Barrel Role

[Andy41]

Hi guys,

I've got a question....

I've noticed over the last few weeks that the fish, Koi and Goldfish, have taken to huddling up together. They pick a plant container, and then all lay on the bottom next to it. Strangely the don't mix... so the 6 koi stay together, and the goldfish. Here's a pic of the koi....

I'm not really worried by this.. all of them do it, and they look and act healthy....

The only thing i have noticed which is a bit odd, is that the biggest fish here in the picture (Orange and white), Bill, has taken to doing barrel rolls. He'll swim off, then do a complete roll, swim a bit further, and do it a again. He only does this a few times a day as far as i've noticed. He doesn't rub against anything when he does this.

Anyone else noticed this?

I've also noticed that the other fish constantly chase him and prod his backside... so maybe i should stop calling him 'him' and start saying 'her'?

Cheers,

Andy

 

[DrCase]

Yes it sounds like he needs a name change !! billy jean

 

[sissy]

maybe SHE has come up with HER own form of mating dance and all the guys just like her .And yep billy jean sounds better .Good healthy male competition for the females attention .Koi hug

 

[Andy41]

A mating dance? I like that, and Billy Jean is a good suggestion... cheers Dr Case.

 

[addy1]

My gf have been hanging around the pots, I think part of it is there is no coverage of plants on the pond and they feel naked

 

[Priscilla]

I don't have a lot of experience here, but I'd also say Bill is looking a bit plump. I like Billy Jean!

Lol!

 

[HARO]

Hmmm... for an Austrian koi, perhaps 'Wilhelmina' would be more appropriate?
John

 

[Dave 54]

Hi guys,

I've got a question....

I've noticed over the last few weeks that the fish, Koi and Goldfish, have taken to huddling up together. They pick a plant container, and then all lay on the bottom next to it. Strangely the don't mix... so the 6 koi stay together, and the goldfish. Here's a pic of the koi....

View attachment 69901

I'm not really worried by this.. all of them do it, and they look and act healthy....

The only thing i have noticed which is a bit odd, is that the biggest fish here in the picture (Orange and white), Bill, has taken to doing barrel rolls. He'll swim off, then do a complete roll, swim a bit further, and do it a again. He only does this a few times a day as far as i've noticed. He doesn't rub against anything when he does this.

Anyone else noticed this?

I've also noticed that the other fish constantly chase him and prod his backside... so maybe i should stop calling him 'him' and start saying 'her'?

Cheers,

Andy

Hi Andy mate notice that all the koi's dorsals are down and that the largest koi's fins are clamped , this barrel roll is more than probably an attempt to stop irritation.
Please tell me is the tail of your largest koi suffused with tiny viens at the moment plus anything else you can see ?
So you most probably have a parasite problem in the pond at this present time as such and to be on the safe side could you get your friendly Austrian koi dealer out to give them a scrape just to see what your up against mate ?
What are your water perameters at the moment I need to discount that as a possible cause to this, when was the last time you did a water change and any maintenance on your filtration ?
Sorry about the questions but they need answering my friend

Dave

 

[Andy41]

@john... 'Wilhelmina'

@addy.... They definatley like cover. I've got a bridge going over the pond and they all hide under that sometimes, but the 'sleeping' around the pots is relatively new.

@Dave... Hi Dave, i used the test strips at the weekend, and everything looked fine. The filter was flushed out last weekend, i'm going to clean it again today. I'll check 'her' tail when i get home. She wasn't interested in food this morning, which is a bit odd. When she does the barrel role she's in open water. I've never noticed her bumping against anything, but now you mention it the mrs has seen her bumping against the skimmer we have in the pond.... hmmm. I'll ring the koi guy.

cheers,

Andy.

 

[Dave 54]

Just been out feeding my crowed got caught in the mother of all shower's which had me stuck under the ponds parasol for 10 whole minutes before it stopped .
Didnt stop them eating though
Yes the koi guy is a good idea mate , it may be nothing but its always better to be on the safe side a quick scrape should show if its parasites

Dave

 

[dieselplower]

I also noticed the clamped fins which is definitely cause for concern. I woldnt trust test strips either.

 

[Andy41]

So i spoke to the Koi guy yesterday, and he reckons it could be parasites, so Billy Jean got a salt bath last night. Here's a pic.....

I checked the tail and couldn't see any obvious problems. Also no signs of scratches, wounds, or injuries.

I'll keep an eye on her... the koi guy has offered to come out and visit if she doesn't respond to the salt bath.

cheers,

Andy.

 

[Priscilla]

Looks like she's enjoying that. Her fins certainly aren't clamped in that picture.

What's the ratio of salt/water for parasites? For how long?

 

[Andy41]

@Priscilla 20g / litre, 15 mins. That bath had 15l in it.

Noticed another behaviour yesterday though. My deck extends over the pond slightly and she spends a *lot* of time hiding under there. When she does come out and swims around it almost seems as if she can't judge distances, or is a bit disorientated. She's also lost interest in food, and when she does eat it she seems to spend a lot of time just watching the food, and then makes a sudden lunge for it, to the extent that she almost leaps out the water.

Going to phone the Koi guy today and explain all this, but anyone else seen this behaviour before?

cheers,

Andy.

 

[Dave 54]

What were the results of the phone call mate , is he coming over to give your koi a scrape to see what we are up against here mate ?

Dave