Friday…..

Yeah I dont like this day much. After thinking things were improving, I actually don’t think they are. I can’t understand why the fish is still flicking. Water changes are every day, all water tests show nothing! But today he’s managed to pull off two big scales and he looks bad. I’m cleaning the qt out hoping it will run just under where the crack is. And if he’s still like this tomorrow, I think the best thing would be to put him in there on his own for a bit and add salt. At least it might ease his stress and help his wounds heal. He is still eating, but when I fed them today he started flicking right away and then decided to try and launch himself out the water. Something in there he just really doesn’t like. And I can’t work out what it is.

I just don’t know what else to do. If my pond expert says there are no parasites in there, then what has happened to make this one fish go bonkers?

Lost soul at the moment.

Dawn

So,

Did a good clean yesterday and topped up the pond, prob about 15% fresh water, because of the leak. Added a litre and a half of Sansai and added a double dose to their food. Uv off for 24 hours. The Big male, is interested in food, and seems to be swimming better. He does still sit on the shelf clamp finned now and then, (last night) but this morning… very interested in food. His redness has gone down and he ate as well. I think things are improving. Just wish I could get to the bottom of his flicking. ( I can only put it down to the change in ph) he must not like it at all in the evening. So first job tomorrow when I get paid is some new gh test kits and to check to see if I need to buffer the water anymore. Ours has been known to drop from 10 -4 so we’ll see.

Keep you posted as he settles in more. As for the pregnant female. Shes getting chased something wicked by the big male and two of our other males… Think shell be exhausted after spawning. Poor thing.

Dawn

So our pond guy has been out today and done a scrape. He pulled out the new female koi and a few of our own fish. He found nothing. Not a parasite in sight.

So…. I think that maybe our own fish had an adverse reaction to the treatment put in the pond while we were away. The fact that the filter wasn’t running properly for two weeks, due to low water levels.

So they were put in a treated unclean pond. Would you like it? Nope. So fingers crossed now that everything has settled with the water etc, that the fish will all calm down. Things improved with the sansai, so I think I will continue down that road. At least it will help with the red skin. 

So with the ph swinging from 7.5 to 8 and a slight ammonia high with feeding. I think this has caused the bulk of the problems.

Will try and get everything back to tip top condition.

Keep you updated.

Dawn

Hey there, female fish is better settled eating well, the male however isn’t at all happy. Hoping my pond guy comes soon to do a scrap.

Tested the water, ammonia is slightly raised, I would say two of my koi are pretty upset with what ever is in there. My hi shusui and the new big boy. He’s been clamp finned at the bottom a couple of times today.

Keep me in your thoughts please.

Dawn

Killing a sick fish, humanly. (sp)

I have looked over the internet and there is a lot of nasty stuff out there! Put it in the freezer! give it vodka….

I think the best sounds like Clove oil. Although some say hitting it over the head, or using a knife is quicker.

I took my old poor shabumkin out the pond. He’s been sick for around a month now. Just stopped eating at first. I put him in qt with his mate and salted it, (qt got a bad leak) so they both went back in the main pond. He did seem to pick up, he wants to eat. But can’t. The other fish are picking on him something wicked, so after he’d been chased around all the time I was watching this morning. I thought best to catch him again.

Looking at him properly now, he’s lost most of his tale. There is a nasty wound which is infected and has fungus on it. Underneath him is the worst though, looks like he’s been eaten alive.

I think the best thing is to stop his suffering. Although I’m not sure I could do it. Have to ask the other half when he gets home.

Does having one really sick fish in the pond affect the others? I guess I’ll know soon enough if there is a bug in there. I just wonder though if it is down to water quality as it slipped while we’ve been away for a couple of weekends.

I just feel really sad and upset at the moment. We’ve had the shabumkins ten years. He’s survived living in a 50g pond for 7 and then he moved to a 5k g I just hope he’s had a happy life 

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I am sad to say the fish is dead. It was almost dead when Paul came home at dinner. 

Hope the pond guy comes soon. need to know what if anything I am fighting. Noticed some fin rot on my shusui today  although the water quality is improving, ie blanket weed and fungal growing on the other fish.

Just pray that it all works out.

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This little fighter was a true fighter. He my other shabumkin, my pirrachini, my ghosty, grass carp and butterfly carp all survived the monster freeze in 2005 where the waterfall became a frozen fountain. Leaving all fish in a 2 inch supply of water. Paul chucked in fresh water, and everything was okay. I am surprised none of them died. But they lived. The other shabumkin doesn’t look too happy his mate isn’t there. he’s now swimming on his own. Other fish, some still flicking, but the pond is topped up and almost full now. New fish don’t surface anymore for extra air, but they still flick now and then.

Just sad that this little one didn’t live. Time for a brandy, take away and to chill out. Been a long and hard day.

Dawn