Its happening again

[bighollywood]

Its spring again and as i had feared...2 of my butterfly koi seem to habe tattered fins and what appears to be the beginning of a fungas type situation going on. Any suggestions? Ill try to get some pics tomorrow...

 

[Dave 54]

Could you please post a couple of close up photo's of the damage and fungal growth of your koi please

Dave 54

 

[bighollywood]

Ok here are the water test results..

Hardness 80
Alk 120
Ph 7
Nitrite 3
Amonia 1
Nitrate80
Pics to follow

 

[bighollywood]

Here are a few pics

 

[Lisak1]

Well I know very little about pond chemistry, but I do know your ammonia should be zero. I think that reading is cause of alarm.

How many fish do you have? What size pond? What kind of filtration? Do you run your filtration all year or shut down for winter?

 

[bighollywood]

Bout 3000 gallons... over stocked of course...lol. 55 gallon drum filter with lava rock, filter pads, polyfill, and brushes. I have 2 uv sterilizers. Filter runs all winter. Maybe the beneficial bacteria hasnt grown enough to match the bio load... if so what do i need to do each sprig to stop this from happening

 

[mrsclem]

I would say first thing is decrease fish load! Spring is the worst time of year for ponds. Fish immunity is down, beneficial bacteria is low so if there is an issue with water quality, bad things happen. Been there, done that! Not sure what your water temp is now but I would start with doing some water changes using dechlor if necessary.

 

[bighollywood]

Should i add a bottle of beneficial bacteria starter to the pond? And why is it always rhe bitterflies? I lost all my butterflies last year.

 

[Lisak1]

Well, overstocking isn't funny if your fish suffer, but I don't think I need to tell you that.

What do you need to do? Well, fix the overstocking problem for one. Add more filtration. Your pond needs to be able to maintain balance year round or you will face this every year. And eventually your fish will die, as the amount of waste they excrete will only continue to grow.

 

[mrsclem]

Most people on this forum say that bottled bacteria is snake oil. Stick with water changes, make sure you dot have a buildup of leaves in the pond and keep testing your water. Ammonia and nitrates should be zero

 

[bettasngoldfish]

Should i add a bottle of beneficial bacteria starter to the pond? And why is it always rhe bitterflies? I lost all my butterflies last year.

If you don't already have it get yourself a bottle of Prime. It will make tap water safe when doing water changes as well as make ammonia and nitrite safe during this time when your filter is getting back up to speed.

If your feeding right now I would stop until you get the water quality up to par.

I don't have koi but I think I remember reading that butterflies are not as hardy.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Lisak1]

but I think I remember reading that butterflies are not as hardy.

I think that's an old myth. Some things I've read say the are actually hardier. I honestly think they are all just koi.

 

[mrsclem]

Your 55 gallon filter is probably not enough for the size pond and fish load you have. You can link several 55 gallon barrels together to increase filtaration. I have a 3 barrel plus Savio waterfall filter on one pond and 2 150 gallon stock tanks on the other. Both ponds are 4500 gallons+ with 3-7 adult koi. Filters get cleaned every 2-3 weeks.

 

[RobAmy]

Your 55 gallon filter is probably not enough for the size pond and fish load you have. You can link several 55 gallon barrels together to increase filtaration. I have a 3 barrel plus Savio waterfall filter on one pond and 2 150 gallon stock tanks on the other. Both ponds are 4500 gallons+ with 3-7 adult koi. Filters get cleaned every 2-3 weeks.

I completely agree with this thought. I also have 3 Savio bio filters and 1 Savio waterfall bio filter also. I have around 3500 gallons. I have a large fish load also. I turn over approximately 7000 gph thru the filters. Also aeration running. I have Butterfly Koi and Goldfish mixed.

 

[bettasngoldfish]

I think that's an old myth. Some things I've read say the are actually hardier. I honestly think they are all just koi.

Okay, good to know. Just thought I would mention it as I remember reading about them.

The only thing I can think of is that they are more delicate as far as the long fins go. If they are like most other fish with long flowing fins they can be more difficult to keep (as far as their fins go) you will see more split or tattered fins in long tails than in shorter tails. This can be due to poor water conditions or other fish nipping them. I know I have seen it in some of my longer tailed fancy goldfish as well as some of my bettas with long flowing tails.