Is this a Problem?

[LibraKoi]

The report came back and they didn't see any infections present, It is thought to be a Vit. C deficiency. The vet sent me some things to do-Spirulina, Vit. C that goes in the water and green leafy veggies chopped. He also sent me a medicine to try for the white spots. I have 2 that seem to be getting arched like the others and 3 that still hide face down or on their side in the plants. I am very frustrated.

I am attaching the food I have in the house and some vitamins I got yesterday. The vitamins say 1 drop per gal. once a week and several drops on food once per day. He wants me to add a vit. c to the water. I looked on Amazon and only saw one from Kent for Marine fish. This bottle says to hold a KH of 8-12 as the product is acidic. My KH is 2. So what other ways can I add Vit. C without dropping my PH? I saw an article that said Sodium Ascorbate is neutral and doesn't affect PH as much as Ascorbic Acid. Where do I get that? Also what leafy green veggies do I get and can I just put them in the food chopper?

The Malachite Green he wants me to use doesn't have a lot of instruction on the site. It doesn't say anything about salt with it. I also don't have any carbon--only sponge filters. So how would I get rid of it after the treatment? I probably still have antibiotics in there from that treatment.

I am looking for help as I have obviously done this to them by not providing them with what they need. I feel horrible about this and have to help those that are still struggling.

 

[Tula]

Honestly, if I were you I'd ask these questions on Koiphen, as it's a dedicated koi site. I can see why you're frustrated, you've been given quite a few instructions and don't know if they can be done together, what treatments remain in the water etc.

Your other option would be to try and do the things the vet recommended, knowing you're doing the best you can and are trying.

 

[Tula]

Another thought, if the fish are still not very strong...I wouldn't worry about trying to add chopped leafy greens at this time....it sounds like you'll be lucky to just get them to eat. I would focus on what you consider to be the most important part of the treatment first, then add in the other ideas as they recover.

 

[LibraKoi]

Another thought, if the fish are still not very strong...I wouldn't worry about trying to add chopped leafy greens at this time....it sounds like you'll be lucky to just get them to eat. I would focus on what you consider to be the most important part of the treatment first, then add in the other ideas as they recover.

Thank you. I would think the Vit. C is important as that was his focus. I just have to find it and hope it doesn't drop my PH as KH is low. I will try Koiphen and send the vet another email. I just thought maybe someone has experience with Vit. C and had some ideas on what to use.

 

[Tula]

Thank you. I would think the Vit. C is important as that was his focus. I just have to find it and hope it doesn't drop my PH as KH is low. I will try Koiphen and send the vet another email. I just thought maybe someone has experience with Vit. C and had some ideas on what to use.

I'm sorry I can't help, but have no knowledge of vitamin deficiency in developing koi. Keep us posted on your progress please.

 

[WaterGardener]

Do you have a KH test? If so, what is that value?

Any antibiotic can crash your cycle, since it won't distinguish between the beneficial bacteria in your filters and the bacteria in your tank and on your fish.

If you KH is low, your pH will not be stable and can go acidic, killing your filter bacteria and putting enormous stress on your fish. It's very simple to raise the KH with baking soda and there is no harm to the fish by doing this. It can raise the pH, but that won't harm the fish either.

Also, you might want to use a high range pH testing kit instead of that wide range one.

My motto is to always fix the water first. The best medicine is good water.

 

[Ray G]

So I ensure my koi get vitamin C by giving then some pieces of oranges to eat which they love. Great source of Vit C. I also have my koi eat cooked pumpkin which they also love (good source of Vitamins in general). They take a day or two to get use to it and dont leave it in the water uneaten for more than about 12 hours. My question is are your surviving fish behaving well and swimming freely?

Ray

 

[Lisak1]

I wonder how fish get vitamin C in nature? I would assume that if it's important, any commercial fish food would include it, right?

 

[WaterGardener]

Evidently, vitamin C is found in algae, greens and fish eggs.

The food I use definitely has it, so I would think others would have it as well.

 

[Ray G]

I wonder how fish get vitamin C in nature? I would assume that if it's important, any commercial fish food would include it, right?

Yes my fish food (both summer and winter) have Vitamin C in it. It is important for fish development (and human) so it is always added to quality fish food.