Help for a newbie! Please!

[the_cat]

We just recently got a pond in our back yard.... I don't have the exact size but let's just say that it is as big as our swimming pool and probably about 4 feet deep.

Recently, in the past two weeks or less we've lost about 4 koi's.

I really haven't seen them but as per what my mom said, they look bruised.

We took the water for a test to the local 'pond expert' and they say the water quality is fine.

I'm just worried that this bruises are some sort of sickness and the rest of the fish are going to get infected...

any ideas anyone?

Please?!

[the_cat]

I hate to post this pic, but I just went ouside the fish was there.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/a2k4srt4/pond%20fish/Dsc03974.jpg

and here is the pond:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/a2k4srt4/pond%20fish/Dsc03972.jpg

[Koidaddy]

So sorry. Looks like you have a predator in the neighborhood. Funny thing, there is no sign of mutilation, just bruising? Do you own a dog? I know my terriers, given the right moment would love to catch a few of my fish. How far away from your pond was your fish found. Hopefully this is an isolated incident. Sometimes our swimming friend like to play hide and go seek... I had to learn this for myself recently.

Good luck and keep us posted.

KD
!welcome

[Koidaddy]

BTW, very nice pond... we love photos (the good kind).

[carcha koi]

Hi Cat
The Koi You Are Finding, Are They Floating Or Are They On The Shore? Have You Added Any Chemicals And Is So What. How Long Have You Had The Fish? What Fliters Are You Using?
Is That Blood Coming From The Gill Plate Area? ARE THE SCALES SWOLLEN?
Does Your Sides Of The Pond Drop Right Off Or Is There Shallow Areas?
Have Your Plants Been Disturbed?
Sorry For All The Questions But They Will Help In Finding Your Problem And A Sollution.
There Are Lots Of People That Will Help. Terri And Ian Have A Great Wealth Of KNOWLEDGE TO DRAW UPON.
BACKYARD Looks Nice.

[Terri]

Hello cat, welcome to KR....

Very difficult to tell from the photo - but it doesn't appear to be bruising, more like the signs of bacterial infection... could be parasites involved.

The 'pond expert' - did he happen to write down the water parameters for you? Fine is not acceptable, we need numbers. I suggest that you or your mom obtain a water test kit of your own, they are easy to use and a good investment every pond owner should have - Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes two test kits - Pond and Master kits.

How long has the pond been in operation? Would you happen to know the approximate gallons of the pond? (was the water metered during filling?) Is this an AquaScape type pond (rock bottom)?

Were the fish purchased all at once from the same supplier? How many fish are in the pond? Are they all koi? How big, on average, are the fish?

Have any water exchanges been done since the pond set up? If so was a dechlorination product used?

Are you using any pond water additives? (i.e. microbe lift or algea killing products)

Has there been any pesticide sprayed in your area recently?

Sorry for all the questions, but the answers will help us all here to help you and your fish.

[Jackie Ramo]

Well, Terri covered my questions pretty much and has given you a bit of home work to do.

The fish looks to have a bacterial infection to me, that isn't for sure just my impression when looking at the fish. Many many things can cuase a fish to die with this look. Actually a wise man once said, dead fish tell few tales. A live fish can tell many.

Welcome by the way. We are here to help.

[Jackie Ramo]

Any updates Cat?