I have two 10 inch koi and one 2 inch (had three but two have already died)in a 130 gallon tank. all was fine till yesterday morning when i noticed that they would not eat(weird) then they started hugging the top almost like they are gasping for air. I did a 30-40% water change added salt and used stress coat..i have 5 live plants, two 24 inch bubble bars, one 8 inch bubble stone, two power heads(circulation) 1 bio wheel 350 filter,one tetratec 500, and a system 1 diatom filter.
nitrite-0.5 nitrate-30 alkalinity-120 ph-7.6-8.0 total hardness is 120. any input would be great thanks
2007-03-08 07:18:51 · 4 answers · asked by manchesterfirm@verizon.net 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Your koi are classified pond fish which means they need LOTS of dissolved air. This is not added to your tank by tacking on bubble bars and air hoses. Dissolved air (DO2) which your fish require lots of only comes from water movement, ie filters, powerheads, fountains, waterfalls waves etc.
Drop the level of water in your tank 1-2 inches and allow your filter to DUMP water into your tank. This is the only way you are going to add the much needed air into the tank.
Your water seems to be fine, but what about ammonia? It could be spiking for other reasons. You really need to get it tested.
Sounds like you have a good system you just have to get the DO2 levels up.
your best defense right now until you can test for ammonia levels are water changes since this is really the only way to get rid of it. (The filter pads that claim pull ammonia out of the water, I have never found work all that great, and by the time it does start working, you could loose all of you fish.
If you need additional help feel free to email or im me.
I have koi but they are in out side ponds.
2007-03-08 07:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, I have come across an unexplainable situation a couple of times recently, where the answer was finally realized as some sort of toxin getting in the water. One time, perfume, one time, burned rubber fumes. You have great filtration/aeration, your nitrogen level seems to be okay, but you could have an ammonia spike. If it's new, it won't show with just a nitrite check. Your ph is a little high, but that shouldn't affect gasping at the surface. You were really pushing your limits with stocking level, so, losing those two smaller ones is going to help that situation. Don't replace those. How long since you did the water change? Any improvement with that? If it's a toxin in the water, that will definitely fix that. Check your filters. See what's around them. Are they possibly pumping any fumes, etc. into the water? And check specifically for ammonia.
2007-03-08 15:33:06 · answer #2 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Check your ammonia content and if your filters are working alright.Fish always come up to the surface of the water to take in air if there is hardly any oxygen in the tank.
2007-03-09 02:53:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is your ammonia at???
I'm no koi expert, but if you have .5 nitrite, you may have ammonia too. And ammonia and nitrite in ANY amount can be harmful. Check the ammonia. If it's high, do another water change. good luck
2007-03-08 15:27:36 · answer #4 · answered by timesdragonfly 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋