Frog attached to Koi

[LindaB]

Originally Posted by jeanne

as im new to keeping koi and one of my koi seems to be getting fat(its not a large koi) but could it be pregnant or ill any advice

I think its a little early for any fish to be ready for spawning, so keep a close eye on the size of your koi. If it gets fatter and fatter and the scales start to protrude and the eyes start to look a little on the pop-eye side, then it could be dropsy (for which there is no cure as such and will not infect your other fish). No point in going into detail about dropsy at this point in time, just keep your eye on it.

[Lisaj]

Originally Posted by LindaB

Thats good Lisa - hopefully there arent any wounds, and quite often with minor scrapes, they will clear up on their own if the water quality is good. If, however, you do see any marks that look in the least bit red rather than a pink mark, then you can always apply an anti-bacterial treatment to the pond.

Thanks again Linda, there are definite marks on the head but doesn't seem too bad. My husband has added a little stress coat for good measure. Net fitted this evening.
I think I will create a small shallow watery area at the bottom of the garden as a froggie diversion!

Not that experienced with the pond life so can't give much advice to Jeanne sorry although glad to know of someone else who's had the same trouble - we had a fleeting concern of a mutant derranged frog with issues!!

[jeanne]

Originally Posted by LindaB

I think its a little early for any fish to be ready for spawning, so keep a close eye on the size of your koi. If it gets fatter and fatter and the scales start to protrude and the eyes start to look a little on the pop-eye side, then it could be dropsy (for which there is no cure as such and will not infect your other fish). No point in going into detail about dropsy at this point in time, just keep your eye on it.

thanks for the advice,do you know linda how long would the koi suffer with (dropsy)if he has it ,and do you know how they contract it ? thanks again jeanne

[LindaB]

Originally Posted by jeanne

thanks for the advice,do you know linda how long would the koi suffer with (dropsy)if he has it ,and do you know how they contract it ? thanks again jeanne

Hi jeanne
Well the length of time the koi suffers with it would vary from onset to death, or euthenasia, so I cant be specific I am afraid.

It is considered to be a bacterial problem, and not considered to be infectious to other fish. Who knows though, it could even be an internal defect in that fish whereby their body develops this problem - its one of those diseases where there is not 100% proof of what actually causes it, although they do know it could be temperature related (especially where koi are concerned, kept in unheated ponds outside) and also 'could' be related to poor water quality and a suppressed immune system.

It is basically an osmoregulatory problem whereby the fish cannot control the fluid content in its body, and will eventually drown in its own fluids, this is why it bloats. Sounds awful and it is. There have been 'odd' cases where, if caught in the very early stages, it can be successfully treated, with warmer water and salt baths/medication, but it is unusual for a fish to recover. It will affect pond fish as well as, say for example, tropical fish kept in a tank.

I have tried to explain it in the simplest terms possible. If it turns out that your fish definitely has dropsy - and you will know in time if it has - then the kindest thing is to euthenase the fish.

Hope the above helps.

[jeanne]

hi linda thanks for the advice re koi (dropsy) i will keep a close eye on it but its a shame if he has got it! i also have a tropical fish tank indoors and have seen over the years that some of my fish that get other diseases such as swim bladder and its not very nice when you can see them suffering and after a few days knowing that they will die unpleasantly having to take them out (being cruel to be kind but as ive said im newish to keeping koi,and unlike aa aquarium you can see whats going on,although ny pond outside is totally clear its not so easy jeanne

[LindaB]

Originally Posted by jeanne

hi linda thanks for the advice re koi (dropsy) i will keep a close eye on it but its a shame if he has got it! i also have a tropical fish tank indoors and have seen over the years that some of my fish that get other diseases such as swim bladder and its not very nice when you can see them suffering and after a few days knowing that they will die unpleasantly having to take them out (being cruel to be kind but as ive said im newish to keeping koi,and unlike aa aquarium you can see whats going on,although ny pond outside is totally clear its not so easy jeanne

You are welcome jeanne Fingers crossed its nothing to worry about. Yes, it is far more difficult to see what a problem is with a pond fish, all you can do is observe as best you can, and only when needed, net the fish into an inspection bowl - if you do ever need to handle your fish, always wet your hands first before touching them (preferably wear disposable gloves).

Good luck with your koi.

[Lisaj]

I've been worried the past couple of days as my fish (which are koi & gold) have been floating/ looking jaggedy (but not like they have fungus) and dying off - we've lost 8 in the last few days - they have had fungus/bacteria treatment yesterday - stress coat in the last couple of days and fine netting to prevent frogs since the trauma and am at a loss what to do next - any suggestions?

[LindaB]

Originally Posted by Lisaj

I've been worried the past couple of days as my fish (which are koi & gold) have been floating/ looking jaggedy (but not like they have fungus) and dying off - we've lost 8 in the last few days - they have had fungus/bacteria treatment yesterday - stress coat in the last couple of days and fine netting to prevent frogs since the trauma and am at a loss what to do next - any suggestions?

Lisa

You need to give lots of details about your pond: how big is it roughly ie how deep and how many gallons do you think it holds, stocking levels of both koi and goldfish and size of these koi, and what filtration do you have?

This could be lots of different things. Koi are specialised fish really and have different requirements to goldfish. They need good water (clear water doesnt necessarily mean its good). They need a good depth of water and very good filtration that needs to be regularly maintained.

Have you taken any water tests like PH, ammonia/nitrite?
Stress coat wont really do anything to be honest, stress coat is something that I only use in my tropical tank when I add clean water. I used to add tap water conditioner to my koi pond when fresh water was added, which was every week after filter maintenance and topping up with clean water.

Lots of questions and answers first Lisa.

[marmalize]

i had this problem about 4 years ago...frogs 'raped' and ultimately killed all 6 of my fish this way....fish had been in the pond for about 3 years but as soon as they became the right 'girth' the male frogs attatched to them...the reason is that male frogs will grab anything frog sized if it 'croaks'(as male frogs do) they let go and try something else...as fish don't croak they just hang on in there in the hope that they are holding a female...i prised off the frogs but all the fish ultimately died..never restocked with fish...pond is now frog heaven....

[Lisaj]

Originally Posted by marmalize

i had this problem about 4 years ago...frogs 'raped' and ultimately killed all 6 of my fish this way....fish had been in the pond for about 3 years but as soon as they became the right 'girth' the male frogs attatched to them...the reason is that male frogs will grab anything frog sized if it 'croaks'(as male frogs do) they let go and try something else...as fish don't croak they just hang on in there in the hope that they are holding a female...i prised off the frogs but all the fish ultimately died..never restocked with fish...pond is now frog heaven....

I think you have hit the right reason with the size of the fish being the "right girth" and age. The unfortunate koi of mine has been in the pond 3 years and is a nice size. The good news is after a few weeks the fish seems fine - I happened to be keeping an eye on a sick fish daily so spotted it early which may have helped.
Valuable piece of info for other koi keepers, many thanks and welcome to WAB