Mid~Atlantic Koi The Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
March 2013
Page 2 Mid-Atlantic Koi
March 2013
Mid~Atlantic Koi The Membership Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
Volume 26, Number 7
March 2013
—Upcoming Events Saugerties Chapter Message . . . . . . .28 2 MAKC Club Events . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Seminar, Mr Saito
Electrical Power Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Don Harrawood, KHA, Texas
MAKC Corporate Members . . . . . . . . . . .7
MAKC Koi Show
My Winter Project – Part 3 . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Diana Lynn Rehn, Washington
—MAKC News From the Editor’s Desk . . . . . .5 MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers . . . . . . . .26 Sunshine Column . . . . . . . . .28 Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . .28 F..A..S..T Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
A Future Koi Keeper – One Way to Engage the Next Generation . . . . . . . . . .12 Philip Gray, New York
Waiting for My Wordless Friends . . . . .17 Victoria Bustamante
Chilodonella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Bob Passovoy, Illinois
The Five Senses of Koi, Explained . . . . .20 Linda Montgomery, KHA, Oregon
Mid-Atlantic Koi Deadlines for articles, meeting announcements and ads
Monitor your Pond Water Temperature from your Living Room .21 Don Harrawood, Texas
April Issue Deadline: Available Online:
March 1 April 1
Koi Cartoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
May Issue Deadline: Available Online:
April 1 May 1
One Repair Leads to Another and Another . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Lisa Herrick, Texas
New Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Mayra and Ray Bustamante’s Pond
On the Road to a Koi Event . . . . . . . . . . .26 Koi Toilet Tattoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Ron Kardynski, Michigan
Picture to Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Photo by
MAKC Membership Application . . . . .33
Mayra Bustamante March 2013
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 3
President’s Message by Philip Gray Suggestions4MAKC@gmail.com Hello All: I know that you will join me in sending thanks and good wishes for all future endeavors to three people who have been critical to the success of MAKC for many years. Susan Boland and her husband Wayne Orchard were early MAKC members, and, over the years Susan has excelled in many positions: as President for several years; as Event Chair for many of MAKC’s annual Koi shows; and as Mid-Atlantic Koi editor for 16 years (from July 1991 through June 2007) and also advertising editor from November 2004 through December 2012. Ellie Cooper has also served as MAKC’s President and over the years has been the Event Chair for many of the annual Koi Shows, bringing excellence and enthusiasm to every role she has taken on. Recently Ellie served as the Fast Ads editor. Ruth Rice has had a major impact over the years on MAKC’s fundraising successes. She has made quilts, traveled across the country offering MAKC’s items for sale at various shows, and most recently has managed MAKC’s web-based sales. We deeply appreciate the contribution each of these members has made to the MAKC’s success and thank them for their exceptional service. One of our next goals is to identify an individual who is interested in taking on the responsibilities of Advertising Editor. If you have expertise in this area and would like to be considered, please contact me to discuss the details of this position. As many of you know, MAKC’s 2013 Annual Koi Show will be held from September 27-29, 2013 at Page 4 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Kodama Koi Farm Waterford Gardens 74 East Allendale Road Saddle River, NJ 07458 We are delighted that Duc Nyugen has agreed to be the Show Chair. I will take on the responsibilities of Event Chair, and we are searching for two additional leaders: the Facility Chair who will have responsibility for managing the Show’s water quality and with his/her committee for the set-up and take-down activities. The other lead position is Fundraising Chair. This leader, along with their committee, will have responsibility for lining up sponsors, identifying and securing donations, and for finding trophy sponsors. Both of these are key positions to ensure a successful event, so please call or email me to discuss your interest at suggestions4MAKC@gmail.com or 516-967-4966. MAKC and the Tri-State ZNA Koi Clubs are working collaboratively on a number of events in 2013 to support each other’s annual Koi Shows and to work together to better educate the Koi hobbyist. I am delighted to announce that on May 19th, both Clubs will be hosting a free seminar at which Masaru Saito from Shintaro Koi Farm in Japan will be talking about “Key Strategies and Techniques to Develop Quality Koi.” Saito San has been studying and raising Koi all his life, and his Go-Sanke are acknowledged as some of the finest in the world. In 1968 Saito San worked along side his father, Syosuke, raising Yamatonishiki , and then in 1994 he started Shintaro Koi Farm. Shintaro Koi Farm (www.shintarokoi.com) is a family owned and operated business, but many of Saito’s clients have traveled to his extensive mud ponds in Niigtata to help in the harvest and to learn more about raising exceptional Koi. This May, Saito will be bringing two Koi for each club to be raffled in support of the 2013 MAKC Koi Show. On the evening of May 19th Saito will President’s Message, continued on page 6
March 2013
MAKC Executive Committee
From the Editor’s Desk
Philip Gray
by Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com
Bernie Szer
Vice-President (516) 241-4655
gasssman246@aol.com
Dinah Bwint
Secretary (610) 287-9178
sanke@verizon.net
Carolyn Broussard
(703) 491-4921
now looks lovely, but in person, the cold doesn’t appeal to me and never did. A couple of our readers have submitted Pond-In-Snow pictures this month and Mayra Bustamante & her daughter, Victoria even wrote us a winter pond Poem. Thank you, Mayra and Victoria! I also want to thank Diana Lynn Rehn of the Inland Empire Koi & Water Garden Club for sharing her continuing experiment on the color development of Koi fry. Our president, Philip Gray has a great article to share with us on one Future Koi Keeper. We need more future Koi keepers to take over the hobby when we get “old” so let’s all work on our children and grandkids now to get them into pond care. Teach them about Koi at an early age. Thanks to Bob Passovoy of the Midwest Pond & Koi Society for his wonderful and educational article on the silent cold-weather killer, Chilodonella! This is one of the early spring parasites that can and does kill fish before they build up their immune systems in spring. And Don Harrawood of the Texas Koi Club has some ideas to help us monitor water temps from our warm living room in winter. He’s also a very handy guy to know if there are power outages. Check out his two articles in this issue. Then, we are very lucky to have Linda Montgomery of the Washington Koi & Water Garden Society give us some wisdom on the Five Senses of Koi and Lisa Herrick, President of the North Texas Water Garden Society, has shared her DIY experience in repairing leaks in the pond. My hat goes off to Lisa! She’s my new idol… Well, there you have it. This is a great issue for you and I hope you enjoy it! Please send me photos of your favorite Koi…
S
Your Koi Friend, Carolyn
Treasurer
Looking for a Volunteer Long Island Chapter Vice-President Bruce Levine
(516) 735-2644
makcmag@makc.com
(239) 573-6650 x105
Advertising Editor, Philip Gray
(516) 486-5163
philiegray@mac.com
Meeting/Events Editor, Joyce Spears (856) 478-2952 gjs63@comcast.net FAST Ads Editor, Ellie Cooper (610) 865-1163
mamakoi@verizon.net
Billing and Collections, Floyd Broussard (703) 491-4921
fbrou2801@verizon.net
Mid-Atlantic Koi is the magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club. Material is selected for its interest to Koi keepers. MAKC accepts no responsibility for accuracy of content. Reproduction of uncopyrighted articles is permitted as long as this magazine is credited as the source.
bruce@li-koi.com
North Chapter Vice-President Dan Bitcon
(973) 699-2186
DanVideo@aol.com
Saugerties (NY) Chapter Vice-President Herb Ehrich
(845) 247-7105
HerbEhrich05@yahoo.com
South Chapter Vice-President Chuk Nixon
(301) 717-7702
chuknixon@aol.com
Standing Committe es Membership Barry Hixson
(610) 262-5184 makcmembers@verizon.net AKCA Representative
Philip Gray
(516) 486-3807
philiegray@mac.com
ZNA Club Representative Nicole Lembke
(410) 867-0270
nlembke@aol.com
MAKC Sales Ruth & Gene Rice
(304) 725-2333
sew4Koi@comcast.net
MAKC Notice Group Manager Michael Snyder
(301) 762-2059
makc@imsnyder.com
WebMaster Wayne Orchard
(828) 693-3851 waynesorchard@gmail.com Japanese Cultural Coordinator
Floyd Broussard
(703) 491-4921 fbrou2801@verizon.net
Exe cut ive B o ard Adv is or y Committe e
Joe Zuritsky
Editor, Carolyn Weise
lynlee4@verizon.net
Central Chapter Vice-President
Wayne Orchard
Mid-Atlantic Koi Magazine
March 2013
President (516) 486-5163 philiegray@mac.com Cell (516) 967-4966
(828) 693-3851 waynesorchard@gmail.com (215) 575-4001 jzuritsky@parkwaycorp.com
Betty Roemer
(828) 697-2692
roroemer@mchsi.com
Art Lembke
(410) 867-0270
artsKoi1@aol.com
Mike Riordan
(732) 747-6089
Koidog1@verizon.net
Gene Rice
(304) 725-2333
RiceGene@comcast.net
Eric Wilson
(613) 421-7890
wilseric@rogers.com
Susan Boland
(828) 693-3851
makcmag@gmail.com
Ellie Cooper
(610) 865-1163
mamakoi@verizon.net
Ja p a n es e Cul tur a l Adv is er Misa Sitterly
(703) 490-0770
sitterly@comcast.net
MAKC Home Page: http://www.makc.com
Production: Cindy Graham, TC Publishing, Inc.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 5
Electrical Power Failures by Don Harrawood, KHA, Texas pond owner can lose all their Koi due to an electrical outage during a thunderstorm. The electricity at the pond can go off and be unnoticed for a period of several hours causing an inadequate supply of oxygen in the water. Most commonly electrical interruptions during a rain storm are caused by the tripping of a ground fault interrupter (GFI) that protects the pond from electrical problems. If GFIs gets damp, they will shut off the electrical circuit to the pond pump. GFI’s can be reset by pushing the reset button after a failure; however, if a pond owner is not aware of the circuit failure, pond water can go without aeration and ammonia removal for several hours before the failure is noticed. Pond water in summer months is about 80°F temperature or more. Warm water contains very little oxygen and needs to be continually aerated in order for Koi to survive. When electricity goes off, water flow stops and aeration ceases. Some safeguards for electrical failures are listed below:
A
• If the pond has more than one pump, put the pumps on separate electrical circuits. The dual system will increase safety. • If the pond has a waterfall, add an electrical driven aerator and put these on separate electrical circuits. • During power failures, one can use a portable gasoline driven generator to provide electricity during the power failure. These small generators can be purchased at Lowes, Home Depot, and Automobile parts stores. • A non-mechanical solution is to add 0.03% Hydrogen Peroxide to the pond water to supply oxygen. Apply 0.03% Hydrogen Peroxide at the rate of ONE QUART to FIVE THOUSAND Page 6 Mid-Atlantic Koi
GALLONS of pond water. Dilute this in a large container of pond water and spread along the edges of the pond. Agitate the water with a stick or paddle to spread the concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide as evenly as possible. An alternative is to pour some of the mixture in the water every few minutes rather than all at once. Keep it away from the fish as much as possible since this concentration when not mixed well with the water can be caustic to fish gills. This concentration should supply adequate oxygen for 3 to 4 hours . A quart of 0.03% Hydrogen Peroxide is handy to have on hand just for this type of emergency. If Koi are starving for oxygen, they can be seen at the surface gulping for air.
President’s Message, continued from page 4
be the honoree at a dinner to support both upcoming shows. The dinner is offered to MAKC and Tri-State ZNA members at a per person cost of $25. Space is limited for both events, so I encourage you to send your reservation promptly to Philip Gray, 211 S Ocean Ave, Freeport, NY 11520. (RSVP, no later than May 1, 2013). Japanese translators will participate in both events to ensure that you can understand the Koi lessons that Saito San is bringing to us. I look forward to seeing you at these events. As always, I welcome your partnership in our upcoming collaborative events, as well as your suggestions about what kind of events and topics you would like to see MAKC provide to its members. March 2013
M A KC
Corporate
Members
www.mazuri.com
Quality Koi Company Nisei Koi Farm 856-299-7564 info@qualitykoi.com
www.qualitykoi.com
Interested in becoming a Corporate Member?
East Coast – Patio Ponds, LTD 301-874-8440 West Coast – Laguna Koi Ponds 949-494-5107
www.MatalaUSA.com March 2013
Reasonable one time fee for the year – includes a Business Card size ad in all issues in this section and on the MAKC website. Contact Barry Hixson at 610-262-5184 or makcmembers@verizon.net Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 7
My Winter Project or How Do Koi Grow and Change Their Spots Part 3 - through December 2012! by Diana Lynn Rehn, Washington
Look Ma! We got whiskers!
ow does my garden of Koi grow? Quite well thank you! It is funny to see how some have grown to be almost 6 inches in length and others to 1.5 inches in length. I wondered aloud to a local Koi dealer who said that many times the more patterned a Koi is the slower it grows. I must admit, what she said seems to fit these baby Koi. The Tancho Kohaku is the biggest while the Utsuris are the smallest.
H
So I saw some flashing. This made me nervous as I knew that the parents were found to have some parasites. But what do you treat tiny babies with? I did some checking on line and read a few books. I finally decided to use some malachite green. Those babies tolerated the treatment very well. It did not seem to bother them one bit and, they are not flashing anymore. I even left the snails and the Page 8 Mid-Atlantic Koi
March 2013
Betty Davis Eyes or Reticulation? – Get that spot out!
plants in the water and they did fine also. I was concerned that if I didn’t treat the Koi, snails and plants, the parasites might piggy-back right back into the tank. Three days of treatment, 25% water changes before every treatment. Boy was I worried at that first treatment. I did think of using salt but I thought might be too harsh. Somehow all that salt for tiny babies scared me. I thought I might burn their little gills, but other chemicals are just as harsh. I knew Microbelift had a product that has malachite green in it that was supposed to be milder, but I needed to treat them now! No matter what you use, use all chemicals according to directions! Make sure you know gallons in your pond or tank. More IS NOT better. It can kill or harm your Koi. Wiggles no more: I named one Koi Mr. Wiggles. It seemed to have stopped growing a spine all the way to the tail. It uses just its head March 2013
and mid body to “wiggle” around and uses plants to support body as he is tired. Early in November I wasn’t sure if he is going to make it. After the malachite green treatment, well, the wiggles have stopped or slowed way down. Weird! So Mr. Wiggles still wiggles around some, but not near as much. I thought his spine was deformed or stopped short of his tail, but maybe not. Note: Now at the end of December, there is no more Mr. Wiggles! Or at least that I can identify as they are all swimming very normally. So, a new name will be picked. PeeWee: Is still not growing! He is almost too small to see. He eats but looks so small next to the others. He is so dang small. I don’t understand how he never grows. I am surprised he is still alive…maybe he looks like he is shrinking as others are growing so big. Now even Brutus is being overtaken by the tancho. One Kohaku Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 9
Group picture…like you can get them all to smile at the same time.
seems to want to stick by PeeWee’s side…sort of like a whale supporting its baby, really that is what the two look like. Maybe to fend off that other Kohaku that comes up and nips at little PeeWee. I know, most breeders would have culled PeeWee a long time ago. I just don’t have the heart to do that! Okay, on a very sad note: So Pee Wee kept making it right up to a couple of weeks ago. He still hadn’t grown. One day I looked and he was GONE! I suspect my husband of sucking poor little PeeWee up and down the drain in his daily water changes. Yep, I know that is what happened. Really, if PeeWee didn’t have the strength to keep out of the siphoning hose, Page 10 Mid-Atlantic Koi
well, then he would have died anyway. I was just so hoping he would grow up one day. So sad. Sparkly things distract: My daughter Cassandra hates to go shopping with me. She says sparkly things distract me. Well, one Kohaku is going to be named Sparkle. It keeps trying to eat the glass objects in the water. I have these small glass ornaments of snorkeling men, a snail, an octopus, in the Koi tank. They are all quite sparkly in the light! Well, you guessed it, that Kohaku is constantly trying to eat those ornaments. See, I am not the only one that gets distracted by sparkly things. March 2013
Bandit! He has raccoon eyes. The song “Betty Davis Eyes” by Rod Stewart runs through my head every time I see him. He looks like he has a mask on, but a bright white one. It is quite striking and it makes his eyes really stand out. Reminds me of an elderly lady that uses that white eye shadow! Yes, I know some old ladies like that, me included. Ha! So, this morning I was observing and discovered a small patch of beni coming up on Bandit. So, he is NOT a Utsuri after all. I suspect that these Utsuri’s of mine are actually Goshiki’s! They must be. I have noticed this last month how the reticulation on the scales seems to be coming out more and more. I can actually almost see this “netting” type effect on these baby Koi. So, another clue as to how Koi develop colors. Although these baby Koi come from quality stock, it is quite clear that none of these Koi are going to be “show-winners”, at least what I can tell from this point. I saw some pictures of baby
March 2013
Koi bred by a friend of mine, Sonja Kahkola in Florida. Her pictures of her baby Koi were quite striking, even though they were very small. Mine are not looking quite the same, at least at this point. No matter what, I am thoroughly enjoying watching them grow. I do not envy Koi breeders. Imagine having a spawn of 200,000 or more and having to continually cull until you get maybe 20 or less Koi that are worthy to be watched to see if any of them developed into “show” quality Koi. Of course I did not have the advantage of hand-picking only 20 top Koi, but got a mixed bag. I still have hopes to see what develops here with these Koi. I sure am quite fond of each of them. I am now watching their body shapes and that “hump” that Koi have behind their head. I see amazing differences in each and will report more on that next time. Until then, you all keep well and warm.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 11
A Future Koi Keeper – One Way to Engage the Next Generation by Philip Gray, New York and Keisha practically jumped out of her chair to assist. In this picture we are putting the demonstration tank together, and I am explaining some of the key skills each child needs to learn in order to take care of their fish. First in importance is learning how to keep the water in the tank clean by using a filtration system. We talked about how you need to change the water on a regular basis to make sure that the water stays clean, so that the goldfish can be healthy. Then we talked about what you need to feed your goldfish, and the importance of not over-feeding which can sometimes happen when we get excited to see our fish coming to the top of the tank to get fed. In this picture Keisha (left) is taking her role as assistant very seriously and is helping me (Philip Gray) to assemble the demonstration tank.
n the early summer a little girl named Keisha went with her parents to the first Annual Koi and Garden Show hosted by the TriState Koi Club at the Freeport Recreational Center on New York’s Long Island. Keisha was particularly excited about participating in a workshop titled, “Happy Fish.” Each child was promised a free fish tank, filtration system, and a gold fish to take home.
I
Keisha is helping me add clean water to the demonstration tank, which already has the filtration system in place. One of the important steps in making sure that the goldfish has the best chance for a successful transition to its new tank
At the beginning of the first “Happy Fish” class I asked for a volunteer to help me set up the demonstration fish tank, Page 12 Mid-Atlantic Koi
March 2013
is to make sure that the filtration system has a chance to work on the newly added water. The best set-up process would be to add fresh water to the new tank and allow the tank to sit overnight while the filtration system has a chance to clean the new water before the goldfish is added.
Finally, Keisha gets her own tank! She knows all about what she needs to do when she gets home to put her tank together, including the filtration system. Throughout the workshop we talked about what is needed to keep a goldfish happy in its new tank, and I answered the kids questions. The fact that Keisha was my assistant throughout Continued on next page.
How You Can Participate On May 31-June 2, 2013 the Tri-State Koi Club will sponsor their next Annual Koi and Garden Show at the Freeport Recreation Center. The following contributions would make sure that lots more kids like Keisha get a chance to start their journey as Koi Keepers: $10 –A Goldfish
Your contributions can be sent to the Tri-State ZNA Koi Club c/o Philip Gray 211 South Ocean Ave. Freeport, NY 11520 If you have questions about participating in the 2013 Tri-State Koi & Garden Show, please email me at PhilieGray@mac.com.
$40 – A Tank Set-up, Filtration, Lights and Fish $1,600 – Educational Material for 40 Kids March 2013
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 13
the workshop made the other kids see how this new world of ‘Koi Keeping’ was accessible to them. This is the last step for Keisha. She is having some help in getting oxygen into the bag that
holds her goldfish, so that she will be able to get her goldfish safely home. Many parents came up to me at the end of each workshop and expressed their thanks for making the process so understandable and for providing all the materials, including the fish for the thirty kids who attended the Happy Fish Workshops. They were amazed that this experience was shared freely and said that it was one of the main reasons why they came to the Koi Show.
Philip Gray Biographical Summary Keisha gets her own tank and we are putting her tank together. For this little girl the process of working step by step was very engaging and fun. She was so intent on making sure that she understood each step of preparation before she got her goldfish.
Page 14 Mid-Atlantic Koi
My philosophy of Koi keeping centers on sharing all that I am learning with other Koi hobbyists and ensuring a collegial atmosphere in the events in which I take a leadership role. Some examples of this leadership include my role as Chair of the Koi America Show for MAKC in Maryland (September 2011) and Chair of the recent and highly successful Koi Show sponsored by Tri-State Koi ZNA in March 2013
Freeport, New York (June 2012). I was elected President of the new Tri-State Koi ZNA Chapter in May 2011.
ing a close relationship with the individuals responsible for managing water quality in my community.
For the last four years I have enriched my Koi studies by completing intensives in Japan with a number of different Koi experts. I was honored to be asked to serve as a guest judge at a Koi Show in Nagaoka, Japan in October, 2011. Following each of these intensives I have shared what I have learned through articles appearing in KOI USA and Mid-Atlantic Koi.
Although I have been keeping fish since I was a very young boy; I have been studying and raising Koi since 2006.
I attribute my success in Koi raising to my exacting attention to water management, including maintaining daily and comprehensive written records of water parameters for all of my tanks and pond. Currently I am managing a total of 35,000 gallons of water. This management includes a rigorous schedule of cleaning and filtration management, as well as cultivat-
March 2013
MAKC Koi Show September 27 – 29
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 15
Diana Lynn Rehn’s Pond
Page 16 Mid-Atlantic Koi
March 2013
Waiting for My Wordless Friends by Victoria Bustamante That incredible moment when something catches your eye The breath you skip when beauty astonishes you That twinkle and shine that reflects off every snowflake The numb feeling that spreads through you and stops the time Beneath the cold and hard fragments of ice Under that layer of stone and stillness There lives the true beauty that some never see Colors that shine and eyes that hold you captive Barbells that tickle and hunger that never stops But only in the warmth of the sun will they emerge While the world is awake embracing the cold My Koi slumber until the time arrives When everything melts away and all that is left Is the wonder of creatures that make the wait of winter worth it For it is all better when the day comes When they open their eyes to the warmth of the sun
March 2013
ď ś
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 17
In Memoriam Charles (Chuck) A. Cooper Chuck Cooper, 73, of Bethlehem Twp. passed away in his home, on Monday, February 4, 2013. He and his wife, Eleanor F. (ONeill) Cooper shared over 45 years of marriage. Born in Peekskill, NY, he was the only child of the late Murray Cooper and Ann (Gold) Cooper Ostrom. Chuck graduated from Lakeland High School in Peekskill, NY and obtained his Associates Degree from West Chester Community College in New York. He was a Glass Artisan for the past 25 years and made Moravian Stars for the Moravian Book Shop. Chuck also enjoyed trap shooting. Survivors: his loving wife, Eleanor, sons, Dale A. Cooper of Bethlehem and Michael D. Cooper of Camp Hill. Services: Services are private. Arrangements are entrusted to the Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.longfuneralhome.com. ď ś
Mayra and Ray Bustamante’s Pond Page 18 Mid-Atlantic Koi
March 2013
Chilodonella by Bob Passovoy, Illinois
onsidering that winter is almost upon us, I thought it appropriate to discuss a parasite that is cold-water specific, and becomes a problem when water temperatures drop
C
below 68°F.
This is a ciliated motile organism whose targets are the skin and gills of your Koi, causing respiratory distress: clamping, depression and excessive mucus production that makes the skin look cloudy, white or even bluish. The gills are pale and mucus-covered. A wet-mount smear taken from the mucus will contain loads of these little buggers. These critters average slightly smaller than Trichodina, 20-40 x 30-80 mm, and are notched, giving them a heart-shaped appearance if you squint hard enough. If viewed edge-on, they are flattened and pancake-like. The cilia are arranged in two rows around the edge, forming a band around the body. The important thing about Chilodonella is that it is just getting started when all the other parasites are going away. It thrives in water temperatures as low as 41-50°F and take advantage of the reduced ability of the Koi immune system to fight them off. They reproduce by binary fission (like an amoeba); reproduction stops at 68°F and they die in warm water.
its presence or have confirmed it by microscopic examination. 2% salt “dip” works, and 2 – 3 lbs salt per 100 gallons water will suppress them, one of the few applications where salt actually works. Preventative measures include avoiding overcrowding and overfeeding. Eliminating organic debris in the pond is key. Reprinted from the Midwest Pond & Koi Society Newsletter.
www.makc.com
Proform-C works on these organisms, as it does on most protozoan parasites, but it shouldn't be used at low temperatures. A pre-winter course of the agent while the water is still relatively warm (50 to 60°F) could be considered if you suspect March 2013
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 19
The Five Senses of Koi, Explained by Linda Montgomery, KHA, Oregon
or years the Northwest Koi and Goldfish Club has helped with Children’s Day at the Japanese Garden. This is such a wonderful and fun experience, but the children can really keep you on your toes with some of the questions that they ask. Those inquisitive little minds can come up with some real whoppers and force you to go home and get out all of your books to find the answers to their challenging and fun questions. It was interesting that many of their questions have to do with the five senses and it was fun to point out to the children that Koi have five senses just like we do.
F
As is often the case when you try to find the answer to a question, I learned a lot more than I bargained for and found the “five senses of Koi” very interesting! Most of the answers to these questions were found in the course material that AKCA provided the KHAs with their KHA program. Question: Do Koi smell? Answer: Whew! Do they! Seriously though, Koi do have a very good sense of smell. An extremely acute sense of smell, along with their sense of taste, are their primary senses in finding food in their natural environment. When food dissolves in water, it can then be detected by their nose by the “nares” that are located at the base of their nostrils. The nares can be thought of as U-tubes, as the water enters through the forward opening and exits through the rear opening. Water does not flow to any other part of the body from the nares.
Page 20 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Question: Why do they have whiskers? Answer: Those whiskers are called barbels and they have them to help them taste. In a way, they are similar to your tongue as they have taste buds on them. Many, many years ago, Koi had three [sets of] barbels; now they only have two. Koi also have taste buds on their mouth and lips, so they have an excellent sense of taste. Question: Do Koi hear…they have no ears? Answer: Yes, Koi do hear even though they have no external ears. This is accomplished by the Koi sensing vibrations in the water. Here is where it gets a little complicated for the children to understand; but the Koi hear with what is called the Weberian Ossicles, a group of bones that are connected on one end to the forward swim bladder and on the other end to the auditory center, a sensing organ that resembles our inner ear. Koi, like other fish, are very sensitive to sound and can be stressed to the point of becoming ill by loud noises, especially on a constantly recurring basis. Question: Do the Koi see very well? Answer: Koi see exceptionally well. They have such good sight that they could probably even read a book! They actually even have a greater range of vision than we do, as they have bilaterally placed eyes that are independently moveable. They also see color and black and white. The eyes of the Koi are more vulnerable than our eyes as they do not have eyelids, so great care must be taken when they are netted and handled.
March 2013
Question: Do Koi have the sense of touch? Answer: Yes, and the most sensitive area for this sense is located about midway down the side of the fish on what is called the lateral line. Holes in the scales lead to a canal beneath the surface that contains neuromast cells. Water movement in any direction striking the sides of the fish will cause the mucous in the canal to vibrate. These vibrations stimulate the cells that are linked to the nerve system and provide the Koi with one of the most effective survival techniques (flight reaction). Even though this last question isn’t included in the five senses, I included it. This is probably one of the most asked questions by the children and parents attending Children’s Day at the Japanese Garden. Question: Do Koi have teeth? Answer: Yes, they do. However, the teeth are located not in their jaws like ours are, but much further back…just behind the gill chambers. The Koi use their teeth to grind food against a bony pad (carp stone), located on the top of the pharynx. Occasionally you can find these teeth in your pump’s strainer basket or at the bottom of your pond.
About Linda Linda Montgomery, one of Northwest Koi and Goldfish Club’s Koi Health Advisors, wrote this article some time ago for KOI USA, and recently published it again in NKGC’s October 12, 2012 newsletter, in connection with Children’s Day at the Portland Japanese Garden. Reprinted with permission March 2013
Monitor your Pond Water Temperature from your Living Room by Don Harrawood, Texas
T
hese Wireless Weather Stations are now available at Denco, Inc. for those pond owners who wish to monitor their KOI pond water temperature this winter and beyond. The inside the home monitor shows the following four (4) parameters: Time of Day Inside the home temp. Inside the home humidity Outside pond water temp. The outside monitor (right), shows the outside temp. and the pond water temperature. The outside monitor is attached to a 10´ thermocouple sensor that hangs inside the pond water and senses the pond water temperature. This signal is transmitted to the inside monitor. Transmission range is up to 330 feet. This product requires AA and AAA batteries (not included) that last for up to 24 months of operation. The sensors update their temperatures every 4 seconds. The inside monitor is capable of monitoring three outside monitors. Don’t forget, “Everything about Koi are temperature related”. Get your Digital Thermometer from Denco, Inc. 1105 Eagle Ridge, El Paso, TX 79912 (915) 833-9339 or (915) 727-1166 dharrawo@elp.rr.com Editor’s note - also available from most large home importment stores.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 21
Need to Change Your email or Home Address? Have Questions about your Membership Status? Contact:
Barry Hixson 5465 Towanda Dr. Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-262-5184 or makcmembers@verizon.net Renew Your MAKC Membership Online with a credit card?
Go to Credit Card Payments at www.makc.com
Page 22 Mid-Atlantic Koi
March 2013
One Repair Leads to Another and Another by Lisa Herrick, Texas Photos courtesy of Lisa Herrick ast month, I repaired the waterfall on my pond….well, no good deed goes unpunished! As a result of the waterfall leak, hundreds of gallons of water disappeared out of the pond and found its way UNDER the bottom pond’s liner. This caused the drain to heave up about 8-10 inches.
L
I guess while I was in there rescuing the fish, walking on what felt like a waterbed, the liner pulled away from the drain. Well, more like tore away; no wonder that bottom pond wouldn’t hold water, duh? I’m sure that many of Note the contrast between you have had to make a patch in a the scrubbed area and liner but this was the algae carpet. ridiculous! My liner was covered in an algae that was about 3/4 inches in length, sort of like a short shag carpet. I’m sure this does wonders for water quality, but it’s a real challenge to scrub off. To repair the drain, I had to scrub an 18 by 18 inch square around the drain. Got it good and clean and DRY and then placed a liner patch over the entire area, glued it, and then re-cut the hole and attached to the drain collar.
March 2013
Original piping with multiple glued joints. Note skimmer valve below grade.
Flex pipe ssimplifies the line and saves the day.
It took two days of scrubbing to accomplish this….oh, my, what a tiring process. I did speak with Mary Traveland at Dickson Bros., who suggested making a paste with Green Clean to help melt the algae away. It is indeed a fantastic Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 23
Scrubbed down liner
product and I can only imagine how long this endeavor would take without the help of my little green friend. Success! The bottom pond is now holding water like a pond is meant to! The other project for the pond was to repair and replace some of the underground piping. I’ve had an ongoing problem (two years now) with the pump just seeming to lose suction. It had great “pull” when utilizing the top pond’s drain only, but anytime I opened the valve for the lower pond drain or the skimmer . . .NO suction. I’d say that sucks, but that’s actually just the problem; it didn’t suck! Ultimately I found a crack in the skimmer bulkhead. After digging and digging, five wheel barrows full of dirt, I uncovered the pipes and found way too many els…three within a foot of pipe. . . no wonder the water was slowed down. I replaced the entire line from the skimmer and made some repairs on the line coming up from the lower pond. It took a lot of elbow grease and I have several shirts covered in the all too familiar “blue” stains from the PVC primer, but we have suckage! Sidenote: after the pond was first installed, I called the installer to complain that there was not a ball valve to shut off the skimmer…the installer swore that there was a valve. I swore it wasn’t there, so added one several years ago. Well, when Page 24 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Lisa Herrick’s pond all put back together, after her do-it-herself project.
I dug up the whole line, yep, there it was, valve cover and all, eight inches below grade. I guess my builder’s landscaper covered it up and I never knew it was there. Again, I am not totally sure where the air gaps were, but streamlining the number of glue joints and the number of 90 degree angles made the pump run much more efficiently. Both waterfalls are so fast and furious now, the fish feel like they are swimming upstream. The sound of those waterfalls make me so happy. I got all of the dirt back where it belongs, made some adjustments to the landscape and all is well in my garden! I expect that I’ll be doing a lot of relaxing this fall in my little garden with a glass of zinfandel, of course. March 2013
New Products Rudy´s Rock – Fire-on-Water
Innovative American Concepts, LLC, announces the release of their latest new product Rudy´s Rock. This product allows your customers the ability to enjoy the combined elements of earth, air, fire and water; all converging in an amazing self-contained display. Designed to create a perfectly serene and tranquil outdoor living environment with which to relax and entertain. This one of a kind ˝Fire-On-Water˝ feature is sure to top the list as one of the 2013 New Products of the Year and is made of quality, non-destructive, environmentally friendly, recycled GFRS stone material. Add to the fact each individual product is completely hand-made and proudly manufactured in America with proprietary techniques so you have a fully custom, built-to-last
product that both friends and family will enjoy for generations! For more information please visit our website 3R-Manufacturing.com or contact our customer service department at 505-506-2961
Atlantic Water Gardens introduces Fiberglass Basalt Columns
Lightweight and easy to plumb, these attractive Bring the pieces are the perfect complement to any garden. beauty of MSRP: $104.00 - $266.67 for individual natural stone to pieces, $546.67 for a set of three. your garden with Atlantic For further information please contact…. Water Gardens’ new bubbling James Chubb fiberglass Basalt Columns. National Sales Manager Atlantic Water Gardens Made from Phone: 1-616-914-9953 sturdy fiberglass, these pieces Fax: 330-274-8790 jim@atlanticwatergardens.com eliminate weight www.atlanticwatergardens.com and safety concerns while retaining all the charm and durability of natural rock. To see full product information please refer to The lightweight Fiberglass Basalt Columns range the company’s website. This is for in weight from 8 to 27 lbs, and are available in informational purposes only. Send new heights of 16˝, 22˝, and 30˝ and as a set of three product information to cindy@tcpubinc.com that nests for convenient and affordable shipping. March 2013
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 25
On the Road to a Koi Event March 8–10 Central Florida Koi Show 2013 Held in Orlando at the International Palms Resort, 6515 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 www.centralfloridakoishow.org March 17–18 39th Annual ZNA SoCal Open Koi Show Held at the Gardina Civic Center 1700 162rd St., Gardina, California 90247 Looking forward to seeing you all there. http://znasocal.org April 17–18 6th Annual ZNA NorCal Koi Show San Jose Airport Garden Hotel, 1740 North First St. San Jose, CA 95112. Contact Show Chair Dinh Nguyen (408) 309-9119 http://znanorcal.org/news.php October 4 – 6 South Carolina Koi & Goldfish Show Simpsonsiville, SC Contact: Jim Suerth, Co-Chair 864-879-1369
by helping. Take advantage of being an MAKC member and participate in the club events. See you soon at a Koi event.
MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers Tom Burton
Have information on an upcoming Koi event that you think others should hear about, please send the information to the editor at makcmag@makc.com. We will be glad to include it in future articles. Don’t forget your own MAKC Club has events coming up that can be found in our digital magazine or at www.makc.com. We always need volunteers for meetings and shows. We hope to see more of you visiting shows, attending club meetings, and volunteering to help at Koi events this year. It is amazing how much you can learn Page 26 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Middletown, NJ
732-671-7045
Jan & Bill Fogle Wayne, PA
610-687-3105
Floyd Broussard Woodbridge, VA
703-491-4921
Terri Janas
Ashburn, VA
703-729-2988
Jeff Nicholson
Odenton, MD
301-912-1928
All members have microscopes and health books. In the event of a recorded message, please suggest a time when you're home to receive a return call or when you'd like to call back. Please remember that advice is given based on your input–the ultimate responsibility and treatment must remain with you.
March 2013
Koi Toilet Tattoo by Ron Kardynski, Michigan During the winter months, Koi withdrawals will put you in the "dumps" so get a chuckle as you head to your "library" to read your favorite Koi Magazine. ď ś
March 2013
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 27
September 27 – 29 MAKC Koi Show Held at Kodama Koi Farm at Waterford Gardens 74 East Allendale Road Saddle River, New Jersey
M A KC E v e n t s Saugerties Chapter Message Saugerties Chapter Members there will be no chapter meetings during the months of January, February and March. We will be back in April better than ever, place and date to be determined. Contact Herb Ehrich at HerbEhrich05@yahoo.com
MAKC Upcoming Events May 19 Seminar – The Development of Quality Koi Key Speaker Mr. Saito, Shintaro Koi Farm, Japan Dinner $25 (proceeds to support the MAKC Koi Show) Details repeated from page 4 Presidents Message MAKC and the Tri-State ZNA Koi Clubs are working collaboratively on a number of events in 2013 to support each other’s annual Koi Shows and to work together to better educate the Koi hobbyist. I am delighted to announce that on May 19th, both Clubs will be hosting a free seminar at which Masaru Saito from Shintaro Koi Farm in Japan will be talking about “Key Strategies and Techniques to Develop Quality Koi.” Saito San has been studying and raising Koi all his life, and his Go-Sanke are acknowledged as ∅some of the finest in the world. In 1968 Saito San worked along side his father, Syosuke, raising Yamatonishiki , and then in 1994 he started Shintaro Koi Farm. Shintaro Koi Farm (www.shintarokoi.com) is a family owned and operated business, but many of Saito’s clients have traveled to his extensive mud ponds in Niigtata to help in the harvest and to learn more about raising exceptional Koi. Page 28 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Send your meeting and event information to Joyce Spears 856-478-2952 or gjs63@comcast.net. Deadline March 1st for the April 2013 issue.
Sunshine Column Good news, bad news we would like to share your news or the news of someone you know that could use our support or congratulations! Know someone to list in our Sunshine Column - Email Carolyn Weise, Editor makcmag@makc.com
March 2013
Treasurer’s Report Submitted by Carolyn Broussard, Virginia Balance as of December 7, 2012 Income: Memberships Advertising Young Koi Show 2012 Total Income Expenses: Insurance Credit Card Fees Host Fees & Mtg Exp Total Expenses Balance as of January 7, 2013
Have a picture to share?
$21,847.73
42.50 1,825.00 100.00 $1,967.50
522.00 141.03 81.12 $724.15 $23,091.08
Reserve Account/Prepaid Memberships Balance as of September 30, 2012 $6,323.35 Interest Income 0.32 Balance as of December 31, 2012 $6,323.67 Summary of Income & Expense Young Koi Show 2012 Refunds/Expenses due to date change of 2012 Koi Show $-946.45 December 15, 2012 YTD Income $3,146.75 December 15, 2012 YTD Expense $-2,658.25 Net YTD Income (Expense) Not Final $ 488.50 ď ś
www.makc.com March 2013
Send your photos to the Editor, Carolyn Weise at makcmag@makc.com Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 29
F..A..S..T.. Ads – March Disclaimer: MAKC and its officers assume no responsibility for claims of advertisers or the quality/serviceability of goods offered.
FOR SALE Remember any MAKC member can list their Koi, pond, or related items for sale here in your magazine at no charge. Please contact Ellie today if you have something for sale. BAMBOO. Winter hardy and tropical for indoors. Thinning collection. Reasonable prices. Call Ron Altman, NY 718-442-1673 (Office) or 908-658-3055 (H). HOUSE FOR SALE – SILVER SPRlNG, MD Spacious (3112 sf) 5 br/3ba rambler sited in center of cul de sac on 13530 sf private lot w/6000 gal unique grotto waterfall with intricate high-tech filter system stocked with big Japanese Koi. $425,000 Tish Ziner (Realty Force) 301-793-8474 or tishziner@mris.com
F..A..S..T.. Ads Policy & Deadlines F..A..S..T.. Ads are available FREE to MAKC members only; no commercial ads. Ads are limited to 10 items and must include name, phone number, town and state. Deadline is the 1st of each month. Help do you have an hour or two? We need a volunteer to manage this page. Please contact
Philip Gray • 516-486-5163 philiegray@mac.com
Page 30 Mid-Atlantic Koi
KOI FOR SALE. Overstocked at Millbrook Pond in Haverford, PA. Contact Tom East for less than wholesale pricing on beautiful and healthy Koi. tomeast21@gmail.com or 610-937-0321. PUMP. Performance Pro AP3/4-HF-C Pump with 4˝ fittings. Purchased a couple of months ago, never been out of the box. Retails over $800. I will sell it for $600.00 at my house here in Arnoldsville, GA or plus shipping if you can't pick it up here. Call 706-742-7418 or chamann@windstream.net
WANTED KOI. Foster Home. Large natural pond. Happy to accept your overgrown or unwanted “children.” Call Rich Menashe in Metuchen, NJ, 732-767-0720. KOI. Wanted Healthy Pond Grade KOI over 10˝. Will pay reasonable prices. I have a 750,000 gallon pond and will adopt any unwanted KOI. Call Joseph Pollock in Virginia at 540-788-9222. KOI. Wanted for large deep natural pond next to soon to be built wine tasting room in wine country of Northern Virginia. Happy to accept any and all Koi of any size and color. Stop by and visit them next year when our tasting room opens. Call Mark Malick in Purcellville, VA, 540-270-3399 (cell). KOI BITO MAGAZINES – in good condition. Send list with asking price, or call Roger Klocke 701-491-2803, E-mail at rklockejr@aol.com. Mailing address: Roger Klocke, 4805 Meadow Creek Dr., Fargo, ND 58104. KOI STORE EMPLOYEE. Looking for a knowledgeable Koi and pond hobbyist. March 2013
Part-time, competitive pay. Outstanding employee discounts! Call John at Blue Ribbon Koi Products. 703-753-7566. MAKC CENTRAL CHAPTER VICEPRESIDENT. Schedule 4 to 12 meetings per year. This includes making sure that the meeting announcement is submitted to the magazine and the MAKC website. Plenty of advice and support are available. Your "compensation" .... knowing that you have given back to MAKC and your fellow members. Please don't wait for someone else to step forward! MAKC is a membership organization. If more than one person is interested, you can share the fun! E-mail Philip Gray at philiegray@mac.com or call 516-486-5163.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Ad Index Aquaculture Bead
Long Island Fish Hospital . . .19
Filter Specialists . . . . . . .7, 11 Aquatic Nutrition –
Matala USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Mazuri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Blackwater Gold–N . . . . . . .15 Hikari . . . . . . . . . .7, Back Cover
Nisei Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . . .2, 7 Pentair Aquatic
Kloubec Koi Farm . . . . . . . . .22
Eco-Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . . .18
Kodama Koi Farm . . . . . . .7, 15
Quality Koi Company . . . . .2, 7
Be sure to check our club website for the most current meeting information and more. Also check the MAKC Online Sales Store. Did you know you can buy a Koi purse?
Advertise in Mid-Atlantic Koi! Ad Rates from $15/issue* for a business card ad to $300/issue* for a full page color ad. Reach your target audience of Koi keepers & water gardeners each month and leave your competition in the dust!! Contact Philip Gray at 516-486-5163 (leave message) or e-mail: philiegray@mac.com to request information on our advertiser packages and/or a copy of our ad rate sheet.
www.makc.com March 2013
*With an annual 10 issue contract.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 31
A Picture to Share
Is spring on its way? Cone flowers & butterfly around the pond. Photo shared by Albert Short, Harmony Ponds. Have a picture to share? Send your photos to the Editor, Carolyn Weise at makcmag@makc.com. Page 32 Mid-Atlantic Koi
March 2013
MAKC Membership Application
W
e are pleased that you have inquired about membership in the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club. The club meets monthly at convenient regional locations in the Mid-Atlantic area and also publishes an informative monthly magazine (bi-monthly in Nov/Dec & Jan/Feb).
Our dues are $30 per year, per family (includes $15.00 for a one-year subscription to Mid-Atlantic Koi Online Magazine). The club year runs June 1st through May 31st of the following year. (Dues are pro-rated per month. Those who join in January or after are also asked to join for the following year.) Join for 4 years for $100 and save - $20. Overseas Membership - $40 per year. Corporate Membership $275 per year which includes advertising and other benefits. Call Barry Hixson at 610-262-5184 or e-mail: makcmembers@verizon.net for details. Please consult the following chart for the proper amount and send your check (payable to the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club) to me, Barry Hixon, 5465 Towanda Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18017. Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
$42.50
$40
$37.50
$35
$32.50
$30
$27.50
$25
$22.50
$20
$17.50
$15
As soon as I receive your check, I will send you a "Welcome to MAKC" email and a list of upcoming meetings in your area. You will also be given the date of your membership expiration. Your email will be added to our MAKC Notice Group to allow you to receive MAKC news and up-to-date information. A great source of information is our MAKC website: www.makc.com. The MAKC membership list may be made available (upon approval by the MAKC Executive Committee) for the dissemination of Koi-related information.
Welcome to MAKC! I sincerely believe you will enjoy it as much as we all do. Barry Hixson Membership Committee Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
PLEASE PRINT (You may omit any information that may be sensitive such as unlisted phone numbers or email accounts.) LAST NAME ________________________ FIRST NAME(S) _________________________ (If Applicable) CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP NAME: ______________________________________ ADDRESS ______________________________ CITY__________________ STATE _____ ZIP______ TELEPHONE ______________________ E-MAIL ________________________________ OCCUPATION(S)______________________ Do you have a pond?____ Dimensions____________ Gallons________ Type filter________________ Do you keep Koi or Goldfish?__________ Type______________ Size___________ How Many? ______ Are there any Koi related problems you need help with?_________ If so, what kind?_______________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Do you have special talents, knowledge or interest you would be willing to share with us? _________ If so, what kind? __________________________________________________________________ Would you be willing to have a Koi Club meeting at your home? _______________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________ DATE ____________ AMOUNT PAID ___________ March 2013
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 33