Sick Koi?  – 03/09/07
Hi,
<Bonita>
We have had our koi pond for just over one year.
When the ice thawed about 2 weeks ago, it started getting full of stringy moss.  
<Seasonal... to be expected... and a note to all... I would NOT fool with a pond this early out of the "cold season">
The koi have been kind of dormant (not moving around much) which seems to be the case whenever the water starts getting colder (going into winter).
<Yes>
Anyway, one of the koi was particularly dormant and seemed to have moss growing on it.
<!>
Now the rest of the koi are moving around a lot, but this one has a big patch of green on its back and a small patch over each eye.  It looks just like the moss (same color and looks stringy).  My husband picked the koi up and rubbed his thumb across the green patch on its back.  It didn't come off at all and he said it felt really slimy.
<Mmm... healthy koi, pond fish... are slimy... not "dry"... but not "too" slimy either>
Can you tell me what this is and if there is anything we can do about it?
<Likely nothing... really. I would leave this fish be... and if you do "anything" with the pond... do it s l o w l y>
I have been trying to find information, but everything I read about fungus and other things seem to be white or red in color.  Also, I have read something about putting salt in the pond and someone told me I could treat the fish with salt???
<I would not at this time of year...>
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Bonnie & Rusty Wilson  
<You should read... here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/Pond%20Sub%20Web.htm
scroll down to the tray on Pond Maintenance... the articles by myself... and the related/linked FAQs files. Don't fool with the pond or livestock... until it's much warmer, consistently. Bob Fenner>

"Flipping" fish?
Hi, Jim here.
<Bob here>
Saw your website and read/searched for information on my situation but didn't see it addressed.
<Okay, let's address it now>
I have an outdoor pond, 3 years old, approx. 2500 gallons with a small waterfall. There is a 1250 gph pump, UV sterilizer and gravity filter that runs year round - I'm in North Carolina. I have 3 shubunkin and 14 koi. The shubunkin and most of the koi were all transplanted into the pond 3 years ago and purchased when about 3" long. Four of the koi have been hatched in the past two years in the same pond.
<All right>
In the past few weeks we've noticed that a few of the larger koi (14-15") have been darting around the pond and rolling onto their sides while swimming. Not for long, only a moment when shooting down the length of the pond, almost like "watch me Dad!". I did notice one of them fanning the bottom of the pond for a couple of days with his tailfin; he hasn't done that since (near as I can determine he's one of the males - long and sleek). I haven't noticed any milt in the water and the females that I can identify still seem full with eggs.
<Tis the season>
I had written it off to spawning behavior or just plain old Spring fever but last night one of the shubunkin wasn't feeding. She - Daryl Anne - [Larry, Darrell & Daryl until Daryl laid eggs and became Daryl Anne ;-)] was off by herself and didn't swim with the rest all evening. Very unusual behavior for her as she's always the first to feed and very sociable.
<Could be all the goldfish/shubunkins are females... or that the male is "not mature">
The pond wintered over very well, water is clear and the colors/markings of the fish look bright and blemish free. I added water yesterday as it was down about 10% - treated the city water with Prime as I always do with no adverse effects.
Does this behavior sound at all familiar?
Thanks!
<Does sound familiar. You know that the goldfish and koi are separate species... but can cross-breed (not usual in your setting)... I do think the koi were/are just feeling spunky with the warming weather. Do keep your eye on them should they clear the side of the pond and need to be placed back in... Bob Fenner>