Results 1 to 18 of 18
Thread: pink dorsal fin
-
26-11-2022, 12:47 PM #1
pink dorsal fin
Hello,
This morning I noticed that one of my koi had a pink sore looking dorsal fin (I've tried to attach an image). Is this anything to be concerned about? If so what is the best way to deal with it?
IMG_9269.pdf
I've had the fish for 22+ years and haven't had any problems so I haven't got a water test kit, however, this is a new pond, about 2 months old, with a relatively new pressure filter that I'm guessing hasn't matured.
The fish have been moved to new ponds and new filters many times over the years with no problem.
The pond is approximately 2200-2500 litres with 5 koi that are all approx 15-18 inches.
I'd appreciate any help, thanks
Brodi
-
26-11-2022, 02:55 PM #2
The fact that you have a new biofilter strongly suggests that this could be a result of poor water parameters but, for us to give a diagnosis or cause, we need parameter values. So could you buy a test kit (not test strips) and post the values of pH, KH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate plus the water temperature? Otherwise, any advice would be just guesswork.
-
Ajm, Brodi barber Thanked / Liked this Post
-
27-11-2022, 01:22 PM #3
Hi sorry for the late response. There has been no change in the koi's condition since yesterday.
I managed to get my water tested, everything was in the normal range except from ammonia which was a little higher but no where near toxic amounts, a guy from a fish shop advised that it was probably ammonia burn.
The ammonia reading was in-between the two colours in the image attached. IMG_CD5A44077881-1.jpg
Any thoughts?
-
28-11-2022, 07:30 PM #4
Ulcers
Got myself a test kit and tried it again today.
Ammonia was definitely higher than normal
pH was on the low side 6.5
nitrates and nitrites were normal
KH was below 1
I've done a 20% water change and treated the high ammonia
Fish has now developed what looks like 3 ulcers on its side. normal eating and movement
Can anyone help or will it heal on its own?
IMG_9292.jpgIMG_9294.jpgIMG_9300.jpgIMG_9301.jpegLast edited by Brodi barber; 28-11-2022 at 07:59 PM.
-
28-11-2022, 07:48 PM #5
Kh was high what value? As the kh should hold the pH up ? .
Sent from my SM-G973F using TapatalkFreddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
-
john1 Thanked / Liked this Post
-
28-11-2022, 07:59 PM #6
oh no sorry the KH was low. It was below 1 dKH
-
28-11-2022, 08:01 PM #7
A ph crash will cause the red ness and speaking from horrible experience can wipe your pond out I lost all my large koi a couple years back . As did another member on here . What kh and ph is your tap water ?? Do you have any bicarbonate soda lying around ???
Sent from my SM-G973F using TapatalkFreddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
-
Manky Sanke Thanked / Liked this Post
-
28-11-2022, 08:02 PM #8
Alkalinity
Sent from my SM-G973F using TapatalkFreddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
-
Manky Sanke Thanked / Liked this Post
-
28-11-2022, 08:07 PM #9
ill go test tap water now and get back to you
-
28-11-2022, 08:23 PM #10
Tap water
KH = 4
pH = 6 ishIMG_9304.jpg
questioning the accuracy of these tests if the pH of topwater is below 6.5!!
-
28-11-2022, 08:30 PM #11
The pond has always been filled from water from this supply. If it has, what would cause the chemistry to change now?
-
28-11-2022, 08:45 PM #12
The chlorine/chloramine added to the water by the supply authority will have lowered its pH a little (about 0.5 for average levels of chlorine/chloramine) so, after dechlorination and a few hours of aeration to normalise the level of dissolved carbon dioxide, (CO2 also lowers the pH), it will rise again to its original value before it was chlorinated. This very much depends on hardness and the amount of chlorine/chloramine added but, as an example: Fresh from the tap 7.5 pH - After dechlorination 8.0 pH.
To measure the supply pH, you need to fill a bucket with fresh tap water, add a couple of drops of dechlorinator then vigorously aerate it for a few hours before measuring the pH. Otherwise you'll get an artificially low reading due to the chlorine/chloramine in it.
-
28-11-2022, 08:49 PM #13
Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. Do you have any ideas on how to handle the situation?
I was thinking of an ulcer treatment for the whole pond and maybe even salt to help recovery since it's getting cold?
-
28-11-2022, 08:59 PM #14
When a pH test indicates the lowest value it can read, it's very likely that it could be much lower but the reagent has changed as much as it can and can't change to the correct colour to indicate this. So, get the pond pH comfortably in the acceptable range 7.0 to 8.5 first because a low pH, possibly well below 7.0 has probably initiated your problems.
Read how to safely recover from a low pH on my website here:
Questions Answered (mankysanke.co.uk)
-
Ajm Thanked / Liked this Post
-
28-11-2022, 09:03 PM #15
Nice one, I appreciate the advice, would it be a good idea to an ulcer treatment aswell even if its just the have it on standby?
-
29-11-2022, 09:12 AM #16
I would be putting in some sodium bicarbonate as Aj said to bring ph up and as per Manky Sankys site.
Ulcers dont look too aggressive to me you could get an Nt labs ulcer kit, but I would be inclined to use some Acriflavin in the water I have had some good results with it.John
-
Ajm, Manky Sanke Thanked / Liked this Post
-
29-11-2022, 09:55 AM #17
Cheers mate I'll try get hold of some ASAP.
-
29-11-2022, 10:01 AM #18Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
-
john1, Manky Sanke Thanked / Liked this Post
Best plants to remove Nitrate
pug has a very impressive veg filter on his pond, have a look at some of his his youtube videos....