Help with fish dying

[Steve4826]

Looking for some advice. Large established pond we inherited with house. Large 18 inch older koi has lived here since 1990s and we have a younger 4 inch koi here for three years. Large koi lethargic and not eating much for last month. Was at bottom mostly and listing to the side, then has been toward to top while head slightly down and tail up. Have tested water and have good ammonia nitrates nitrites and ph.

Have added melafix in case it's a parasite and also some salt. Large waterfall and large filters so I believe oxygen is good. Today smaller fish has died. Any ideas? ??

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Do you have the numeric readings of the tests results?
Size of pond (gallons)?
Number of fish?
Can you post any photos of the fish?

 

[IPA]

Sorry to hear about your fish. I don't know enough to even try to make a guess at the problem. Try searching through the following sub-forum on illness and disease and the Internet for similar symptoms. Could the pond have been contaminated with something that is poisoning them?

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/forums/illness-and-disease.22/

 

[budgenator]

Sounds like a swim bladder problem, which can have multiple causes, you might get lucky and they are just constipated, feed them sweetpeas without the "skins" which usually reduces constipation, and follow Dr. Johnson's advice.

 

[j.w]

Sorry to

you under such sad conditions @Steve4826 and hope the situation gets better for you fish.

 

[Gemma]

Sorry you lost a fish! I hope the other one recovers!

 

[Mmathis]

Sorry to hear....

Can you give us some more information about your pond? How big is it? Filtration? And have you tested your water -- what are the results?

 

[Faebinder]

Don't add salt to the pond, that will kill the plants and destabilize ammonia.

We do need more details about the size of the pond, temperature of the water, numeric ammonia levels, nitrites and nitrates levels. Did you add a new fish?

 

[Steve4826]

Do you have the numeric readings of the tests results?
Size of pond (gallons)?
Number of fish?
Can you post any photos of the fish?

I believe the oind is about 2500 gal and it's just those two fish. Am attaching photos. The small fish is actually still alive but in his side and mouth is moving. The larger is swimming around today. Here are my test results from an ALI pondmaster kit with rest tubes: ph 6, hardness 75 ppm, nitrites 0, ammonia .25 ppm, phosphates .5 ppm, alkalinity 80. Temp is 60 for water and 55 outside

 

[Steve4826]

Do you have the numeric readings of the tests results?
Size of pond (gallons)?
Number of fish?
Can you post any photos of the fish?

Not sure if my reply just went to you but can you post for others of it did not?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Please retest pH. 6.0 is too low for Goldfish and Koi.

 

[Steve4826]

Please retest pH. 6.0 is too low for Goldfish and Koi.

I'll test again but I did it twice - if it is that low what should I do get some of that pH up product?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) will fulfill your requirements. I would start by adding 8 ounces of Baking Soda and retesting. If your gallonage is correct the the pH should have risen to 6.4. Repeat this dosage daily until you achieve a pH level of 7.4 - 7.6.
Do Noi overapply. An large abrupt change in pH can be fatal to your fish.

 

[Steve4826]

Tested again and was 6.0 and then added the baking soda. Will keep an eye on it thanks!

 

[Mmathis]

Do you have a high range/low range test for pH? If you have 2 separate test bottles, repeat the test using the other bottle.