A Distressing Condition Fish gills are susceptible to parasite, bacterial and fungal diseases. Another common condition is hyperplasia, which if not resolved is often fatal. Gill problems are a major cause of fish losses, particularly, it seems, koi. It is a distressing condition to deal with, both for the fish and owner, as too often ..
Koi pond filtration and fish health? A biological filter extends the capabilities of what is an unnatural and otherwise inadequate system by continuously treating the water and removing some toxic compounds – ammonia and nitrite being the most common. However, as we all know, there are many different types of filter, some more efficient and ..
Water temperatures and fish health Fish are ectotherms or poikilotherms. These are both terms that describe animals that have a body temperature that is dependent on the environmental temperature. Such animals are commonly, but incorrectly, called ‘cold-blooded’. Because of this dependence, environmental temperatures have a profound effect on many aspects of aquatic health. Every species ..
Nitrite, water quality and fish health Nitrite (NO2–) is formed when Nitrosomonas sp. bacteria oxidise ammonia produced by fish and decomposing organic matter. Although it is less toxic than ammonia, elevated levels still present a threat to fish health. Prolonged exposure to low levels can lead to stress and is often associated with stress-related disease such as ..
Water has many unusual properties that make it unlike any other liquid, some of which make it an ideal substance for aquatic habitats. Water molecule. One oxygen atom joined to two hydrogen atoms – the famous H2O It takes a lot of energy to bring about a change in water temperature. On a hot day ..
Prevention is better and cheaper than cure! Fish disease can be both highly distressing, and in many cases, costly both in treatment and replacement costs. A key aim is encourage prevention via regular water testing and husbandry. This is particularly important with koi ponds and their often-high stocking levels and reliance on biological filtration for ..
Understanding that fish are ‘open systems’ and intimately involved with their environment is fundamental to understanding why water quality is so important for fish health. It is largely accepted in the hobby of koi and other types of fish-keeping that the majority of health problems relate, directly or indirectly, to water quality but it is ..
Water hardness is, from a fish’s viewpoint, one of the most important aspects of water quality as it affects so many areas of fish health. Despite this importance to both fish health and water quality, it is often a poorly understood subject. Indeed, many fish keepers never check water hardness. This seems particularly true of ..
The final cocktail The final cocktail we call “water” is complex and, as we have seen, varies with atmospheric and local land conditions. In general, water from our tap will contain: major ions such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulphates, chlorides and hydrogen carbonate. These are usually present in quantities of at least 1 mg/l. All ..
Rain and Water Quality Pure natural water is formed mainly by evaporation from seas and lakes. As warm water vapour rises it meets cooler air and condenses into water droplets (just like hot water vapour rising from a bath and condensing into droplets on the cool bathroom walls). The water droplets begin to dissolve a ..
