Hi All,
So I've had this fish 5 years, from 6" to now almost 30". A couple of years ago the fish suddenly started swimming very strangely and long story short based on some responses here back then, the possibility may have been some sort of electric shock. No other fish in the pond were affected. Years pass and the fish continues to grow and eat well, though "she" always seemed a little crooked and swam more like a waddle than the "normal" fish. Just recently moved this fish and the others from a koi pond show tank where they spent the winter comfortably in the basement, to the new 2100 gal pond. I have been doing daily water changes and adding koi clay while the bacteria gets going in the filters. pH has been 8.2 nitrites have been zero and nitrates/ammonia have been zero. Ammonia crept up slightly a couple of days ago but the frequent water changes have been keeping it down. The fish has been eating normally (though I am feeding lightly), and swimming as usual. Keep in mind that this fish also tends to take a head down position, and the tail does frequently come out of the water. I always attributed to not being in a big enough pond not helping the situation any. In fact, she seemed to do much better in the show tank as it was deeper/larger than what she had been in.
Now that "she" is in a nice "big" pond that's 4 feet deep, she seems to be having more trouble than she did before. In fact, tonight I'm not sure if she could really eat as usual. I know that if it was from a previous electric shock nothing can really be done, but is the decline after moving to a new pond just a coincidence or is something else going on? Are the symptoms of a swim bladder issue similar to an electric shock? Just wanted to rule that out, though I am thinking its as dismal a response to any treatments as an electric shock.
I'll see if I can get a video tomorrow. I'm just curious what people's thoughts/opinions are. Obviously if it gets worse I'll have to consider how long I would leave her like that. If anyone has any info on koi vets in the NJ area, that might be helpful as well, for now and for the future. Thanks in advance!
Allison
PS filtration is external pump to three SG Birdman filters, 4" bottom drain with aeration and Savio skimmer/waterfall with an additional TPR return. Also have the UV light in the Savio.