On Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:11:11 CST, "Carole"
wrote:

Big problem - In the last week I've found 3 of the larger goldfish just
floating dead in the water. They have no signs of any disease and look
perfectly OK otherwise, just dead. This is very distressing as I'm
spending every
moment checking the pond and expecting all my little friends to die. I put
some medifin in the pond a couple of days ago (I treat it twice a year
normally - Spring and Autumn), but I've had another death since then.

I converted a hot tub to goldfish pond this year and had a similar
experience. I did notice as I was inspecting the dead fish the gills
were dull red/purple and thought perhaps it was parasites. I used
Anchors Away (dimlin) and in a few days the fish began moving around
more and I haven't lost another fish since. I'm not good at figuring
out what makes them die, goldfish just die, but this is not the first
time I've improved the goldfish's life with parasite treatment.

Another factor in my guessing parasites is that I can't keep birds out
of the pond. (Not predators, just songbirds.) They aren't satisfied
to drink and leave they have to bathe, drop and invite all their
friends to share the water they just crapped in.

The only thing that's changed recently (don't know if it could possibly be
the reason) - I recently netted the pond because we were visited by a heron,
then I realised that the frogs and newts couldn't get in and out so I put a
length of wood into the water from the side. The wood is sapele (sp?) and
is definitely untreated, but I know some hardwoods have funny substances in
them - do you think this might have poisoned the water ??

I'm not familiar with the type wood you are using, but I doubt it has
any noticeable effect on the fish. Some purists make strong claims
about everything from treated wood to roofing liner and I've yet seen
the proof of such claims in my pond. I use pressure treated wood in
my filters as frames and some of it has been in place so long I'll
soon have to replace it. I'd look for parasites or disease as the
reason for the fish dying. I'll bet you don't have a microscope to
view scrapings either, so I'd make the best guess and press on like
most of us do.

Regards,

Hal