I am new to this forum. I have some sick koi. I have been bringing them into a large inside pond (380 gallons) every winter for the last 7 years along with some goldfish. I live in Colorado.
This year, I think I was negligent in checking the ammonia levels. The test strips showed ok. I believe they got stressed from bringing them in due to overcrowding or bad water. I immediately corrected the water and now showing 0 ammonia, no nitrites and low levels of nitrates. I have reduced the number in the downstairs pond to 3 medium sized koi and 7 goldfish.
My koi started showing red on their sides. I treated with melafix and pimafix per the fish store and pet store recommendations. Most of my goldfish have gotten better. 2 out of the 3 koi are not getting better.
Now the red streaks have turned to sores and are not getting better. One of my koi is no longer eating.
I have been trying to figure out what to treat them with but the local fish stores have not been able to give me consistent information.
I've attached some pictures. I am not comfortable giving injections and I don't have a microscope. I have one koi in the outside pond still who seems to be doing ok.
I really appreciate any help you can give me.
Laura Davis
Treatment thus far:
Salt to .10% to .15%
Melafix for 7 days
off for 7 days
Reduced pond level to 200 gallons to be able to treat with Pimafix
Pimafix and Melafix for 7 days
off for 7 days
Isolated 2 koi to 35 gallon container for 4 days to treat with API. E.M. Erythromycin
2 days treatment, 25% water change
2 days treatment - moved back to original pond
Increased pond level to 300 gallons maintaining .1% to .15% salt concentration. Will be increasing it gradually back to 380 gallons.
Making sure pond water is good.