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#1
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Koi behaviour change
Hi, folks.
I'm posting this on behalf of a close neighbour, who's noticed a behaviour change in his Koi. I know a little about tropical aquaria, but nothing about ponds and Koi, so wysiwyg (if you need extra info, you'll need to ask: I'm going to write all Iknow about the problem). The pond is 3' deep with a right-angle triangle top-down profile - the hypotenuse (long side) is 3'. It contains four Koi of varying sizes, and four large goldfish (although they are only slightly bigger than the smallest koi). It has an infra-red and biological filter. There is no aeration from bubbles, that is done by the agitation of the surface at the filter return. The behaviour change is that the koi (only) have suddenly started resting on a ledge at the surface, whereas before they would be swimming at the bottom. The goldfish are still swimming about the bottom. Their response to human approach is lethargic - and one was seen today hanging nose down at the surface. There are no obvious marks or cysts, all the scales are flat, eyes clear. They don't seem to be gasping. They haven't been feeding for a few weeks - the owner is worried that they might not have built up a reserve to let them overwinter. He needs to stop feeding them very soon. For this reason a quick response would be appreciated The only noticeable change is some lichen-like blooms on the inside surface of the pond. Sorry if this isn't enough info for a full diagnosis. I'm going to copy this to the owner and he'll add anything that might be relevant or correct anything I've got wrong. In the meantime if anyone takes a potshot at answering this and needs us to go look for something specific, let me know. He's just up the road and even if I can't get a response, I can get in his garden and look for myself. Thanks for looking... G |
#2
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Koi behaviour change
"Gorf" wrote in message oups.com... Hi, folks. I'm posting this on behalf of a close neighbour, who's noticed a behaviour change in his Koi. I know a little about tropical aquaria, but nothing about ponds and Koi, so wysiwyg (if you need extra info, you'll need to ask: I'm going to write all Iknow about the problem). ============= If it's already cold where you are they may have started their winter hibernation already. When the water cools to a certain temperature they lose interest in food and become inactive. Can that be the problem? Other than that it could be anything from parasites to poor water quality to a predator terrorizing them where no one is around. My fish sometimes hid with little moving around for days after a heron attack (ponds are netted now). -- Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995... My Pond & Aquarium Pages: http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy ~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o |
#3
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Koi behaviour change
"Gorf" wrote in message
oups.com... Hi, folks. I'm posting this on behalf of a close neighbour, who's noticed a behaviour change in his Koi. I know a little about tropical aquaria, but nothing about ponds and Koi, so wysiwyg (if you need extra info, you'll need to ask: I'm going to write all Iknow about the problem). The pond is 3' deep with a right-angle triangle top-down profile - the hypotenuse (long side) is 3'. It contains four Koi of varying sizes, and four large goldfish (although they are only slightly bigger than the smallest koi). It has an infra-red and biological filter. There is no aeration from bubbles, that is done by the agitation of the surface at the filter return. The behaviour change is that the koi (only) have suddenly started resting on a ledge at the surface, whereas before they would be swimming at the bottom. The goldfish are still swimming about the bottom. Their response to human approach is lethargic - and one was seen today hanging nose down at the surface. There are no obvious marks or cysts, all the scales are flat, eyes clear. They don't seem to be gasping. They haven't been feeding for a few weeks - the owner is worried that they might not have built up a reserve to let them overwinter. He needs to stop feeding them very soon. For this reason a quick response would be appreciated The only noticeable change is some lichen-like blooms on the inside surface of the pond. Sorry if this isn't enough info for a full diagnosis. I'm going to copy this to the owner and he'll add anything that might be relevant or correct anything I've got wrong. In the meantime if anyone takes a potshot at answering this and needs us to go look for something specific, let me know. He's just up the road and even if I can't get a response, I can get in his garden and look for myself. Thanks for looking... G Sounds like a water quality problem. Has you neighbor tested the water? That's a very small pond for that many large fish. Think about your tropical fish tanks, the same principles apply. Overstocking = major problem. Can't hurt to suggest a partial water change - see if that helps. Then suggest he do something about the overstocking. Either give away some fish or build a bigger pond, fast! The usual recommendation is 1,000 gallons for the first koi; 200 gallons thereafter. Gail |
#4
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Koi behaviour change
sounds like aeration is bad. how warm is the water? have there been fast drops in
temp? then look for ich. either there isnt enough air OR something has infected the gills OR something has burned the gills. Check water parameters including ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH and temperature. Ingrid "Gorf" wrote: no aeration from bubbles, that is done by the agitation of the surface at the filter return. The behaviour change is that the koi (only) have suddenly started resting on a ledge at the surface, whereas before they would be swimming at the bottom. The goldfish are still swimming about the bottom. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List at http://weloveteaching.com/puregold/ sign up: http://list.lovemyoldhome.com/web/wa.cgi?REPORT&z=3 www.drsolo.com Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the recommendations I make. AND I DID NOT AUTHORIZE ADS AT THE OLD PUREGOLD SITE |
#5
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Koi behaviour change
Thanks, Koi-lo, Gail & Ingrid.
I've passed on your responses and I'll let you know how he gets on. To be honest, I thought the aeration was inadequate, but he's had the fish since I've lived here (4 years) and they haven't changed much in size. He's assured me it's OK, and their change is sudden, not steady. I've made him go and buy a water testing kit, and I'll get him to look for some of the possibilities mentioned. Watch this space... Gareth |
#6
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Koi behaviour change
"Gorf" wrote in message oups.com... Thanks, Koi-lo, Gail & Ingrid. I've passed on your responses and I'll let you know how he gets on. To be honest, I thought the aeration was inadequate, but he's had the fish since I've lived here (4 years) and they haven't changed much in size. He's assured me it's OK, and their change is sudden, not steady. I've made him go and buy a water testing kit, and I'll get him to look for some of the possibilities mentioned. ================================ I'd be interested to know what happens with his fish. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. :-) -- Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995... My Pond & Aquarium Pages: http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy ~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o |
#7
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Koi behaviour change
I've passed on your responses and I'll let you know how he gets on.
I've made him go and buy a water testing kit, and I'll get him to look for some of the possibilities mentioned. Gareth Excellent suggestion (test kits) for starters. Pass this on also: Sick Fish/Pond Form Please describe your problem, including fish characteristics, like; whirling, flashing, gasping at surface, wounds, etc.: Pond Size in Gallons? (litres*.26=US Gallons): Water Source (Well, Irrigation, City?) If City how is water treated?: = Time in Operation? (How old is the pond/water?): Liner type? (EPDM,PVC,RUBBER,Cement/Concrete etc): Fish Population? Type? Size? QTY, Time in Pond: Food? Type and Frequency of feedings.: Pump Type, IN/OUT of pond, GPH etc (Describe your filtration system as well as possible): Prefilter media type? Last cleaned?: Filter is BIO or Mechanical? Last cleaned? How?: Carbon added? How much? When last changed?: Aeration? Waterfalls? Bubblers? Venturies?: Water Temp? pH?: KH?: Ammonia (ppm or mg/l): Nitrite (ppm or mg/l): Nitrate (ppm or mg/l): Water Color, cloudiness, odor?: Water changes? (% of pond volume and how often): Additives used (water conditioners etc): Tests done by self or another?: Weather (what's it been like lately?): Medications used?: What Zone or Country of residence?: ~ jan --------------------- See my ponds and filter design: www.jjspond.us ~Keep 'em Wet!~ Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a To e-mail see website ~ jan/WA Zone 7a |
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