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Thread: pink dorsal fin

  1. #1

    Exclamation 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



  2. #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.

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  4. #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?

  5. #4

    Exclamation 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.jpeg
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by Brodi barber; 28-11-2022 at 07:59 PM.

  6. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Kh was high what value? As the kh should hold the pH up ? .

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    Johnathan

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  8. #6
    oh no sorry the KH was low. It was below 1 dKH

  9. #7
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    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 ???

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  11. #8
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Alkalinity

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  13. #9
    ill go test tap water now and get back to you

  14. #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!!

  15. #11
    The pond has always been filled from water from this supply. If it has, what would cause the chemistry to change now?

  16. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Brodi barber View Post
    Tap water
    KH = 4
    pH = 6 ishIMG_9304.jpg

    questioning the accuracy of these tests if the pH of topwater is below 6.5!!

    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.

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  18. #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?

  19. #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)

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  21. #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?

  22. #16
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    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

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  24. #17
    Cheers mate I'll try get hold of some ASAP.

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  26. #18
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brodi barber View Post
    Cheers mate I'll try get hold of some ASAP.
    Cheap stuff mate amazon about 25 quid for a big sack ebay aswell

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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