Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

I suppose ideally the fish should be removed and put into a holding tank of some sort. I remember doing this years ago with a fish that had been condemned by the expert in the aquatic centre. I put it in a large bucket with some pond water and some new water with dechlorinator and added an airstone pump. I covered it with a mesh to stop poredators and left it there for a few weeks and it made a full recovery.

It depends how far you want to go with it but some aquatic centres will test a fish for you and tell you exactly what's wrong (you normally have to agree it with them first).

Another method is a salt dip where the fish is dipped into a bucket of pond water containing pond salt.

Generally, I understand that it's not the water problem that actually kills them but a secondary infection.

Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

Even more odd is that the ammonia readings have all been zero ever since I started doing the tests.

In fact, the pH is always at 7 and Nitrate and Nitrites are both zero. Other tests are all within acceptable parameters.

Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

Yes, that's what I can't quite understand plus the fact that the other fish haven't been affected. If it wasn't for the fact that it is lethargic, I would say it is just changing colour -which does happen.

Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

Yes, I read that they sometimes do that.

I think I'll just leave it for now, as the others don't seem affected. Also, when I get close for a good look, it seems well able to dart off rapidly.

Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

Ha ha, I know what you mean. Once mine realise there's no food involved, they are off.

Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

My fish that have been born this year are starting to appear. Usually they are black as babies then change colour, but today I saw a little white fish, my shubunkin must be the parent yea!

Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

It's great to see that isn't it. I remember the first time I saw fish babies in the pond, I was out at midnight with a jar and a torch because I didn't want them to get eaten by the adults. I put them back the next day as I realised I couldn't keep them alive in a jar indefinitely. Most of them survived.

As you say, goldfish babies are normally black so it must be the Shubunkin.

Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

Has anyone had a professional pond cleaner?
I've got one coming next week, he takes the fish out, and does a total water change , cleans it, checks pump etc.
It is a raised pond 3 feet above ground, 18" below so difficult to clean, it is only really clear in winter due to sunlight.

Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

Do you have a pump and UV filter?
If not, it is likely to become murky again.
It is my experience that creating some sort of shade (I use a garden umbrella) on sunny days makes a lot of difference.

Re: Ponds, Fish & Plants

Hi Yolande

I have never used a professional cleaner but I have read stories where they have transformed a murky pond so you should see a good result. I have used the cheap pond vacuums in the past but they are not very good.