Metallic Koi Discolouration

[mark4785]

Hi,

I currently own a pond that holds 1398 litres and is home to 16 fish (as stated in my previous thread). The pond has been running for over 6 months now and during this time the water parameters have been mostly perfect. As we have entered the summer months certain fish have started to chase each other, possibly to mate. I have observed my green tench, around 6 inches, forcefully pushing my orange metallic koi (around 6-7 inches) which is causing him to lose balance and lose all interest in food. I inspected the koi closely and have noticed light patches (they look like a lighter orange colour) appearing above the gills and in other locations on the body. There is also a light patch with a black dot in the middle of it that i've witnessed just above the anal fin. The fish appears lifeless at the surface but swims as normal when being chased by the tench.

My guess is that the white patches are occurring where the tench is pushing the fish and it is causing a lot of agitation?

I have a silver ogon within the pond too, he appears to have very light red patches on his body, but he is eating and isn't being stressed by other pond mates. My guess is that the high temperature (24 degrees centigrade) coming with the sun light has caused that reaction? The other fish within the pond, that do not have a metallic display, do not have a discolouration.

I thought it would also be worth mentioning that my pond is being treated with 'sterazin anti-parasite' medicine. I am calculating the dosages very accurately so I doubt this is causing 'more' problems in terms of the health of my fish.

I'd appreciate any advice for what course of action I should take to help the Orange ogon.

Mark.

 

[mark4785]

I have taken a few photographs again and inserted them below:

White discolouration:

White discolouration zoomed in:

Green tench chasing metallic Koi:

Other fish seemingly fine:

 

[saph.st24]

that looks like a fungal infection possible Saprolegnia, its nearly alway a secondary problem usuall looks like whit or grey cotton wool but tinges green as algea becomes trapped.
meaning it has occurred because of some other initial damage. the cause may be bacterial, parasitic, water quality or the fish may have physically damaged it's skin or fins in some way
fungus will spread and invade healthy tissue treat with a anti-fugus,it is just as important to treat the underlying primary cause to prevent the fungus reappearing

what test kits do you use?

 

[mark4785]

I use the 'Pond Master Test Kit' by Interpet as well as a standalone kit to test for nitrite levels. Like I said, the water quality is fine and an independent aquatics assessed a sample of our water with their own testing kit and found no issues.

Sadly, the fish is currently dying now. There was no visible fungal infection just two days ago! I think the tench has been overly aggressive with the koi, either causing physical damage or mental stress. I'm definitely not going to be buying anymore young metallic koi.

 

[saph.st24]

hi
sorry to here that

is the interpet test kit tablets tablets or liquid?

as for the poor koi well the tench could have caused the damage and increased its stress levels that has caused the fungal infection to take hold

have a read of this
http/forum.koimag.co.uk/tm.asp?m=388899

 

[mark4785]

Thank you for the hyperlink. After reading that I feel I must invest in a totally different testing kit, preferably a liquid form. I do use the liquid API nitrite testing kit and the results are always in sync with the results I get from the Interpet nitrite testing kit. I will switch to a different testing kit based on what was said about the inaccuracy of interpet testing kits!

I have decided to stop treating my pond for any fungal/parasite problems; tomorrow I am going to buy a 'hospital tank' so that I can treat fish individually, and in some cases separate them from overly aggressive tank mates which seem to act as dangerous stressors towards the koi species. It's my understanding that medicines can sometimes adversely effect species like orfe and rudd so I think it's a much better option to treat poorly fish separately.

As usual, I have a few questions lol:

1. After treating fish in a 'hospital tank', which disinfectant should I use in the tank to eradicate all the pathogens, and to make the tank spotless so I can continue to use to house fish?

2. Will the disinfectant be able to cleanse the net used to capture the fish?

3. How would I go about cleaning an aeration pipe or water feature? I presume lot's of bacteria/parasites will thrive in it.

4. Other than anti-fungal medicines, are salt baths sufficient enough and if so should I perform this on the poorly fish?

Bye for now,

Mark.

 

[sakaspuds]

thats a scale pocket infection (bacterial) it is treatable with anti bacterial meds, as saph said the fungus is a secondary infection, you can buy a med that treats both, also thats a ginrin benigoi non metallic, hope you've caught it in time!

 

[saph.st24]

mark is that you



mark4785
theres pond disinfectants you can buy i personally wouldnt use in the pond but for the net and hospital tank it be ok

use pure salt ....you dont want the anti caking agent 535 in the salt
salt works helps fight off many protozoan parasites, it also helps stimulate the koi's metabolism ,also help support a fish suffering with stress


you could try a salt bath
3oz per uk gallon for 10 min
lots of air
make sure salt is fully dissolved
the koi may list slightly but this is ok it should right its self, stay with the fish as they can try and jump out
if the fish shows signs of stress remove and place back into the pond

 

[mark4785]

Again, thank you for the advice Saph, it is really appreciated.

I purchased the tank, basic aeration equipment, disinfectant (for cleaning nets etc) and smaller aquarium treatments today. The aquatic expert as told me to float the biological filter sponge provided, in the pond for a few weeks to introduce it to some beneficial bacteria. Hopefully treatment will prove more effective via the tank, but i'll remain very vigilant to ensure I don't induce further stress when transferring poorly ones from the pond!

 

[saph.st24]

hi mark
your welcome

what type of filter are you running because you could sit the filter media in there till needed in the hospital tank,
this means you can then leave the tank empty till required, when it is needed just fill the tank with pond water and transfer the filter media one up and running instant tank
(i did this when i built my goldie pond, i put the media in the koi filter for months, when i was ready for the water, i just took the water out of the koi pond transfered the media and put the fish in all in one day i have never had a problem)

plus did you aquatic man also tell you not to use activated carbon in the hospital tank filter as it removes medications from the water and also you'll need extra air for the tank as medications lower oxygen levels

 

[sakaspuds]

mark is that you

yep marc spudsy

 

[mark4785]

Hi,

Well my pond uses a quite standard blagdon filtration system. The aquatic expert did mention how I could put the aquarium biofoam in the blagdon filter while the medicine tank is not in use but I have chosen not to do so as it may cause a blockage.

The aquarium filter is named 'biofoam 45 - aquarium filter' manufactured by 'algarde aquatic products'. From what I can see it isn't referred to as a carbon remover.

The aquarium airpump by 'interpet' does have a feature named 'integral carbon impregnated filter, reducing air pollution in aquarium'. My guess is that this is a carbon remover in which case I need a more suitable pump that won't consume the medication?

 

[saph.st24]

hi marc small world lol

mark

that filter wont help you much as its not suitable as a koi filter you need a proper external filter at least what size is the tank ?
really you need something like thisto treat koi or large goldies,comets ect
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Quarantine-Tank-with...%3A1%7C294%3A50
do you know the name of the blagon

you may want to buy a heater as this may also come in handy for increasing the temps to help speed up treatment and recovery time

 

[mark4785]

The Filter system used for the pond is minipond 2000 by blagdon with fitted uv light.

The temporary hospital tank holds around 45 litres and I was told that it would be appropriate for homing 2 goldfish or 1 small koi for a temporary basis. What kind of heater will fit in a small tank? The height and width of tank is: 8 X 16 inch.

I was primarily wondering whether or not the following apparatus for the medical tank will cause the medication levels to be depleted:

1. The filter media is named: 'biofoam 45 - aquarium filter' manufactured by 'algarde aquatic products'. From what I can see it isn't referred to as a carbon remover.

2. The airpump is named 'Aquarium Air Pump - APMINI' by 'Interpet'. It has a feature within it descirbed as: 'integral carbon impregnated filter, reducing air pollution in aquarium', will this feature conflict with medication I put into the tank?

If any of the apparatus conflicts with remedies used for removing parasites/fungal or other infections, what do you suggest as an alternative product?

 

[saph.st24]

hi mark
your blagdon isnt suitable as a pond filter its for water falls and water gardens with no stocking level it may have been ok at the start when the koi where little
if i was you i would be thinking about getting a better filter now the koi and other fish are growing your just going to have more problems if you dont upgrade your filter soon

the biofoam 45 just isnt suitable as a koi filter so i could end up doing more harm the good you will need to do daily water changes and clean the filter in the tank water every other day if not daily
so a better filter is needed and extenal tank filter is needed really but i dont think they do them for smaller tanks so you could try a fluval canister filter as well as the biofoam
http/www.petcentreonline.co.uk/ecommerce...dproduct~47.htm

the air pump carbon will not bother the the meds as its not in direct contact with the water