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Thread: Help please
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05-08-2020, 11:22 PM #1
Help please
Hello all, I don't really get a chance to come on here as often as I like. Think last time was a similar request.
My koi are flashing and even starting to jump a little and all water parameters are good. I can only think it's parasite. I had an experienced chap from come and help with a scrape and scope last time.
I have ordered a scope but am definitely not so confident, if anyone is in the Plymouth, Devon area and willing to help would be great, or good instructional tips or a YouTube video for scraping would be great.
1) pH 7.5
nh³ 0
NO² 0
NO³ 0 (yes as I carry out water changes and also harvest rain water that is filtered and buffered straight in plus lots of plants)
KH 5
GH 7
2) 2000 gallon pond, with river flow from filter, eco premium 8000 pump, Evo aqua 25w UV, aquaforte drum, filtreau moving bed with 80 litres k1 micro
3) been an active pond for 2.5 years, very low stock
4)Been low stocked for 2 years and recently put in two fresh Tosai 2 weeks ago, also picked up 2 koi from a chap moving house down the road, I did the catch and removal and was a nightmare stirring up his dirty pond (where I think the critters have come from)
5) 12 koi ranging from 3" to 17" (majority sub 12")
2 sterlet 13"
4 Goldfish that have shown signs of something on their sides, whiteness but not cotton etc, assumed from flashing. Shall post a picture tomorrow.
6) ^
7) pH 7.5 KH 3 GH 2
8 ) I have noticed red blotches on white parts of the koi, suspected ammonia and possible over feeding to the bio not being up to speed, but have ruled it out from testing.
Thanks guys in advance and with the current situation of social distancing etc, I am hoping the help can be made ha ha.
Dan
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06-08-2020, 12:24 AM #2
Hi Dan
Newbie here that's just bought a microscope. I found this video very clear and informative when learning how to scrape:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBYFnFkT6JM&t=242s
I believe lots of people are having a tough time with their ponds this year. Good luck.
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06-08-2020, 08:13 AM #3
Thanks Lau, I've always looked at the scrape technique and microscope side of life and there's so many ways (more than two ways to skin a cat...). Like I said I have the scope coming so will just have to practice and share the scraps between the fish as to not stress just one, higher chance of finding a critter too.
I'll be focusing on the suspected koi first, then the ones that have flashed and shown symptoms the most.
Dan
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06-08-2020, 01:34 PM #4
Its just practice mate, i have been doing it myself only the past year and it is a bit daunting to begin with, i would recommend catching and sedating your fish which makes things so much easier to scrape for the fish and you...... be prepared with your slides and covers close to hand, don't wait too long before you view and do not flatten your scope slide with your cover too much as this can trap the parasite and stop it from moving around...... post your results on here good luck sooner the better cheers Steve.
2200 gallons,infinity window,
Evolve 4k combi,spindrifter,
2x20k pumps, BD,Skimmer,
Shower, ASHP
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06-08-2020, 03:55 PM #5
Hey Steve,
I'm awaiting the arrival of the scope and equipmeny and I'll be out there rain or shine getting a look in.
From the video above there is a follow on video and he only scrapes the fish about an inch up by the dorsal fin, I always thought the best areas were just behind gills/pectoral fins right down to caudal wrist and the area just below the dorsal fin (where he scrapes). This being that the different parasites like different spots, take gill flukes for instance.
If anyone could shed some light on that and maybe clarify, that would be great.
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06-08-2020, 07:23 PM #6
I heard that the belly is good too if you don't find anything behind the gills and along the side. I looked into gill flukes when I was trying to rule things out and read that parasites generally move a fair bit depending on things like temperature, and that this is what actually causes the fish to itch and then flash (and therefore not to worry about checking the actual gills to rule out gill flukes). So maybe it would be good to try different areas on the fish?
In my opinion it's actually easier on bigger fish and less worry of hurting them. I did make the mistake of pressing down too hard when I thought I didn't get any mucus and some of my poor goldfish's "gold" came off.
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08-08-2020, 09:09 PM #7
Ok so the scope arrived. I carried out two scrapes, first fish had one of these found at x100. Here is the second fish' scrape at x100 where a few are seen. Is this Trich?
Thanks guys,
Also on Thursday evening I had a pH crash and KH was massively low, pretty sure it was acid rain as my water butt tested 5.5/6 pH (lower end of test scale). KH has been restored but I have Nitrite present at 0.5ppm so thinking my filter has had a mini cycle.
DanTapatalk Cloud - Downlaoad File Parasite.mp4
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08-08-2020, 09:39 PM #8
That hosted video doesn't seem to load, hopefully my drive link works.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10lQ...w?usp=drivesdk
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08-08-2020, 09:49 PM #9
Ok so the scope arrived. I carried out two scrapes, first fish had one of these found at x100. Here is the second fish' scrape at x100 where a few are seen. Is this Trich?
It is not Trich. It looks more like Chilodonella .
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perks842 Thanked / Liked this Post
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08-08-2020, 10:03 PM #10
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08-08-2020, 10:13 PM #11
I am not used to seeing Chilodonella at x100 , more used to seeing them at x200 .
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08-08-2020, 10:31 PM #12
From the videos I've watched, they recommend x40 for flukes and large parasites and then x100 for Costia (being the smallest). I have ordered a camera for my scope to make it easier, going to deal with water balance first before treatment. I did look at this slide at x400 and thought it was a bit much.
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10-08-2020, 08:08 PM #13
So, yesterday I went straight to my LFS as needed a boost asap on the nitrite problem, I had been water changing all day in bulk and overnight on a drip feed to not shock on pH. But it just wasn't making a move on the nitrite which was strange.
I picked up FMG for the chilodonella and while I was there had a quick look around for something that could tackle nitrite, but I'm all too aware of the crap they try and sling. But I found something that worked wonders, it's 100% natural so I dosed with that and then carried out the FMG dosing alongside it.
Nitrite is now 0 as for all the others, just the odd flash from the treatment and residual stress now, hopefully I don't lose any. Here is a picture of the product, I will be getting another for the garage (for the just in case situation). I have also added evolution aqua filter balls to the moving bed, just to add the boost.
DanIMG_20200810_200107.jpg
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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