My Koi fish are dying... HELP?

Question

I just recently moved from the West coast to the East, by car none the less. I transported my Koi fish in the back of my SUV. Two days into the trip both of the Koi fish started leaning to their side, and then, after much fuss over them revived. Today, finally at our new home, the smallest of the fish once again fell to it's side. I tried every suggestion, and was unable to revive it. The problem, the other Koi is doing the same thing. Help. ASAP please!!!

Answer 1

Sounds like your biological filter has failed.  You didn't say anything about a tank, a filter, etc, so it's hard to help you.

BUT, in the move, did you provide fresh water ever?  A 2-day move could have resulted in the build-up of a great deal of waste from your fish from their breathing and from their waste.  Fish waste is in the form of ammonia, which is toxic to fish at even low levels.  At high levels, it can damage their gills or internal organs.  If you weren't supplementing the water with fresh water during the move, your fish may have been exposed to too much ammonia.

Now at your new home, it sounds like you'll need to cycle your tank again, which could take weeks.

Sorry for losing your fish.  Google "tank cycling" for what you need to do, even if you are keeping them in a pond with a pump.  The process of cycling will still need to occur.

Answer 2

Your fish are in shock. Transporting these fish over long distances impacts their physiology. Then putting them in a new environment is a second shock to their systems.

I would keep them in a breeder pond, or large tank, or isolate them from the main body of water. Make sure the water is well-aerated and that they are in the shade. Check the pH (acidity), ammonia (base), nitrites, and nitrate levels of your tank water. If the water is new water, and their is no "eck" you need to isolate them to a smaller body of water that can get climatized for them and let them develop their body slime coating which gets rubbed off and damaged during the move.

You need to test the water. What is the water like in the new environment? Where are you getting the water from? Then use water conditioners to adjust the water to the right parameters. You can add salt to the water. The salt acts as a retardent to bacteria, and helps the Koi regerate their slime coating which protects them from new bacteria in the new environment. Salt helps treat stress:

Directions for Use:

1. When used as a general tonic for fish, and as a stress reducer, add 2 -1/2 cups full (728g) of Pond Salt for each 100 gallons (378 L) of pond water. Sprinkle salt evenly around the perimeter of the pond. Avoid any contact between salt crystals and pond plants. If this is not feasible, pre-dissolve salt first.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Once added to a pond, salt does not evaporate and is not filtered out. Pond Salt should only be added as directed; with each water change, or when fish have been treated with medications.

2. When used to reduce stress in separate treatment tanks or during fish transportation, use 4 tablespoons full (95.2g) of Pond Salt for each 10 gallons (37.8L) of water.

For the health of your pond and environment, it is important that you test pond water regularly. We recommend Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Dry-Tab Master Test Kit for Ponds to test for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

A second thought I had is this is Summertime. You hear of dogs and 4-year-olds being left in vans and dying? How hot did the water get during your move? Is there a chance that the water over-heated while you were staying in a motel or eating in a restaurant? I don't know how to treat Koi for heat-stroke.

Unfortunately, once Koi go into shock like this you will most likely lose them. Before transporting them you need to read up and get expert advice on how to do this. Get ready for the worse. Sorry...

Answer 3

Koi require ponds that provide 1,000 gallons for the first fish and an additional 150 gallons (min) for each koi thereafter.  Unless you are keeping your koi in a very large pond, they will die from ammonia poisoning.  Koi should never be kept in tanks.  On the East coast, you will need to ensure your pond is deep enough to prevent freezing solid in the winter.  Generally, koi are not good fish for the climate in the east coast unless you live in the Southern coastal States where temps don't fall below 40F.