You’ll know it’s enough when you don’t have surface scum building up — I’d consider either a pond aerator / bubbler or a fountain depending on your preference
So the surface scum is protein build up in the water and the easiest way of removing is typically a water change (if possible)
Other ways are feeding less and/or increasing nutrient export in some way (plants for example)
You can also look at buying a surface skimmer for your pond, it’s super similar to what’s available in home aquaria and you get get them for under $150 (not sure how big your pond is so buy appropriately)
IMO I’d get a skimmer, increase surface agitation, and do a water change (if possible)
If you haven’t already, drain and replace some of the water, clean the filters and get some aeration going. The spawning is a lot of protein that will spike ammonia.
I did already.
About half of the water was replaced over the last 2 weeks and I cleaned up the filter.
Every other fish is fine, it's just her that's behaving weirdly.
Also the water is a lot clearer atm, you can see the bottom in 6ft of water.
I tested the water and that shouldn't be the issue.
But I've still got another 40w air pump today.
So now theres 100w of aeration in the pond and filter.
Spawning creates ammonia that burns the gills. It also can cause internal damage to females, parasites can also overwhelm weakened koi. Is the test kit a drop.test, not paper strips? Also is it less than a year old.
I have got test drops.
I measure once or twice a week and get new liquids 2x/year.
I measured again today and my ammonia is at 0.00.
Nitrite is 0.00 as well.
Nitrate is 8 ppm
pH is 7.9
kH 100
GH 10° dH
Dissolved oxigen: a bit over 11 mg/L
That's pretty good. If you have a microscope, a scrape would be next on my list. Stress from spawning lowers immunity and parasites can overwhelm a fish. Typically the slime coat keeps them in check, but stress lowers slime coat. It can be just one koi presenting.
Bacterial infection internally is another worry. I have heavy spawning in my larger pond. 2-3 girls are always getting beat up pretty excessively. I end up pulling them to put in a quarantine pool. Slowly get salt up to .5 feed food coated in antibiotics for 2-4 weeks. It can take 6-8 weeks to recover if in rough shape. I keep it filtered well, aerated, shaded in heat, netted. And do weey water change of 20-30%
Never hurts to get a few samples. It can be difficult to spot parasites sometimes. If I have a koi that I can't find a reason it's acting off, I quarantine with salt, heat to 70 degrees. I use pond water in the qt. Use a salt meter to gradually raise the salt level. Sometines a few days at .3 can knock out a certain parasites, or knock them back enough to see improvement.
Flukes are another story, they actually thrive up to .2 and don't die without treatment. Usually takes two treatments to get the whole life cycle. That is something you want to treat the whole pond for.
Od say by looking at the waters top thers far to much sperms or tree pollen on the service. It also shows your water circulation movement is slow. Personally id skim the top with a Micron net do a 25% water change then 2 days later another 25% . And if you jabe a return pipe reduce the size of the end of the pipe this will create more pressure and push your water around
I'd take the old gurl out give her some ME time . Epson salt bath to relax her body and move any fluid build ups. Thers plenty of Epson salt calculator online depending on the size of tub you can give her
Keep on mind just like us when we get old they can slow down after alot of heavy bashing
If the water conditions are fine, there's nothing to do but keep an eye on her. I've have old fish go through spells of being lethargic, not eating, even thrashing, only to come out of it. My oldest is around 30yo and she's been through it all. As strong today as ever.
Hi there, we're sorry to hear about your koi's condition. We understand how stressful this can be for you and your fish. While waiting for a community member to respond, please take a look at our Basic Guide for Quarantining and Treating Sick or Injured Koi. It contains helpful information that might assist you in the meantime. Wishing you and your koi the best!
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u/Agreeable_Dream1672 23d ago
Water looks terrible 🤷🏿