Biological filtration for koi ponds, fish ponds and aquaria- why do we use filters? Let’s be clear from the start (excuse the pun), the primary reason for having a biological filtration system is not to provide clear water – although that might be a beneficial side effect. The purpose of using a filter is to improve ..
Case details (May 2000) Small well-planted goldfish pond with about 20 goldfish. The client said that she had lost 6-8 fish over the last 14 days. No unusual behaviour. Fish examination The fish had large areas of skin erosion, including substantial erosion of the dorsal fin. The fin rays were intact, leaving just a row ..
Case details 6th April 2000: Client phoned to say that one koi was laying on the bottom, not eating and was generally lethargic. The fish had been like this for several weeks but kept rallying around – could I tell him what the problem was? Lacking the confidence of many in the aquatic trade I said no – ..
Case details 2nd April 2000: The client phoned to say that over the last few weeks he had lost 9 koi. The fish that were left looked unhappy and one had a “lump” on its side. (I think you will agree it wasn’t a lot to go on! Yet plenty of people would have been ..
Fish disease treatments are often the main threat Often the biggest threat to koi health are fish disease treatments! How do most disease treatments work? Should you treat the pond or the fish? Whatever you do take precautions. Pond “medications”? There are several considerations when using a pond ‘medication’ but undoubtedly the most basic is ..
Koi parasites and fungus These are two problems that regularly affect koi health, Both can be dealt with fairly simply when they are at an early stage. Fungus, if allowed to spread, will quickly overwhelm fish. Large numbers of parasites can cause physical damage to both skin and gills and are often the precursor to ..
Gills are vital to the health of koi Fish gills are extremely susceptible to physical damage, parasite infections and bacterial infections. Unless caught early, gill disease is very difficult to resolve. An understanding of the structure and function of the gill is helpful if we are to appreciate both the importance of gills and their ..
Koi bacterial disease A serous threat that requires prompt action Bacterial disease, ulcers, fin-rot and stress Two things are important to minimize the likelihood of serious bacterial infections such as ulcers affecting our koi. Firstly, early diagnosis and treatment is vital to limit the spread and severity of infection, both in individual fish and throughout ..
Looking for reasons to die? Koi do not spend their entire lives looking for reasons to die -in fact, it is quite difficult to kill them. The fact that health problems, disease and fatalities are so common in the hobby just confirms, in my opinion, that many common notions and practices – despite their failure ..
Koi are ammonia factories Although koi are easily the most attractive and endearing of fish, when it comes to hygiene they are not quite so appealing! In fact they are incredibly mucky, often called ‘water pigs’. Their size and insatiable appetite, together with the typical stocking levels of most ponds, means that copious amounts of ..
