For the last two hours I have been helping Spot to stay under the fountain in order to maybe get more oxygen. Everytime I go check on him, he is either on the bottom or on his side near the top. Afraid that we are loosing him. So new to this pond thing that I feel responsible. The other 4 babies appear to be ok but they are harrassing him and I understand that means he is dying. Have had copiuos amounts of rain but didn't think that would hurt a fish. Read something about salt but it is way over my head. Anyone have any suggestions. He is the cutest and has been the most active...that is until the last rain that was 1 3/4 inches in less than an hour. Is there some connection to the rain? Have turned the fountain up so it can put in as much oxygen as possible. Help!
loosing Spot
Oh Christie!
I wish I know something to do, I've a Koi named Spot too. Thus caught my eye. Last summer we lost "The Boss" a gold Koi and "Casper" a white one. Co-incidentally it was also after the rain. Where some run off water has gotten into the pond. However, I've just returned from your other posts. In raised tank/pond. You need to check Amonia level, Nitrate, and other chemistry to the water. They come in kits that could be found at petsmart and such. Did you use well water? If not tab water; did you de-chlorinate them? It's critial for fish health. I've some others has more extensive knowledge about fish care come to help. I lost a couple of my tank fish in the last weeks, and I can relate with your pain. (I lost mine 2 gold fish due to Ick, I think, one this morning).
Kim
how ironic, Kim. Just reading your post on another thread about your black goldfish.
I'm such a novice that I feel like there must be something I could do if I only knew what it was.
I have tap water and did all the recommended things such as leaving for 2-3 days and then adding de-chlorinator. Added the babies about June 6th or so. This is such a downer.
I am so sorry for your loss as well. Who would ever dream that I am attached to a fish.
Thank you for your empathy as I feel your hurt as well. So wonderful that we have each other to understand what a loss.
Spot is barely visible and he is 3 times the size when this picture was taken.
Christie;
How hot is the weather there? I thought about the heat that is being conducted via metal, galvanized tub. Did you check the water temp.? A sudden changes in water temp. could affect your fish and stress them out.....
I grow my Lotus in tubs. And in the middle of the day. I stuck my hand in the water, and it was "Hot" to the touch. My poor plants, let along our fish.
I went back to you post, and looked at the galvanize through. Even though, you have provided shade over head. But, our blazing sun would heat up that through considerably in the course of few hours....
Because of the continuous rain we are not having the usual 100+. It has been in the lo 80's, upper 70's for almost a month. The water has not changed appreciably since I started this odessey. Going to PetsMart tomorrow to get any and everything to test and treat water. My neighbor has been raising KOI for about 12 years and is my usual expert.
They have just built a third pond that wanders like a creek and holds abou 22000 gallons while mine is 360 gallons. Had to start somewhere.
Is there any way to isolate Spot away from the other fish for a while to give him a chance to recover? It may very well be that he had a shock to his system with all of the rain and the resulting temperature change. If you could make a temporary barrier it might help or perhaps remove him to an aquarium. These guys are pretty hardy for the most part and Spot may yet come back.
Lily, you are such a Love. lol Only a dedicated friend would go to all the other posts. I feel I have overblown my little "pail". There are so many that have really, truly ponds.
tuna,
You've been a wonderful helper before. I don't have anything that has a oxygenator (sp) in it. Only thing I would know to do is draw some of the pond water into an extra large bowl and don't think that would help him. Will bow to your suggestions.
Christie,
What I am saying is, sudden temp. changes.... Our 1st pond was a modest 250 gallons, the most. Where my Ballirina was overlooked, and survived a whole winter in such small water area. She was the most beautiful fan-tail gold fish I ever had. Like you, I never thought I'd be attatched to a fish. I guess we just love life and nature all around us.
Kim
You could be right. The water was some warmer just after the rain. It has since cooled down. I haven't used a thermometer but know how it feels when I stick my hand in very deep. Have been out to check on Spot again and he seems some better. Almost afraid to go to bed and check him in the morning.....as if I could change the outcome. Thank you so much for your help.
Hey Christie how is Spot doing today? Is water possibly running off your roof into the pond? Check your PH and see if everything is still balanced.
Jeri
Well, he's still trying and so am I. Bought a thermometer, salt, test kit, smaller food pellets, emptied 1/4 of the water and added chlorine buster and fresh water, some sort of block to balance something, bag of barley pellets, plant fertilizer pellets......oh, and a siphon kit. Followed the directions and put little Spot in a salt bath for 8 minutes. After getting all this done I scooped him up with some of the food, kept him under the water and let the food float around.....he swallowed some and spit some out. Oh dear me. $4.58 for a fish a $50.00 to try to save him. No not really, just trying to go a little further in trying to get this enclosed pond balanced.
He swims upside down, laying on his side, lays on the bottom then has a burst and swims away....then starts all over. Have done MORE than I know how so....
Thanks jeri. Really enjoyed your thread with the little house. wonderful
Can't find Spot in the pond. Afraid he has died and is under some of the rock ledges. Very frustrated as most of my water tests have turned out bad. Makes me feel even more responsible. Guess I just thought it would be all too easy. I did clean the filter/pumps last Thursday. Spot was showing signs of stress that has just gotten worse since then. The other 4 appear to be ok except they are not eating with their usual relish. Keep telling myself they are only fish. We crappie fished in the past and I had no compunction about impaling a minnow on a hook. This just seems so different.
Christie;
I wished if you could find somewhere to temporarily house the fish. They're under stress. The water chemistry has got to be corrected very soon. I'm very sorry about Spot. I am more concerned about the other 4. And you. ((((((((Hug))))))
Christie does galvanized affect the PH? If it's that bad take the water to most pet stores and they will check it and tell you exactly what to do. That way you know it's right.
I'm so sorry about Spot. I hope the others are OK!!!
Jeri
Lost little Spot today. I have treated the pond with everything....well, not everything just the things it needed. No one warned me about ammonia and I guess I just didn't read enough. Added the fish on June 5th or so......cleaned the filter last Thursday and have been told that messed with the beneficial microbes that built up. I almost always learn things the hard way but sure didn't want to kill the fish in the process. The other 4 seem ok....swimmin' and chillin'. The water is kind of murky because of the treatment but hope it will be clear by tomorrow. The incessant rain didn't help. Sunday I had to dip water out to keep it from running over. Asked people at the pet store about the galvanized tub and they didn't think it was the problem. Ammonia and all of its aftermath.
Those who have been asking how I went about putting this together.....I need a lot more help before I presume to help anyone else. Thank you. Maybe I can report my mistakes to keep you from making the same ones.
((((((hugs))))))))
Christie every plan doesn't work the first time. I tell everyone that I have Plan A, Plan B and Plan C and if that doesn't work then we go to Plan D. You only fail if you quit and I think you are already hook so no chance of that.
It's not easy but then again it's not rocket science either. Always make me marvel at how great God is to have planned the rivers and lakes and everything works until we mess with them. I don't test my own water it drives me crazy trying to figure out what color the paper turned. I always take in my pool and pond water for people to test them.
Hang in there, there will be better days!!!
Jeri
Just a little update. shortly after the last post...lost another baby. As of today have 3 that are just doing great. Hesitate to put in any more because of the small volume of water. The water has "matured" and have added more plants for oxygen. Now realize these are not instant endevours. Everything worthwhile takes time. A friend made the sign...little hard to read.....Time Began in a Garden.....how true.
Have good holiday.
Christi Lou
Christi... I'm so sorry about your fishies. I haven't been keeping up with this thread well... I too know how losing fish can be very painful. But, it is a learning curve, I guess. Glad the others are doing well. You're in my thoughts.
Brenda
Heavy rainfall can cause a sudden drop in Ph. A sudden drop in Ph can kill fish. Cleaning the filter doesn't necessarily remove the beneficial bacteria that convert the ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate. It depends on what part was cleaned and how. You can get the gunk out without destroying the bacteria. How, depends on the filter type. If there is room anywhere in the pond for one or two small granite rocks add them. Granite does not alter Ph. The rock provides a good and constant surface for nitryfing bacteria and the fish will enjoy grazing an any algae that forms. The rock(s) will also be a source of good bacteria for spring start up. Some will survive the cold water temps on the rock at the pond bottom and kick start filtration in the spring. Do not use limestone. Limestone will leach calcium carbonate into the water and raise the Ph. A quick way to reintroduce good bacteria back into a pond is to buy a potted water plant from a pond store that keeps fish in with the plants. The surface of the pot will have the bacteria you need.
Thanks, Snap. One of the things I did in the beginning was to add some river rocks and probably one or more was limestone. I since removed them and have plants that have done just as you say. I appreciate your help.
LouC
Christi, isn't it interesting how attached you can get to wildlife? We recently lost a few of our goldfish, so I can commiserate. Odd thing is, it was when the water cleared up that we lost them. Good luck with your finny friends.
Kathleen
ka, been following your thread and am really sorry that you lost your big goldfish. used to go fishing and used worms and minnows for bait.....now wouldn't dare harm an earthworm for the all the wonderful results they give to a garden.....can't imagine putting a hook through one of my little ones......perspective certainly changes when one begins to get intimately involved with nature.
It's all relative LouC.
Read this information.
http://sherman.depaul.edu/media/webapp/mrNews.asp?NID=1094
Well. This is beginning to sound like some of the recommendations out there for what to eat or drink. Coffee for instance, is good for you on Monday, will kill you on Tuesday, on Wednesday it is neutral and then we start all over again. lol Fortunately we don't have the invasive shrub here but lots of red oak. Maybe that will keep things in balance. Have always been told that a healthy population of earthworms was an indication that the soil was in good ecological condition. Thank you for yet again another piece of the puzzle to life.
Apparently earthworms are an international problem. More "food" for thought.
http://www.thestar.com/article/208509
Wow. Christi, I'm with you on your analogy. I still eat bacon, which we were all told would kill us back in the 70's, remember?
I like my earthworms in the garden. Next week they're going to discover that it is something else that is really to blame.
My dad always told us.....nobody is gonna get out of here alive....something is gonna take us.....so might as well enjoy.
LOL, Christi... I say a variation of that quote all the time. "Ain't none of us gettin' out of here alive".
and another.......never saw a u-haul trailer in a funeral procession.....ain't takin nothing with us.......
Indeed. Enjoy and live every moment.
The bacon thing I agree with. Remember when margarine was supposed to be better for you? Now butter is better! But there is too much stuff out there about the earthworms being a problem in too many areas of the globe to ignore.
http://www.mtnlakes.org/Borough/Woodlands/Earthworms.htm
Sorry, snap. Didn't mean to make light of an important subject. I agree that we have so many invasives of every different denominator that we don't know which way to turn. Not sure there is anything to be done to stop all of them. I do my best not to contribute when I'm aware of a problem. Sometimes the only to cope is to make a joke and that was in bad taste. Again. I apologize.
Christi Lou
Well, if you ever saw the movie "Tremors"... be afraid, be very afraid! If you haven't seen the movie "Tremors"... you must! Pretty funny, and I love Reba McIntire's part (not sure if I spelled her name right...). Really bad, really good.
Haven't seen it. Will put it on my list to rent.
Thanks, B.
Oh My Goodness Christie Lou - I wasn't offended, not a bit. Please, no need to apologize. I rather liked the gallows humor actually. Besides, I'm the one who took this post off track. I should be apologizing to you and the other posters.
As for the worm thing, well, I don't see any practical solution on the horizon. For now just awarness is about all any one can do. Also support any local natural resource agency if they ever do find a local problem and an action plan. Not much else to do.
I have more on the "bad movies" theme. Since we are all a bunch of gardeners you have to see "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes". It is BAAAD......... Without giving too much away in one part of the movie a person infiltrates the tomato camp dressed as one and then asks for ketchup to go along with his food........ you guess the rest. And they made a sequel! :^)
Now those sound like a rainy afternoon matinee......wonder if they are Blockbuster...