Update on the Koi

[Vela]

I don't think anyone was trying to really be negative Nicole, they are just telling you the truth. They are also correct. I used to have a lot of fish and Koi are just not good tank fish. Very difficult to keep healthy and alive, and those tanks aren't big enough for them. I realize you are doing your best with what you have, but the truth is still the truth, even if it sucks. Nobody here is trying to hurt you for the most part, as far as I can tell, but it's still correct information, even if it's not what you might wish to hear. Your fish or the landlady's fish doesn't really matter, just keep up with the water changes and try not to overfeed, but it's not a situation where they will thrive and stay healthy long term. Good luck with them, I hope it works out.

[IRescue452]

I think you've finally met people who treat fish like pets and love them, and you just don't know how to deal yet. we're aware that most people could care less about fish and aren't going to take this advice, but better to give it than to give up.

The truth is, you're poisoning these fish. Their bodies are being chemically burned as I type. Fish actually are not meant to live in their own waste. Naturally there are bacteria that coexist with fish and consume the chemicals given off in their waste and give off less harmful waste. When the bacteria are non-existant, the fish die. Its slow and painful for the fish. Cycling established that bacteria in a tank, but with so many fish in such a small tank you just can't grow enough bacteria to compensate for the waste load.

I can tell you by the pictures that it looks like the small fish in the 10 gallon are suffering ammonia poisoning. You need to get a test kit if you don't have one already. Every day you should be testing the water. I'm sure you'll find for the first few weeks that you should be changing the water almost daily or every other day. You might even see physical signs of healing when the ammonia is taken care of (fish often turn black while healing wherever their skin was burned from ammonia).

As far as overfeeding goes, you're not overfeeding. Feeding suggestions for tank owners are made so the owners have the least maintenance. Less food = less waste. To me, its cruelty. Starve your fish so that the ammonia levels don't get out of control. That's exactly what a pinch a day per fish will get you. Its what people have to do when they don't have time or knowledge of proper care. Granted the choice for the fish is either: be hungry all the time or be constantly poisoned by my water. No wins for the fish in either situation.

[IRescue452]

Oh I forgot to add. You have to get test drops in bottles, not test strips. Dry test strips start to break down their chemical composition when they are opened and exposed to air. The first one will be pretty accurate but the next strips you use will be less and less accurate as time goes on.

[shepgirl]

Actually Koi aren't tank fish period. We have a young couple who specialize in landscaping and ponds out here and Koi have always to my knowledge been pond fish. Lots of people here have ponds in their yards and they even build up small falls, in them. It does wonders to beautify a property. Koi are the main kind of fish that are seen along with goldfish. Since we have pretty severe winters there are covers to put over the pond during the winter. Koi will become dormant around-10F and don't eat during the winter. In summer the ponds have nets to protect them from geese or other prey birds who in one swoop would swallow a Koi near the top of the pond. Raccoons are also notorious for raiding ponds for Koi, hence the netting to keep them at bay.
Keeping Koi in a tank is cruel in my opinion.

[NicoleLJ]

Yeah well your opinion Shepgirl never ment much to me at all if anything really. I am doing all I can to help these fish and this morning both these tanks are clear which I was very happy to see. If you want to keep being negative in your life go ahead but I am still going to do all I can to help these fish.

[shepgirl]

Yeah well your opinion Shepgirl never ment much to me at all if anything really. I am doing all I can to help these fish and this morning both these tanks are clear which I was very happy to see. If you want to keep being negative in your life go ahead but I am still going to do all I can to help these fish.

Nobody's opinion is ever worth much to you no matter who or what it hurts. you keep posting in the guise of asking for help but the posts are for nothing since no matter who says what you blunder on ahead with what you feel like doing anyway. A clear tank doesn't mean hoot - Koi are not meant to be in a tank unless it's larger than you could ever find. They are pond fish and always have been to my knowledge and seeing them trapped in a tiny tank bumping on the glass is cruel as far as I'm concerned. Worrying about finding dead Koi is not being negative it is being concerned. Like having too many pets that then have to be disposed of. But then, out of sight, out of mind.
I would think there are more important issues to deal with than Koi right now...

[NicoleLJ]

LOL Please do not put me in the same catagory as yourself. I would never want to sink that LOW thank you very much.

If it was not for me taking on these fish for the landlady then listening to the advice of a forum member on a fish forum The tanks would still be cloudy. And yes they can live in tanks at the size they are at thank you very much. I was making many mistake and I can admit it. But at least I was trying to help the fish. I was over feeding them so he told me the right amount to feed. He told me to empty the tanks out 75% and add fresh water at the right temp. Since I did as he told everything is improving. I woke up today to two clear tanks. So you may want them to die to make me look bad or talk like you know what you are talking about but at the size they are they are ok as long as I do as instructed. THen they will stay health. And they are healthy/ THat is why I took the close up shots so he could check them out. He said they are doing very well. So if you want to be negative fine. But I am willing and am putting the work in to keep these fish healthy. Whether you like it or not. SO keep talking trash. Your the only one that looks bad. I just look to the side and see my happy beautiful fish.

[blue]

What type and size filters are on the tanks? Do the filters have charcoal or an amonium absorber in them?

[shepgirl]

Sorry but my friend said to be healthy a Koi needs a 1000L tank. The ponds they build are13,600 l. big so please spare me the drama of saving the poor little fishies. Yeah, videos mean a lot don't they...hope they last longer than poor Luca's videos.
And spare me the song about the landlady , John has filled me in on things.
For those poor fish I can only feel sorrow.

[Twisterdog]

I don't think anyone was trying to really be negative Nicole, they are just telling you the truth. They are also correct. I used to have a lot of fish and Koi are just not good tank fish. Very difficult to keep healthy and alive, and those tanks aren't big enough for them. I realize you are doing your best with what you have, but the truth is still the truth, even if it sucks. Nobody here is trying to hurt you for the most part, as far as I can tell, but it's still correct information, even if it's not what you might wish to hear. Your fish or the landlady's fish doesn't really matter, just keep up with the water changes and try not to overfeed, but it's not a situation where they will thrive and stay healthy long term. Good luck with them, I hope it works out.

Couldn't have said it better. You are hearing the same thing over and over because it is the truth and the truth doesn't change.

[NicoleLJ]

Sorry but my friend said to be healthy a Koi needs a 1000L tank. The ponds they build are13,600 l. big so please spare me the drama of saving the poor little fishies. Yeah, videos mean a lot don't they...hope they last longer than poor Luca's videos.
And spare me the song about the landlady , John has filled me in on things.
For those poor fish I can only feel sorrow.

DOn't you dare bring Luca into this. It broke my heart when I had to find him a new home. And I have no idea who this John person is. Certainly not the lady who got Luca. SO you shut your mouth. You are not even worthy to talk about Luca. I did the best I could by him and he is now very happy. As for helping these fish if it makes me a bad person in your eyes good. I will keep helping them to the best of my ability. I have only lived here since last week. I can only do so much and I think considering all I am doing quite well.

[blue]

Ive kept tankbusters, stingrays, and shovel cats. Ive also had way to many plecos in a tank for breeding.

If you have the recomended filtration for the size tanks you have, double or triple it. Ive used carbon and charcoal in the filters with good results on crowded tanks but never anythin to absorb ammonia.

Koi, goldfish, stingrays, and most catfish are all poop machines and mechanical filtration is best and alot of it.

If you not on the second floor of your building consider an indoor pond.

[shepgirl]

I can feel sorry for Luca same as I feel sorry for the Koi. He was taken out of spite and he paid the price. Again everyone gave you advice about him which you refused to follow so please spare me----go tell it to Dr. Phil....

[NicoleLJ]

How dare you little witch talk like that about Luca. He was not given away out of spite. You shut up about things you know nothing about. Part of my heart left when he had to leave. You have no heart at all. That is for sure. Now you drop the subject of my Luca or else I will bring up all your dirt. Like how you rejoined this list under a different name,(Mike001) or how you are a stalker, or how you can never back up anything you say. or how you are an expert on everything or knows someone that is on everything but can never prove it.

At least I can prove who I am, at least I am trying to help these fish that were given to me. At least I am trying to follow some of the advice that makes sense to me and that I can afford.

You on the otherhand have nothering to spew but insults and ugliness when it comes to anything about me and I am sick and tire of it. GO find a new victim this one just quit!

[IRescue452]

I think this thread needs to be locked. And I hope you take my advice about buying a water testing kit.