Is this koi sick?

[Shannonpwns]

I saw this beautiful platinum koi at petsmart today and I REALLY want to get it, but it looked like it has missing scales. Is this something to be concerned about? I read that it could be parasites or just flashing from being unhappy or bad conditions of water. So I wanted some opinions please! If you can tell from the pics, he wouldn't stay still...

 

[Mmathis]

Personally, I would never buy a fish that I had a question about. Or even if its tank mates are questionable. Can't really tell too much about this fish, though.

 

[Shannonpwns]

I know, I don't know a lot about diseases and stuff so I just wasn't sure if it may be normal or not. The 'missing scales' are along the top of the kois back behind its head. It's only the top half of its body. It may not even be missing scales, it is hard to tell even in person, because they are all white, but it looks off white and not shimmery where the scales may be missing.

 

[Waterbug]

There's no way to tell. Missing scales could be something, could be nothing. The fish could have something other problem. Not sure how sure you are scales are missing. Many Koi can have very odd scale patterns that could look like missing scale. Has to come down to price and how much you like the fish. Best to check their guarantee and quarantine the fish.

 

[Shannonpwns]

That's what I was thinking, was to quarantine it. It's only about 3 inches long. But I only have a 10 gallon tank that is empty. And a 20 gallon bucket. I'm really not sure how well a koi would do in either of those situations. That would mean buying a filter for it also. And lots more water changes added to my days i think lol. It's only $7 and they have a 2 week return policy on live animals.

 

[Waterbug]

That's what I was thinking, was to quarantine it. It's only about 3 inches long. But I only have a 10 gallon tank that is empty.

That would be a perfect QT size for a 3" fish. Yeah, you do have to watch ammonia and deal with it, but no way around that. Just a month. Question is how much you want the fish. Can't beat the price and 2 week return is very fair imo.