 'irritation'
seems to have stopped. The only improvement in the koi is minimal at best -
now instead of being on the side of the pond with heavy plants he is on the
open side. I never saw him flashing at all. If I try to get right over him
to look at him he will dive, but then come floating back up when I move.
As mentioned 1000 gal - 13 fish - 4 koi (2 5", 1 about 11 inches and the
sick guy) and the rest comets 3-6 inches. The water seems fine Am,
Nitri,Nitra -0-0-10. pH 7.6/7.8, kH 8, gH 12. water temp 68 and I have been
lightly feeding. About the only thing I could move the koi to is a
currently dry and empty 29 gal aquarium. I have wondered if the flashing is
of significance with the koi. The koi actually came from the botanical
gardens, which has definitely had problems with their water parameters in
past months, hence them giving away fish to lessen the load. I had wondered
if this was somehow a reaction to being in better water, although as I said
it seemed fine for at least 5 days.

Any suggestions?
Thanxx
Bill Brister - Austin, Texas

Get the fish out of there ASAP. In the aquarium you can start treatments.
Bring the salt up to 0.3% and get someone to do a scrape and scope, look at
it gills, etc. How long had this fish been in the bio.garden pond? When did
they add their last new fish? ~ jan
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Zone 7a, SE Washington State