brokensword wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:03 pm
so, been having some fish issues and having to read up/learn about koi diseases. Still not sure, but decided to douse the pond with proform C, which is supposed to work against some parasites (the smaller ones, as opposed to gill flukes, round worm, etc) and fungus, as well as help the fish's slime coat and up their immunity. A few fish developed what looked like wounds to me, but were probably more like ulcers. I've tested but the parameters were fine (ammonia was 0), the water is clear, the fish (even those WITH the suspected bugs/fungus) have been acting fine, until a couple weren't. I tried to save 3 and so far, have lost them all. One got dropsy, which I knew would be almost impossible to save, while two others developed ulcers that spread and began affecting their behavior. I probably waited too long to try and save them but I was hoping they'd battle back naturally. Once I saw them swimming oddly, I paid more attention and got them out and into a hospital tank. None made it. So, because others have similar ulcer/fungus patches on their bodies, went with the proform C I had bought a year or so ago. One dose last night, another happening tonight and one more tomorrow. Had to wait for warmer temps to keep the water temp up (though, it can be used in water 50F and lower). They say to do water changes but I'm adverse to doing that, so am keeping an eye and perhaps, my ministrations will be for naught. The water change (up to 50%) is to make the chemical more effective as one of the two components, the formalin, binds to floating/organic matter. And I DO have a fair bit of floating plants, though not a lot of floating organics. But the bog would have it and I figure once the proC hit there, it would negate some effectiveness. Hence, I stopped the flow to the bog, waited until night so the fish would NOT stir anything up from the bottom, and crossed my fingers. So far, no problem. Whether I'm positively affecting the fish has yet to be seen. I'm doing this now as those that have these ulcers (which, btw, most have had since mid/early summer and I've been monitoring to see if they grew etc) will be more vulnerable once winter hits and then into spring (when fish are MOST vulnerable). We'll have to see what happens over the winter, though. I'm hopeful the treatment will help.
Annnnnd, ad if that wasn't enough pond stress, about a month ago I noticed the largest turtle, a male we call Cap'n Jack, hadn't been seen. I went looking after 2 weeks but didn't find him hung up or caught in anything on the land-side of the pond, so just waited figuring he'd eventually show. Nada, he didn't and I went looking again--and found an opening in the screen that I attached to the pond wall bottom, on the east side. The earth had pulled it down (had fiberglas screen stapled and plastic chicken wire nailed there) and there was a gap that a persistent turtle bent on escaping, could probably do so. So, while I thought maybe it had died (caught in rocks/waterfall/etc or from some sickness I wasn't aware of), now I figure he got out and hopefully, at least, made his way back to the natural large pond at the street's end. And I have been taking them inside and overwintering for the past couple years, so began this process last weekend with only ONE turtle spotted and caught. Now I'm getting nervous; have the other two also escaped or died? I sent my gatorcam around the whole pond, taking out a lot of water lettuce so I could navigate the camera the whole way, and upon viewing the video, saw ZERO turtles. I couldn't believe it but had they too been lost? Was feeling a bit glum about the last half of the ponding summer, what with the loss of 3 koi, 4 others having similar ulcerous growths/wounds, and now, losing 3 of the 4 turtles I've had for the past 4 summers. Then yesterday, went out to feed the fish some garlic (supposed to work against fish parasites) and whaddya know--TWO turtles basking like usual! So, was really relieved but now, had to fetch them inside for the winter. I got one, the female named Gemma, fairly easily but spooked the other when I made a dive for it. He didn't come back up and it was getting darker so knew I'd missed my chance for the day. And I ALMOST had him but the net didn't scoop properly and he evaded my attempt! Came home today, peeked in, didn't see him and figured I might not get him in as we're expecting rain tomorrow, so he'll not be basking then. I went back out to be a sentinel and got lucky, spotting his head poked out amongst the water lettuce. This time, did my ninja trick and kept quiet--until mrsbrokensword joined me in the pondhouse and the turtle panicked and dropped down. But I knew it might yet come back as he hadn't seen the net yet. So, waited again and voila! he swam under the water lettuce until he was practically OVER my submerged net! It got a bit tricky as he was in amongst the water lily pots and my net was in front, so I gave it a shot and just barely managed to scoop him up as he dove again.
So, got the remaining 3 tucked away in the basement pool (which btw, has suddenly developed what I suspect is a BOTTOM leak!!) and now, I'll begin working on trimming water lilies, taro, and starting to lay in the winter tent wood structure next week (probably!). At least this story has a small silver lining!
And that's the state of the pond at the brokensword residence!
