While in college, I spent a lot of time studying microbiology, and pharmacology in pre-med and then got a Vet. Tech. Degree. I have been into koi and ponds for 30 years. Every fish that comes in gets two series of injections, which include 3 different antibiotics. We also do a salt treatment to kill ick. Our koi are treated for many types of parasites. Then are placed with plants, since most Japanese koi are grown in greenhouses. After the fish are totally healthy, they are then put up for sale. This process takes 3 months. My fish are of higher quality. If properly cared for, they will live up to 70 years. I have fish that are 40 years of age and look great.
So your pond is finished, and you want to fill it with fish. Great! The biggest mistake you can make is to start with cheap goldfish to see if they will make it. Feeder (cheap) gold fish have not been treated. They are the worst at carrying bad bacteria and Parasites (flukes, fish lice, and anchor worm). They are usually shipped in a bag of 500 or more fish at one time. Usually the cheapest way to ship feeder fish is by 5 day ground shipment. That process will multiply bad bacteria by the millions within 5 days in the summer. When you introduce feeder goldfish to your pond you will have introduced a large quantity of bad bacteria into your pond and then will have to treat the whole pond to get rid of these bacteria. If you don’t treat the pond, you will have a continual pattern of sick and dying fish.
Most pet stores lack the knowledge on how to treat sick fish and don’t have any desire to treat fish. It costs money and cuts into their profit. Often their philosophy is; if the fish dies, the customer will come back and buy another fish. This strategy helps their sales. Also, pet stores will claim that you probably did something wrong when you actually bought sick fish to start with. Our fish are probably over treated because I want them to live a long and happy life.
Signs to look for with sick fish.
1. Are they flashing? This is when they rub up against something. Usually several times. They can rub themselves raw.
2. Or are they jumping out of the water?
3. Are your fish dying once a week.
4. Are their eyes sunken in?
5. Are their bodies bloated?
6. Are their eyes bugged out?
7. Do they have white spots?
8. Are their fins or mouths partially gone (Mouth Rot).
9. When you look at pet store aquariums are their little white things swimming around them?
10. Are the sores from the fish mainly on the sides of their bodies or other parts of their bodies?
The best thing you can do for your fish is give them good
filtration. With out it your fish will get sick in a matter of time.
Most waterfall and skimmer boxes work great for a year or two.
However you may notice a decline in your fishes health. Sores will
develop from bacteria called aeromonias. Bacteria builds up on the
bottoms of ponds in gravel and rock as matter decays. Koi need filtration.
They need something to rid the pond of fecal material, leaves, rock and
plant life that decays. Ask us about filtration. WE will help you.
There are several kinds out there, from cheap do it your self horse trough
kinds to bubble bead filters for those who don’t want to get dirty cleaning
out filter media.
Another health tip! Remember ! The plants you bring in each year need to be treated with formaldehyde for at least 5 hours and not more than 24 hours before putting in the pond. They also transfer bacteria and a lot of parasites.
If you have questions on pond construction or filtration, Call us and we’ll help you. If you buy your fish from us, you can call me 24 hrs a day for advice and help. Remember it costs about the same to feed a cheap fish as it does a better quality fish. Why not buy a fewer better quality fish each year. Compare that to a bunch of ugly fish that you continually have to purchase. You will have a gorgeous pond full of gorgeous fish in the long run