Shasta Koi & Water Garden Club

Going on Vacation? 

A little bit of advance preparation can help to prevent problems or minimize those that can sneak up on you.  The following suggestions are courtesy of B. Scott Gould and Steve Eckard.

B. Scott Gould

1. Get one of the members listed to be on call for problems.  This wouldn't need to be the person keeping any eye on things but somebody that could be contacted and come on short notice in case of trouble.
2. Cut back on feeding.  A small portion of feed isn't going to make much difference in the growth of the fish and won't have as harmful an effect as suddenly discovering the fish are getting too much.  You KNOW this will manifest itself as soon as you step on the plane. It's Murphy's MO.
3. Cover the pond with a net.  This will keep the fish in, and the birds and most animals out.
4. Remove all nets and containers or anything else that might be used to catch your fish, but keep them available to those who might need to rescue your fish.
5. Make no major modifications to the pond/filter shortly before you leave. 
6. Keep a backup system on hand.  Nothing too fancy and as idiot proof as possible. Just enough to help your fish survive until you get back.

Steve Eckard

1. Write out a step-by-step instruction sheet and label all valves and switches for the filters and pumps.  Include the location of the electrical panel.
2. Place the instruction sheet in a baggie and staple/hang it near the filtration and pumps.
3. Definitely develop a standby list of other knowledgeable koi keepers who can be called upon to help out your family or neighbor if trouble develops.
4. To add to the feeding issue...pre-measure the food and place into seperate containers or baggies.
5. Write an information sheet about your pond and fish, including feeding instructions, who to call for help, etc.

Basic Feeding Schedule

• under 50F...no food
• 50-55F...one to two time a week, when weather is good
• 56-60F...2-3 times a week
• 60-63F...once a day
• 64-66F...twice a day
• 67-72F...three times a day
• 73-78F...3-4 times a day
• 78-86F...5-6 times a day
• 87-89F...once a day in morning or evening
• 90F ....no food

Koi Health

So you have fish that are acting strangely or appear sickly.  Maybe they are flashing or have red spots.  So what is the problem?  We can treat the symptom i.e. treat for parasites, etc. or we can look for the root cause.  There is an old truism that states "if you take care of the water the fish will take care of themselves".  The basic cause of most of the problems we have with our fish is poor water quality.  Inadequate filtration for the fish load can lead to high levels of ammonia and nitrite which create a stressed and weakened fish.  Inadequate filtration and over crowding can provide a perfect enviroment for a population explosion of Aeromonas and pseudomonas bacteria.  A stressed and weakened fish can not readily fight off parasites and infections.  An over crowded pond is not good fish keeping.  You cannot have too much filtration.  Remember, our ponds are closed systems and we do not want those ponds to become septic tanks.  So to repeat, maintain a healthy enviroment for your fish and lesson your fish health problems.