Koi and Koi Ponds Water Gardeners Goldfish and Koi Nishikigoi Koi Filtration Pond and Koi Pumps Koi and Pond Supplies

10777 Lakewood Drive
Mineral Bluff Georgia 30559
(706) 374 3037

KoiCrisis - Fish in Trouble? Step by Step Evaluation of Your Case

Site Links

Symptoms Finder
You'll get a picture of the fish, you click on the fish where it's sick, or choose from several other behavioral options.
Sample Submission
Some quicker tests run at KoiLab for free, some samples move to UGA for testing at basic cost price. Diagnosis and consultation included.
What KoiCrisis Is For

OutBound Links

KoiVet.com
Probably the first and largest all-Koi health site on the web. Searchable, with chat and message board areas. Content by a veterinarian for fish and author, Dr. Erik Johnson.
KoiLab.com
If you're curious about the latest in Koi health, Koi Lab is where it's being learned. There are no "committees" and no "motions" to determine if we should learn something. Just clinical experience. It's a koi hospital.
KoiNews.com
As soon as we hear it, we post it. Verified Koi information centralized to one place. Got news? Fax it!
KoiTheatre.com
Not drama, not even dramatic. A conference center in North Georgia where seminars of all kinds are given. Seminar schedule, posted at this site.

Additional Resources

KoiClassifieds.com
Post an ad. Sell that old pump or filter, or anything else. No listing fees, for the forseeable future.
KoiFiltration.com
Non retail: All filtration, all the time. Site was designed for someone who wanted a balanced overview with illustrations and pictures. All types of filtration considered including Nexus, Vortex, bead, sponge, canister, etc.
KoiNutrition.com
Non retail: Just feeding, feed, and food. It's not a retail web site, it's all about different foods, feeding and nutrition.

Pondrx.com
Professional resource for valuable remedies that actually work, and have been tested. Medicine usage guides written by Dr. Erik Johnson. Service is second to none!
Pondrx.com
Relevance: A+

Aquadynamite.com
Use the pager number to get immediate help with your filtration decision. Aquadyne is the Rolls Royce of bead filters. For people who want to buy right, and buy ONCE!
Aquadynamite.com
Relevance: A

PondStuff.com
Imagine being able to go to ONE place to get everything you need to start, build and maintain a pond or water garden with fish. No "pressure" sales, real people, tested products, and not some 'fly by night' organization in a garage.
Pondstuff.com
Relevance: A+

Dissolved Oxygen

A fish pipes at the surface when the oxygen levels are too low.

Oxygen is obviously essential to fish health, but how much or how ittle? Two test kits are available, I would recommend owning one of them. There is another test kit at the pet store or here that is in a little vial you break in the water to be tested and collect a blue sample and compare it to a chart.

Minimum levels would be 5ppm. This level will permit fish to live a few days. Levels as low as 3ppm at least partially explain why fish are dying like flies. Levels as low as 7 could, and should be improved with an air stone o r Venturi pump. Levels over 8 ppm are desirable, but 11 or better (up to 14 ppm) are glorious. Low Dissolved Oxygen is an underestimated cause of fish losses, particularly because of its synergistic effects with other toxins like Ammonia.

Hypoxia is 'oxygen starvation'. Most koi ponds are usually well served with venturi retums or waterfalls, but poor pond maintenance, high stocking levels and unusual climatic conditions can lead to low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. Low DO is likely to occur in summer. As water becomes warmer it can progressively hold less oxygen: and the fish become more active, leading to a greater demand for oxygen; and the bacteria in the pond and filters need more to, as do submerged green plants including algae.

The role of submerged plants and algae should perhaps be clarified. During photosynthesis, submerged plants release oxygen into the water, which is why they are often called oxygenating plants. However, they also respire at the same time, extracting oxygen from the water and excreting carbon dioxide. During daytime they produce more oxygen than they consume, but at night, when photosynthesis ceases, respiration continues and they become net oxygen consumers.

Clearly, if the oxygen demand exceeds the oxygen supply then the DO levels will gradually decline and this presents a serious danger to the koi. Common causes of low DO, apart from high fish densities, are heavy feeding and a dirty pond or filter.

A lot of oxygen can be used in oxidising organic waste and, under certain conditions, this extra demand may be 'the straw that breaks the camel's back'.

Unfortunately, a DO problem often occurs in the early hours of the morning. when we are not there to see its direct effects on the fish, rather than during the day when submerged plants are releasing oxygen from photosynthesis.

Typical clinical signs of low DO are lethargy and a tendency for the fish to gasp at the water surface and congregate around water returns. Many of these signs are the same as for a gill problem so a test for DO has to be made to be conclusive. There are cheap DO test-kits available but it is important to follow the instructions carefully to avoid introducing oxygen into the water sample by agitation or by pouring water into the test phial. If low DO is the problem, i.e. DO is less than 5 to 6 ppm (mg/litre), then additional aeration will help - but it is essential to determine what caused the problem and to take remedial action.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Dear Aquadynamite.com,
"...The filter was installed yesterday...after 24 hours, I can SEE THE BOTTOM OF THE POND!!! (and this without the UV filter!) It isn't completely clear but after only seeing to a depth of 2 inches before the installation, I AM THRILLED, ECSTATIC, DELIGHTED AND AMAZED! Turning cartwheels - that is, I would be if I weren't so stiff from all that shoveling."
Rhonda R.

HI PondRx.com,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PROMPT SERVICE I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.
SINCERELY,
BERDINE M.

From: ROBY S.
Subject Re: PondRx.com SECURE SHOPPING ORDER - SHIPPING INFO
Thank YOU for your quick service!! My order arrived very prompt. Thank you for your assistance in getting my forgotten NitrAte kit into my prior order.
I'm happy to report zero nitrites and zero nitrAtes...

Dear Aquadynamite.com: "I have been so worried about getting a filter and working so hard to keep my pond clean, struggling to clean and maintain my crappy homemade filters, the pond has lost its pleasure. I work everyday cleaning these nasty foam pads and rocks and stuff I have. Sick of it!

Dear Aquadynamite.com: "After vacuuming out all that wet gravel, disposing of it and then shoveling in the new gravel - all 300# of it! by myself! - I'm not too keen on jumping in there and doing it again so soon!! I am ECSTATIC that I won't be facing that chore again - R Raulston

PondRx.com: "Thanks so much for all your help. I truly appreciate everything that you have done for me and so do my goldfish!
Talk to you soon,
A. H.

Dear KoiVet.com - You were my life line that first year....Bought your book - read it cover to cover, underlining along the way. So grateful for clear information from a person who had a sense of humor and no sacred cows (or would that be sacred koi?) and I still check your website regularly for any new tidbits and always look forward to the newsletters.

Aquadynamite.com
...When I realized I couldn't put off the UV any longer, you were the first (and only) site I went to - and the "experience" section was the first thing I read. No theory or "gosh, I was sure it would work" for this girl...I've been up to my knees in fish poop because of the half-a**ed theory of the guy who installed my filter, etc. so I definitely LOVED the experience part - complete with pictures and the "disposition".

Aquadynamite.com
I am, of course very interested in the password to your "deal" sight and although I will tell everyone of your products, I won't let on about the good deal I got.
David T.

PONDRX.COM: God bless you! I won't even tell my husband! This is very, very helpful. I thank you. "Rocky Road" thanks you! E Martinez

PondRx.com: From: Kim G. "I want to thank you so much for all of your help and information...I will let you know what happens, my fish are stable and the sores appear to be healing."
"PS You have a awesome web site!"

Aquadynamite.com: Ken L. " P.S. Last year I installed the Aquadyne system and am very pleased."

PondRx.com: "I recently placed an order with you and received it in 2 days which I thought was incredible service. I certainly will order from you again.
K. Clark

PondRx.com: "Thank you for your knowledge and care."
Catherine H.

Aquadynamite.com:
PS: The pond is 2,100 gallons...the first backwash was after 6 weeks - giving time to seed the filter. I love not having to clean pads anymore!!!! Great!
Thanks, R Maxwell

"Dear Doctor Johnson,
I'm still new at this, 3 years, but if there is one piece of advice I would give anybody: Buy the book!
Second: Get a good filtration system....
In that order.....
You are a great doctor and a valuable friend to koi and their keepers!
Thank you as always!"
Lea M.

Dear Dr. Erik,
The net & book I ordered arrived a day or 2 ago.... The net is great, just what I needed for my big guys. As for the book, it has to be the BIBLE of koi keeping! WAY more information than I wanted to know! (I mean this in a good way) I feel confident that if there is anything I need to know about koi, it will be in that book! I especially appreciate the honesty & frank quality of the book."

"The Debride was working well. [But] In my original applications of the Debride I totally did NOT think to turn him over to see if he had wounds other than the ones that were clearly visible.... As a consequence, even though I applied the Debride, I was too late...I will order the MediKoi food soon to have on hand in case of other emergencies like this one."
L.M.

"I'm a big fan of KoiZyme, The Scarecrow and my new Salinity meter. My Koi and comets like your new PondRx.com food and they really liked the Honey nut Cheerios earlier on! I tried the grapefruit last year but didn't get any takers."
Thanks-
Marcia L.

PondRx.com: "Thanks so much for your email!! You helped me out quite a bit!!! Take Care!"
Carin

PondRx.com: Thank you Erik I can't tell you how much I appreciate all that you've helped me with. You have been a blessing to me. Take care of yourself, and I will save your address for future use. Thanks again, Sincerely, Karen

PondRx.com - I wrote and talked to you about a problem with one of my Koi. You told me it sounded like flukes, and I treated for flukes and (Jaws) seems like a happy camper now!
Thanks again.
Bill & Kathie T.

PondRx.com - Tod M. - "You have been more than helpfull!"

About Debride: "I used the Debride religiously and my little guy is on the mend!"

Customer Message: "Doc Johnson Kicks ass! ...he didnt even pay me to say that but its true. Very helpful sites!" T. McMilian

PondRx.com Richard B. "Let me say...It's nice to know there's actually someone on the other end who is paying attention, and not merely looking to slap an order into the box without regard to the customer. Thanks - again! I enjoy doing business with you"

Aquadynamite.com: The Aquadyne filter is doing a good job, we do not have to clean filters anymore!!!!!
P&R Maxwell

PondRx.com "Wow! Thank you for answering my question so fast!
Bryan & Dawn C.

About PondRx.com
RECENTLY PLACED AN ORDER AND I RECEIVED IT FASTER THAN I THOUGHT I WOULD THANKS FOR THE QUICK SERVICE. Warren S.

Hi Doc Johnson,
I purchased a couple of items from PondRx.com. I just wanted to let you know that your descriptions on your site are excellent. I am a non-scientific type so it was very helpful to know what I was actually purchasing!!!!!

PondRx.com: M.M. "Order arrived in fine shape."

PondRx.com: "Thank you for the reduced shipping and for all your professional help!"
Sincerely,
Lea M.

PondRx.com: "Many thanks and I certainly appreciate your quick response to this situation. Its great doing business with someone like yourself. My Koi and Goldfish appreciate it also, I'm sure.
Dave

PondRx.com: - "I am glad that you are now offering products on the web that makes setting up a pond much easier."

Thank you for your time and incredible web site, Koivet.com
Deb
Akron, OH

PondRx.com
Dear Dr. Johnson:
To start I would like to thank you for your fast shipping and great service on my last order. I have never had such great service and speed of shipping!
DAN VEASEY

"Dr. Johnson, I want you to know you are a miracle worker. That fish was all but deceased, and you literally resurrected it. The next time I get sick, Iam not going to my M. D. friends, I am calling you."
G Darnell

About the book: "Your instructive writing is simple on its face, very user friendly, and packed with information - much appreciated, thank you.
Andrew B.

PondRx.com
Thanks again for all your help, your site is wonderful and the information is excellent. I love the book you and Mr. Hess co-wrote and find the medical section so helpful for what ails the little fishies.
Sincerely,
Chris J.

DR. JOHNSON-------AGAIN THANKS FOR ALL YOUR INFO YOU HAVE PASSED ON TO ALL US KOI HOBBYISTS, AND I REALLY HAVE TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH WE ALL LIKE YOUR WEB-SITE KOIVET.COM FOR YOU HAVE DONE A OUTSTANDING JOB ON GETTING INFO OUT TO PEOPLE LIKE ME-------THANKS AGAIN.
BEST REGARDS,
JOHN J.