Koi Health

Even with your best efforts, your koi will at some time need treating for disease. But how are they best treated? And how can you prevent disease in the first place?

Can Koi be poisoned by alcohol?

Dear Ben,

I am a furious mother who stupidly trusted her 17 year old son to stay at home, and look after the house and koi while my husband and I went on holiday. We got back to find several cigarette ends in the koi pond, to . . . → Read More: Can Koi be poisoned by alcohol?

Gasping pond fish

Pond problem solver – gasping fish

All pond fish breathe by pumping water over their gills to extract oxygen, which is dissolved in the pond water. Fortunately, compared to other fish species, the carp family do not require an especially high level of dissolved oxygen (DO) which . . . → Read More: Gasping pond fish

Koi dies suddenly

Not a very pleasant headline, but all the same a very realistic issue that in the experiences of a pond owner or koi keeper, will at some stage, probably become a reality.

The background to such a fatality may be along the lines of the following. The . . . → Read More: Koi dies suddenly

Koi Herpes Virus (KHV). What is it?

The koi keeping hobby in the UK is served by a truly global industry. A combination of climatic, cultural and historical influences has lead to the vast majority of koi that are traded in the UK each year being produced and imported from abroad.

In fact, more . . . → Read More: Koi Herpes Virus (KHV). What is it?

Koi in mud ponds

I am about to start building my first ever koi pond but wanted to ask some advice first on which style to have.

My garden has a lot of clay in the soil and is very rich in minerals and nutrients (I’ve had it tested), so I . . . → Read More: Koi in mud ponds

Koi or gold fish has ulcers

Unfortunately, the numbers of koi suffering from ulcers has increased over recent years. The majority of koi keepers will have experienced this problem and had mixed results in successfully treating koi with ulcers. In many respects, an ulcer represents a real challenge to a koi keeper . . . → Read More: Koi or gold fish has ulcers

Koi pond aeration

Aeration … Oxygen is the essence of life and is required in abundance in a well stocked koi pond.

Oxygen quite readily dissolves passively diffusing from the atmosphere, but this limited amount is insufficient to satisfy the demands of koi and other oxygen-loving pond organisms such as . . . → Read More: Koi pond aeration

Koi pond fish stress

Fishkeeping should be available on prescription from the NHS. Scientifically proven to cause a drop in blood pressure and reduce heart rate, watching fish should be recommended to anyone who feels they need some stress relief.

Be it lounging by a pool, lapping up the gentle movements . . . → Read More: Koi pond fish stress

Koi pond oxygen

Koi breathe by pumping water over their gills to extract essential oxygen, which is invisibly dissolved in the pond water.

Fortunately, compared to other fish species, koi do not require an especially high level of dissolved oxygen (DO) which makes them relatively undemanding in this area. Even . . . → Read More: Koi pond oxygen

Koi pond quarantine. Should I quarantine my fish?

Q: I have inherited a Koi pond and I now want to buy some Koi of my own. What procedures do I have to follow when introducing these new residents? Should I quarantine them first? What is the best way to do this? What sort of . . . → Read More: Koi pond quarantine. Should I quarantine my fish?

Koi Stress. How to reduce it.

Fishkeeping should be available on prescription from the NHS. Scientifically proven to cause a drop in blood pressure and reduce heart rate, watching fish should be recommended to anyone who feels they need some stress relief.

Be it lounging by a pool, lapping up the gentle movements . . . → Read More: Koi Stress. How to reduce it.

Koi treatments pond medications

Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, man has been struggling with the problems of an imperfect world such as weeds, death and disease. This is very true for the koi keeper who over the years has been forced to experiment with . . . → Read More: Koi treatments pond medications

Koi ulcers

Unfortunately, the numbers of koi suffering from ulcers has increased over recent years. The majority of koi keepers will have experienced this problem and had mixed results in successfully treating koi with ulcers. In many respects, an ulcer represents a real challenge to a koi keeper . . . → Read More: Koi ulcers

My koi keep flicking flashing?

Ooh, down a bit, down a bit, a little to the right, a little more, just a bit harder, yes that’s just the spot! Why is it that when we’ve got an ‘itch’ we just can’t reach it and no matter how well you direct someone . . . → Read More: My koi keep flicking flashing?

My koi keep flicking or scratching.

Ooh, down a bit, down a bit, a little to the right, a little more, just a bit harder, yes that’s just the spot! Why is it that when we’ve got an ‘itch’ we just can’t reach it and no matter how well you direct someone . . . → Read More: My koi keep flicking or scratching.

Spring koi death

I cannot understand why I lose fish at Spring time. My pond is approximately 1,500-gallons and has a very good waterfall and a venturi which are both switched off during the winter. My filter is always working and consists of a 30W UVS. The water goes . . . → Read More: Spring koi death

Sudden koi death

Not a very pleasant headline, but all the same a very realistic issue that in the experiences of a pond owner or koi keeper, will at some stage, probably become a reality.

The background to such a fatality may be along the lines of the following. The . . . → Read More: Sudden koi death

Summer Koi Pond Care.

 

“Summer time, and the living is easy,

          Fish are jumping and the cotton is high…..”

This is what we’ve all been waiting for.  Preparing our koi pond through any winter worries, ensuring that the koi have come through their ‘rest period’ free from any health problems.  Spring . . . → Read More: Summer Koi Pond Care.

What has poisoned my koi?

Dear Ben

I have a great 2000 gallon pond and a mixture of koi and orfe in my pond. My filter system is quite a straight forward gravity fed filter, and I have three airstones plus a UV.

My pond is quite heavily shaded by tall trees, hence . . . → Read More: What has poisoned my koi?



Kill blanketweed and string algae.