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Ponds in the UK

Koi swimming problem

18 years ago

As a result of my recent nitrite problems (see previous strings), one of my koi appears to have caught an infection. It seems as though it is paralysed down one side in that it does not appear to be able to use the fin on the left hand side of it's body. In addition it has difficulty in staying upright, constantly rolling onto one side where it can lay in the shallows or on the bottom of the pond for quite a long time. However, when I try to catch it ( no luck so far) it just scoots away as though nothing is wrong.

After escape and a short period of swimming it will then roll over again and settle on its side.

Can anybody suggest what may be wrong.? My suspicion is that it may be a swimbladder problem, but would like confirmation of this. Any hints on treatment would also be appreciated.

Many thanks

JohnTW16

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Comments (3)

mark22
18 years ago
Very stressed fish can lay on there sides like that. Or it could be more problems such as shown in the link below, I can't remember if you salted the pond to help with the nitrite problem but salt now would help a stressed fish. I would take the whole pond up to 0.3% (0.1% a day) rather than keep stressing it even more trying to catch it. Also some medicated food may help with a possible bacterial infection but it could just be stressed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Layover
johntw16
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Mark for the info. I have salted the pond to about 0.1%. I was a bit reluctant to add more but it seems I might have to. The link was also very useful. I will start a course of antibacterial treatment tonight.

regards
John
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fishmaduk
18 years ago
hi
john.
sounds like your fish has had a stroke due to the left hand side being effected.

or it has sun stroke is it a light coloured fish?.

fish must have some where to go when the sun is hot.

or swimbladder also sounds effected.

---------david-------------fishmaduk------------------

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