Dying Fish

lolly · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:12 pm Post subject: Dying Fish

My dad has a pond, well is more like a large stone trough with a mix of gold fish and carp in it. The fish have all been in at least since last summer. There is water flow but no filtration, is left to its natural devices. My dad has had pond fish for a few years and has been lucky that they have all stayed well. Other than the odd death Over the last few week he has lost a few fish (4 or 5). Have tested water for acidity etc is all normal, I think? The only sign the fish display is that they remain at the surface of the water for a few days then die. They do not appear to display bloating or fuz or anything. What do you suggest?? Any advice is good as i know nothing about pond fish. Any furhter info required i will try to get.

Canovas · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:48 pm Post subject:

Can you put the results (test water)?

lolly · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:26 am Post subject:

Ok i suppose i must fess up, i used the test kit i have for my tropical tank. The results showed ph7, nitrate & nitrite virtually 0 and amonia cant remember but was really low. Is there a general tonic for pond fish or perhaps should get propper test kit?

Canovas · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 10:40 am Post subject:

Well, your water and test kit are ok.

I don't know what can happend, how is the food? how old are your fish?

Thom · Site Admin

Hi Lolly,

Your ammonia reading is a concern to me...you should ideally get a reading of zero for that. I dont suppose you have noted the colour of the gills of the fish? Ammonia is very toxic to fish, and can literally burn their gills - which inhibits their ability to breath properly. Gills burnt by ammonia will be a red colour, which is very obvious in the aquarium - but in ponds is not so noticably, as we don't get to see the fish from the sides.

You saying that the fish are at the surface does suggest ammonia poisoning to me, as when fish find breathing difficult they will goto the surface because of the higher oxygen content there.

How large is the trough, and how many fish does it contain? Also, how are they feeding at the moment? Its very early in the season for ponds still, and fish are only just starting to feed - so if they are being fed alot, then this could be leading to the high ammonia levels. Without filtration as well, you will I suspect be relying alot on plants to do your filtering in the pond - which is not a problem, but plants will also only just be starting up, so won't be upto dealing with much waste at the moment.

For now, I would cut back on feeding and carry out acouple of small water changes (so not to stress them at this time when they are quite weak because of it being early in the season) to try and get the ammonia down.

Thom.

lolly · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:50 am Post subject:

Firstly i think all readoings may have been messed up cos there was heavy rain the night before. The fish do not seem to have red gill at all.
The trough is about 21/2 ft depth of water, 6ft long and 21/2ft wide. There are arround 8 small koi and mediund goldfish in there. I reall do not think it is an over stock problem. Feeding has been reduced and recently ie in last few days no more have died.
I think we just have to keep eye on them for a while.
Thanks for the advice anyway.