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Thread: Odd Behaviour
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12-04-2021, 02:28 PM #1
Odd Behaviour
Hi all,
looking for advice on a couple of separate issues that may, or may not be connected?
Bit of setup background:
I have an unheated 8000 litre pond that’s circa 4ft deep and I’m running two separate bio filters on it with air being pumped in also. The pond is 3 years old so reasonably mature.
I have 13 Koi of differing sizes but none over 14 inches.
My issues are:
With the consistent cold I’ve not seen the water temp push beyond 6c since late last year other than the recent warm blip we had.
At that point I started to feed some small amounts of wheatgerm pellets as I felt it might perk them up as the fish were very lethargic staying on the bottom. For a number of days some 2 or 3 have been laying static on their side (thought they were dead initially) and have been doing that most days with the odd period of activity here and there.
However since the temp has dropped again I didn’t feel it was right to continue feeding as I was concerned it would do more harm than good.
is the rule of not feeding below 8c a hard and fast rule that most stick too?
Is the laying on the side thing anything others have seen and is it ok when temps are low?
My second issue is I see the odd fish flashing and then at lunchtime I’ve noticed 2 or 3 become very erratic like they were having a fit and trying to leave the water.
I’ve checked my ammonia and that’s all good at sub 0.25 so I’m wondering with the emergence of the sun today whether I’m seeing a ph fluctuation. Is that what would cause such behaviour? If so do I need to do something to stabilise?
Any help or advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Craig
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12-04-2021, 04:42 PM #2
Don't think the sun will have affected the Ph. Probably best to test all the parameters that you can.
The flashing could be due to water problems or equally and probably more likely, parasites. I went through it last year with my fish. Started with flashing, which turned out to be the start of an invasion of just about every parasite known.
Get some scrapes done as soon as possible, if you can. You'll then hopefully know what you're dealing with.
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Ajm, Gixercraig Thanked / Liked this Post
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12-04-2021, 08:43 PM #3
Agree with gmac, check all parameters, if you're worried about PH fluctuations check the PH in the morning then again in the evening. If all parameters are well take scrapes. Are there any visible signs of infection on the Koi? The cold water can cause swim bladder problems especially if there is a sudden drop after a warmer spell, that may be why they are laying on their sides. However first stop is parameters then scrapes.
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Gixercraig Thanked / Liked this Post
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12-04-2021, 08:58 PM #4
I also have a fish that lays on here side in cold temps. It used to really freak me out (my heart still sinks when I see her laying on the bottom) but is definitely caused by temperature fluctuations. I have moved her to the quarantine tank (heated) until things are a bit more stable and she's absolutely fine in there. Still not sure if it was the right thing to do as she is 75cm in 1000 litre tank but couldn't sit on my hands any longer. Will be heating next year!
I also have fluctuating PH. 8.4 in the morning and up to 8.7 by the evening. I put this down to photosynthesis using all the co2 during the day?
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twokoi, Gixercraig Thanked / Liked this Post
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12-04-2021, 09:33 PM #5
There used to be a place near me that sold koi from ponds located in a green house. One Easter I had gone in for a look and some of the fish were laying on their sides, next to the pond was a notice saying that this was caused by swim bladder problems due to changing temperatures. I guess the temps were shooting up in the day with the sun shining through the glass then falling at night (presume they were unheated). As Letimgo has said the photosynthesis action can cause the PH to fluctuate even in a pond with no visible algae, I used to have a problem with this until I shaded the Pond. When the days started to lengthen I found that the PH never dropped quite as much overnight as it had risen in the day and due to this would see a gradual rise in PH getting up to 9 in early summer. 0.3 movement in PH is nothing to worry about, but it does illustrate the point.
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18-04-2021, 08:06 AM #6
I am waiting for one of those IBC 1000l tanks to be made available, then I can cut a large hole in the top and use it as a hospital tank. Someone muted the idea of salt addition, does this help or is this individual doomed to spend most of his time sinking to the bottom, where he just lays on his side.
The Daily pond temp thread
Pond still covered, currently 11.6C Been really mild this year as far as pond temps go. ...