Mid~Atlantic Koi The Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
August 2015
Mid~Atlantic Koi The Membership Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
Volume 29, Number 2 —Upcoming Events
August 2015 Beginner’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Central Chapter Meetings . . . . . . . . .33 Long Island Chapter Pond Tour . . . .33 Saugerties Chapter Meetings . . . . . .33 South Chapter Meetings . . . . . . . . . .33
MAKC Corporate Members . . . . . . . . . .8 Potential Dangers to Your Pond . . . . . . .9 Don Harrawood, Texas
Biological Filtration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
—MAKC News
Ed Keene, DCAS
President’s Message . . . . . . . .4 From the Editor’s Desk . . . . .6 MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers . . . . . . . .27 F..A..S..T Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . .43 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Food Koi Can Eat and Plants by Pond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Linda Montgomery, Oregon
Tips on Buying Your Koi . . . . . . . . . . . .20 from Koiphen and various Koi retailers
A Magical Experience: Behind the Scenes at Disney World . . .24 Barry Hixon, Pennsylvania
Mid-Atlantic Koi Deadlines for Articles, Meeting Announcements and Ads
Keeping Your Pet Cool During the Dog Days of Summer . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Lisa Burns, Backyard Getaway
September Issue Deadline: August 1 Available Online: September 1
What About Aeration? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
October Issue Deadline: September 1 Available Online: October 1
Determining Sex of Koi . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Carolyn Weise, Florida Don Harrawood, Texas
How Many Fish Can I Have? . . . . . . . . .34 Simi Koi
On the Road to a Koi Event . . . . . . . . . .35 Telescope Goldfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Photo by Taro Kodama Kodama Koi Farm
American Goldfish Association
Pearlscale Goldfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 American Goldfish Association
Pictures to Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 MAKC Membership Application . . . . .45 Page 2 Mid-Atlantic Koi
August 2015
P r e s i d e n t ’s M e s s a g e by Joann Mead Suggestions4MAKC@gmail.com
Photos by Tony Baroni
’d like to thank everyone who attended our annual meeting on Sunday June 14, 2015 in Lynbrook, New York. I would also like to extend our gratitude to for Matt Corino and Seth Alden of Koi Crazy for coming and giving a great lecture!
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The 2015/2106 Executive Board is a follows: MAKC President: Joann Mead MAKC Vice-President: Herb Ehrich MAKC Treasurer: Anthony Vitale MAKC Secretary: Position Open MAKC Vice-President Central Chapter: Bruce Damme MAKC Vice-President Long Island Chapter: Bruce Levine MAKC Vice-President Saugerties Chapter: Herb Ehrich MAKC Vice-President South Chapter: Alan Mickelson There are numerous Chapter meetings coming up and the only way that these meetings are successful is by your participation so try to attend as many of your local meetings as possible. Page 4 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Fall is just around the corner and it is never too early to start planning on closing your pond for the winter. The Farmer Almanac predicts another rough winter ahead. Joann
Raffle August 16th Reef Radiance has generously donated a Seneye Pond Monitor and Web Server with WIFI Module to the Club and we are going to raffle the whole system, a $429.00 value! The raffle tickets are $10.00 each and the drawing will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at the Saugerties Chapter meeting. http://reefradiance.com/seneye.html August 2015
MAKC Executive Committee President Joann Mead
(845) 389-5712
jo_mead@earthlink.net
Vice-President Herb Ehrich
(845) 247-7105
koiking15@yahoo.com
Secretary Looking for a Volunteer Treasurer Anthony Vitale
(516) 420-0740
nyssba96@aol.com
Central Chapter Vice-President Bruce Damme (302) 598-8431 Drbdamme@windcrestanimal.com
Remember to Renew Your Membership
Long Island Chapter Vice-President Bruce Levine
(516) 735-2644
bruce@li-koi.com
Saugerties (NY) Chapter Vice-President Herb Ehrich Alan Mickelson
(845) 247-7105
koiking15@yahoo.com
South Chapter Vice-President (301) 332-7042 alanmickelson@msn.com
Standing Committees Membership (845) 723-4373
Richard Douglass
pvsherow@gmail.com
MAKC Sales Looking for a Volunteer MAKC Notice Group Manager Michael Snyder Sarah Johnson
(301) 762-2059 makc@imsnyder.com WebMaster (732) 567-6678 sarranna@yahoo.com
Executive Board Advisor y C ommittee Joe Zuritsky (215) 575-4001 Eric Wilson
jzuritsky@parkwaycorp.com
(443) 203-6486
wilseric@comcast.net
Don’t Wait – Do it Today. Renewal form you can print out is on page 45.
MAKC Home Page: http://www.makc.com
Production: Cindy Graham, NextUp Creations
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. August 2015
Mid-Atlantic Koi Magazine Editor, Carolyn Weise
(239) 573-6650 x105 makcmag@makc.com
Advertising Editor, Joann Mead
(845) 389-5712
Meeting/Events Editor, Carolyn Weise
(239) 573-6650 x105
FAST Ads Editor, Joann Mead
( 845) 389-5712
jo_mead@earthlink.net
makcmag@makc.co jo_mead@earthlink.net
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 5
From the Editor’s Desk by Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com
n the heat of summer, there are dangers we need to know about and prepare for. Don Harrawood again sends us an article on the Potential Dangers. I’ve included my own article about Aeration since summer is the time of high B.O.D. in our ponds. If you have a lot of fish, you need to keep a clean pond.
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Lisa Burns, Backyard Getaway, also gives us tips on keeping our pets cool during the Dog Days of Summer. These are the days we certainly do not want trouble with pumps and filters, but if it happens, better to work on them in summer than mid-winter, right? Let’s see what we can do now and make this a wonderful summer! Take us on vacation with you! I hope you enjoy the Magic of Disney World as much as Barry Hixson did (and I have). Thank you, Barry. If you are considering a single-sex pond, we even have an article on determining the sex of your Koi. Simi Koi has written an article to guide us on stocking the pond, too. Viva la KOI!
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Send me your photos, your articles and any news from around the bases. Yours in Koi! Carolyn
August 2015
Beginner’s Corner Ask a question and we will get you an answer. Remember any questions you have are welcome, Just send them in to the editor. Question: My neighbor sprays his lawn and garden with pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer. Should I be worried about my pond and what could I do to protect the area? Answer: Any pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers are a danger to your fish. Follow some simple rules to protect the fish. 1. When he sprays, cover your pond and ask him not to spray close to the area around your pond.
2. “The Impact of Insecticides and Herbicides on the Biodiversity of Aquatic Communities” pp 618-627 by Rick A. Relyea Dept. of Biological Sciences, 101 Clap Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260 3. “The Lethal Impact of Roundup on Aquatic and Terrestrial Amphibians Ecological Applications” 15:1118-1124,Relyea, R. A. 2005 Note: This column offers suggestions only; the ultimate care of your pond and fish is up to you. !
2. Make sure you are not downhill from the area which is sprayed. If you are downhill, make the sides of the pond higher preventing any run off from entering your pond. 3. Ask your township if or when they may spray for mosquitoes, then cover your pond when they spray. Remember these chemicals are deadly to your fish and the rest of your wildlife. Not many people know that Diazionon, Chlorpyrifos, Brodifacoum and Glyphosate are detrimental to toads, frogs and insects. Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Roundup. The surfactant (an inert ingredient) in Roundup changes the surface tension of the skin to absorb the chemical glyphosate. Glyphosate causes cell death by apoptosis (rapid cell growth and tumors).
Wanted – Your Questions
More information is available at: 1. www.mercola.com/2001/may/ 16/pesticides.htm August 2015
Please email your questions to makcmag@makc.com. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 7
MAKC
Corporate
Members
Quality Koi Company Nisei Koi Farm 856-299-7564 info@qualitykoi.com
www.qualitykoi.com
www.mazuri.com
Interested in becoming a Corporate Member? 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 Joann Mead at 845-389-5712 or jo_mead@earthlink.net
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August 2015
Potential Dangers to Your Pond: Be aware of the following six potential pond catastrophes by Don Harrawood, Texas
Lightening Strikes It is not common, but it does happen. Lightening can strike your pond and kill your fish. This photo shows the result of a lightning strike in a
local pond a few years ago. Thirty two fish met their instant death when lightning struck the pond. Only a few very small fish survived the strike. The larger fish are the first to die because of their larger body mass, which absorbs the greatest amount of electricity. There isn't much to be done in preventing this kind of fish kill; however I have seen a picture where an elaborate kind of lightning rods were installed around a pond. Will this work. Who knows?
Fertilizers, Insecticides, herbicides During the summer, many of us apply fertilizer to our lawns in order to get an early start on grass development. This is a reminder that while applying fertilizers or other chemicals to your yard, avoid getting any of it into the pond water. Also avoid insect sprays being applied near the pond. Wind can sometimes carry spray toward the pond and contaminate the water surface. Koi do not like fertilizer or insect spray in their water, August 2015
and may die because of it. If you have a lawn maintenance person, make sure and warn them to avoid getting fertilizer and insect spray near or into the pond water. Check your pond bank to make sure the soil outside of the pond slopes away from the pond and not toward it. Heavy rains can cause lawn chemicals to run into the pond when the slope does not prevent it. Lawn chemicals and insect sprays can cause massive fish kills in ponds. Avoid roof overhangs above the pond. Rain water washes all sorts of contaminated material off of the roof. When these impurities are washed into the pond, the water becomes contaminated with foreign materials that are unhealthy for the Koi. Avoid a heavy layer of muck in the bottom of the pond. This is decayed material that can result in hydrogen sulfide gas in the pond water. Excess hydrogen sulfide gas can cause Koi to acquire damaged gills and can negatively affect their immune system, which makes them prone to ulcers and other unhealthy conditions. Keep your pond bottom clean.
Electrical Current in Water Sometimes faulty equipment such as submersible pumps or broken ultraviolet lights can emit small amounts of electricity into a pond. If you see and/or hear your fish jumping out of the water frequently, check for electricity in the water. You can check by putting your finger into the water to see if any tingling feeling exists. Check as near the submersible pump as possible. Fish can die when subjected to electrical shock for an extended time. Just as with lightning strikes, the larger fish are affected the most because they have a larger body mass for Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 9
absorbing the current. If electricity is felt, check to see if the electrical circuit is controlled by a ground fault interrupter (GFI). If no GFI is present, you should get one installed immediately. If one is present and has not tripped off, have it replaced.
Power Failures Power failure is probably the most common cause for fish kills. Ponds are generally designed for 100% run time for your pump and filtration system. If running is interrupted for an extended time, fish mortality can occur based upon several factors; • Aeration; Fish ingest water through their gills to provide their bodies with oxygen and to expel carbon dioxide. Cold water holds much more oxygen than warm water. Warm water requires aeration in order to supply enough oxygen required by the fish. In general, aeration is accomplished by waterfalls or streams returning to the pond. If, in warm weather, water flow, is interrupted for an extended time, fish can starve for oxygen and die as a result. An early warning of lack of oxygen occurs when one sees the fish at the top of the water sucking air. If you see fish sucking air, action to aerate the water should be immediate. Larger fish will die first, since they require more oxygen than smaller fish. If the condition exists for several hours, a massive fish kill can result. When water is warm, make sure adequate aeration is available to the fish by keeping waterfalls and streams running constantly. Other aeration is available through the use of air pumps, called aerators. A pond owner should have an aerator on hand for just this kind of emergency. • A 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 Page 10 Mid-Atlantic Koi
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 a GFI gets wet, 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 warms up in summer months. 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: • If the pond has more than one pump, put the pumps on separate electrical circuits. The dual electrical circuits will increase safety. • If the pond has a waterfall, you can add an electrical driven aerator for safety. More safety is available by putting 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 locally. • An audible alarm can be installed to notify the pond owner when water flow stops. • Another 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 August 2015
QUART to FIVE THOUSAND 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 or 4 hours. A quart of 0.03% Hydrogen Peroxide is handy to have onhand just for this type of emergency. If Koi are starving for oxygen, they can be seen at the surface gulping for air.
soda) to the water. Once the pond pH is stabilized, it generally does not cause any further problem. • Bacteria Colonies in filters absorb ammonia and change it to nitrates. In the process of making this chemical change, bacteria sometimes (with very heavy fish loads) will secrete acids that will cause the water to become acidic (pH below 7.0). When water pH is running 5.0 or below, the condition can again be stressful to fish. An accepted way of raising pH to a safe level is by adding baking soda to the water. Baking soda is alkaline that will neutralize acid and raise pH levels. This low pH condition in ponds or tanks is unusual, but it can happen when the water is overloaded with fish.
Pond Overflowing High pH pH is the value of acid versus alkaline in pond water. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral; whereas below 7.0 is acidic and above 7.0 is alkaline. Koi flourish in pH values from 5 to 9 without any problem. Koi subjected to water outside this range of pH values can and will experience grave stress and can die. Normally the pH value of pond water takes on the value of the source water and is not a problem except for a couple reasons: • New concrete ponds will inherently show a high pH value as high as 12.0 or even higher because pond water leaches the cement out of the concrete used in construction. This leaching process raises the pH to a value dangerous to fish. Muratic acid is useful in lowering pH to a stabilized value of 9.0 or below. This generally takes several days or even weeks for stabilization. Liner ponds lined with stones can also raise the pH value, but not nearly as much as with a concrete constructed pond. An accurate pH meter should be used to determine the pH values. With low pH values, below 5.0, the pH can be raised by adding bicarbonate of soda (baking August 2015
This is generally caused by a malfunction of a water leveling float valve. These are the water valves that keep a constant water level in the pond. When these valves malfunction, city water can gush into the pond causing an overflowing condition. During the overflow, the pond is being flooded with chlorinated and very low oxygen level city water. Chlorine destroys the Koi's gills and prevents them from obtaining oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide and other bodily poisons. This condition will kill Koi in a short time if not quickly contained. Add dechlorinator as soon as possible and stir the pond water to make sure the dechlorinator is mixed into solution with the pond water. Everyone should have dechlorinator on hand for this type of emergency. To prevent an overflowing condition, one should make sure there is a shutoff valve in the waterline ahead of the float valve. Throttle this shutoff valve down to just enough flow to maintain the water level in the pond. This should prevent the gushing of makeup water that will cause a major overflowing of the pond should the float valve fail. During water changes or filter back washing, you will need to refill the pond with a water hose. Make sure you don't overflow the pond with the hose. ! Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 11
Biological Filtration by Ed Keene, DCAS, adapted to ponds by Carolyn Weise, Florida
kay, here we go. I have talked about chemical filtration, what it effectively filters from your pond, and how it works. I have also done virtually the same with mechanical filtration. As important as these two forms of filtration are, they are not by any way, shape, or form, substitutes for biological filtration. Biological filtration is the most significant of the three and is basically what keeps the fish thriving. Despite this type of filtration being the most meaningful and significant to your pond, many people do not know about it. For those who do know about it, many do not understand it. Why? Well, I'm not sure.
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I believe it could be one of several reasons. It might be that unlike the previous two types of filtration, this one cannot be readily and as simplistically explained. Another reason is that unlike the other two, there is nothing for you to watch adsorb or trap the wastes. Biological filtration seemingly happens magically. One final reason might just be that in order to understand it you must not only be familiar with but also have a very good understanding of a lot of terms. Mayhaps some people just do not want to invest the time learning. Do you know what? Shame on them!!!
Photo by Tom Graham Page 12 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Biological filtration is the term used for the promotion of ammonia neutralizing bacteria growth. It is so important to the health of your pond that one should look at how this process works, and more importantly, understand it and then seriously consider using this type of filtration. Biological filtration deals with the presence of ammonia and nitrite in the pond water. Ammonia and nitrite problems account for more health August 2015
problems and deaths with fish than any other cause in your pond. Ammonia is highly toxic to fish even in the smallest quantities. What happens is that ammonia will irritate the gills of the fish causing the gills to become inflamed and the fish to become stressed. As the gills become inflamed, they swell which greatly restricts the oxygen supply to its blood. This condition, in conjunction with the great amount of stress the fish is under, lowers its resistance to bacteria and parasitic attacks. The fish will generally stop eating, become a loner in an obscure corner of the pond, and eventually just die. The major percentage of ammonia in a pond, believe it or not, is generated by the fish themselves. They excrete it directly through their gills. The remainder is produced by bacterial breakdown of fish poop, fish pee, uneaten food, and mayhaps a dead fish which has gone unobserved in the system somewhere.
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Mother Nature provides several types of bacteria that break down ammonia into progressively less toxic compounds. I am referring to the Nitrosomonas bacteria and the Nitrobacter bacteria. First, the Nitrosomonas bacteria breaks ammonia into nitrites. Nitrite is a waste product of the bacteria that uses the ammonia for food. Although smaller quantities are not as lethal as ammonia to the fish, larger quantities of nitrite are indeed lethal. The Nitrosomonas bacteria usually become fairly well established within two weeks of adding fish to a new pond. Then the Nitrobacter bacteria break the nitrite into nitrate, which is far less harmful in greater quantities to the fish. The Nitrobacter bacteria usually become well established in approximately four to six weeks after adding fish to your pond. Many fish can tolerate reasonably high levels of nitrates, but over time the nitrates will accumulate until they too become toxic. Also, because nitrate is a fertilizer, high nitrate levels can lead to excess algae growth. There are several ways to remove excess
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nitrate. The most effective way, and probably the easiest, is to do regular water changes. This whole process described is what is known as the nitrogen cycle. I'm sure you have at least heard of it or have heard of people 'cycling' their pond. At any rate, these bacteria are not harmful; in fact, they are quite beneficial, and are quite abundant in nature. The bacteria are provided by nature. When in the presence of ammonia and oxygen, these bacteria multiply naturally. The bacteria are everywhere in your pond and generally thriving. They attach themselves to the pond walls, rocks, plants, filter media and all other decorations you may have in your pond. The only requirement that the bacteria need to live are similar to the requirements you and I have - food, shelter, and water. In other words, they need something to attach themselves to, ammonia, and oxygen-rich water. You cannot get rid of them by doing a water change, even if you wanted to. So now you are thinking, well if all this bacteria lives in my pond, what the heck do I need a biological filter for? Well, you really don't if you strictly limit the number of fish in your pond to the amount of ammonia which can be handled by the naturally occurring bacteria. The bad news here is that not many fish could be contained in such a naturally produced bacteria environment. Very large water changes performed every day will keep the amounts of ammonia and nitrite at safe levels; however, this would be an unrealistic task to perform day in and day out. The solution? You guessed it - a biological filter. The main purpose of the many types of biological filters which are available today is to vastly increase the capacity of the bacteria colony to provide biological filtration to your pond. Basically, all types of biological filters provide additional surface areas for the bacteria to attach themselves to and increase the available oxygen Page 14 Mid-Atlantic Koi
dissolved in the water. The greater the capacity of bacteria, the more fish you can keep in your pond. One important thing to be aware of, which is automatically provided by the biological filter, is water circulation around the bacteria and the surfaces they have attached themselves to. The water circulation will bring them their food and oxygen they need to survive. So, in addition to the water circulation occurring in the biological filter, good circulation in your pond will be of great benefit to bacteria which live in there. Keep in mind the bacteria must be directly in continuous contact with circulating water - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, year after year. If out of this environment, they will die within a few hours. Just like you and me, bacteria need some kind of food. Depending on which bacteria it is, their main diet consists of either ammonia or nitrites. Remember Nitrosomonas bacteria will feed on ammonia and Nitrobacter bacteria will feed on the nitrites. This is what you might consider to be free food. After all, you do not have to go out and purchase it. But then again, you do have to catch or purchase the fish to supply the ammonia. I think for the purpose of an overview concerning ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, Nitrosomonas bacteria, Nitrobacter bacteria, and the nitrogen cycle, I have given you enough to digest at this point. The nitrogen cycle will be another topic of discussion in more depth and detail at a future time. For now, let's get back to the biological filters. Allow me to recap the main points I made earlier. I stated previously that all ponds have some amount of natural bacteria and, therefore, biological filtration occurring within it. I also stated that the bacteria by themselves is too little to adequately take care of the ammonia, etc., which is being produced by the full complement of your fish. Additionally, I stated a biological filter which is dedicated to the increase in growth of the bacteria colonies is far more effective. ! August 2015
August 2015
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Food Koi Can and Can’t Have and What Plants Not to Plant too Close to Your Koi Pond by Linda Montgomery, Oregon photo by Cindy Graham
What fruits and vegetables can Koi eat and what should they not eat? There are many different foods that you can supplement the diet of your Koi with, but in this article I am only going to list the ones that I have personally tried on my own fish. Please remember that you need to thoroughly wash any fruits and vegetables that you put in your pond. And when giving your fish a new food for the first time, remember that they may not show interest at first, but don’t give up! Always try it at least a second time and give them a chance to acquire the new taste. • Lettuce- I have tried spinach, romaine and butter lettuce. For some reason my fish prefer butter lettuce. Don’t waste your time with trying iceberg lettuce as it has very little nutritional value. Butter lettuce Page 16 Mid-Atlantic Koi
supplies the fish with vitamins A, K and C. I just put the whole head of lettuce in the pond and it is completely gone in about 30 minutes! • Zucchini- I just grate fresh zucchini (large grate) and add in small amounts. Do not peel as most of the nutritional value is in the skin. Zucchini is mostly water, but also provides the fish with some protein, carbs and fiber. There is also Vitamin A and the mineral potassium. • Peas- I have tried both frozen and canned peas. They say you should shell them but I never have worried about it…just lazy I guess…can’t imagine shelling all of those little peas! The nutritional benefits are high with peas so I am just listing the top 6; Vitamins K, B-1, and C, minerals manganese and phosphorus, and fiber.
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• Sweet Potatoes- I cook them in the microwave for 5 – 8 minutes (my microwave is old-you may not need to cook so long) only until soft but still somewhat firm. I then peel and cut it into small cubes. The benefits of sweet potatoes are mainlyVitamins B-6, C, & D, Minerals magnesium and potassium, and they also provide iron to the Koi. My fish love them! • Grapefruit- My fish love grapefruit. I slice them in ½˝ slices and make sure to remove all the seeds. The sharp seeds in any of the citrus that you feed your Koi can get lodged in their gills or cheeks. The benefits are fairly obvious, very high source of Vitamin C and the antioxidant Lycopene (I use only the pink or ruby red as the white grapefruit has no Lycopene). They say the Lycopene is said to have an anti-tumor activity. • Oranges- Best source of vitamin C. Also have fiber, calcium and Vitamin B-1. The Koi love them! • Lemons- I have tried these but my fish prefer the grapefruit and oranges. Good source of Vitamin C and also something called ‘flavonoid compounds’, which have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. • Tomato- I have not tried cherry tomatoes but have heard that some Koi keepers have and their fish enjoy them. Benefits are-protein, fiber, Vitamins C, A and B-6. Also it is very high in Lycopene. • Watermelon- This is one of the Koi most favorite treats! I use seedless and just cut in slices approximately 1˝ thick. My Koi usually have the large slices I float in the pond devoured within an hour. I have always heard that there is very little nutritional value in watermelon…after all…it is mostly water! But actually it is a very high source of Lycopene and beta carotene ...who knew! There is also some Vitamin C! • Blueberries- I only feed these occasionally but the fish like them. After reading up on August 2015
the benefits of blueberries I think I will start feeding these more often. Benefits are antioxidant and anti-cancer, Vitamin K and C, manganese, and fiber. If your fish have short term memory loss this may be a fruit to try…blueberries have recently been noted for helping with memory! • Banana- I have only fed my fish bananas a few times, they do like them. Benefits of bananas are that they are high in potassium, manganese, Vitamins B-6 and C, and they also have fiber. • Cheerios- I usually feed my fish regular Cheerios or honey nut Cheerios in the early spring. It is low in residue and has low nitrogen. A great combination when your filter is not quite up and running in early spring.
What not to feed our Koi: • Apples- seeds contain cyanide • Corn- does not digest well • Grapes- on KoiVet it mentions that grapes can contain some oxalates. But then so do some other foods that we feed our fish such as: spinach and sweet potato (these actually contain a much higher concentration even). What the heck are oxalates? Evidently they are something that can cause kidney stones…so I don’t think that is a great concern for our fish! But just in case, I still put it on the ‘don’t feed’ list. • White bread • Green beans- I have not been able to get my fish to eat them I am sure there are many more foods that we shouldn’t feed our Koi or that they don’t like, but I just mentioned the ones most likely that a person may question. Obviously we don’t want to feed our Koi chocolate, moon pies, nuts or ice cream… Well, I think you get the idea!
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What plants are toxic to our Koi? You can search on the internet and find many lists of toxic plants for fish. Some of the plants listed can be extremely toxic in all parts of the plant (i.e. Laurel, Ivy) and others in select parts of the plant (i.e. Elephant Ear-stems and leaves). Just how toxic these plants are and at what strength it takes to make them toxic is not documented in these lists. You may have one or several of these plants listed planted around your pond and your fish are doing just fine. This could be due to many reasons, some of which could be: you are a great pond owner and diligently keep all leaves, berries, flowers of plants out of your pond, you have a great skimmer and your system is designed well or there is not enough of the plant to do harm (but it may accumulate over time and eventually do damage). Elephant Ear
Also, the size of your pond vs. the amount of the toxic plant would also be a factor, for example …a pond owner with a very large pond with an Azalea planted next to it may not see any issues with their fish but another pond owner with a small pond that is not maintained very well may have very sick fish. There could also be degrees of toxicity with water parameters such as water temperatures, pH or KH. Another thought to consider is that some of the plants on this list may have parts such as berries or leaves that the fish may be interested in eating and they are only harmful if ingested, other plants may have toxic sap and be extremely dangerous if the fish just swims through it. Years ago KHA Jan Jordan told me about a pond owner in her area that was cutting back Myrtle Splurge by her pond and some dropped into the pond, the fish swam by and died immediately. Also, another thought to consider is that whatever goes into your pond will have an effect Page 18 Mid-Atlantic Koi
on the water quality of the pond water. Have you had unusual water chemistry that you just cannot seem to fix? Another area of concern would be bark dust and mulches. Do not use dyed mulch, pine mulch, western red cedar or cocoa mulch around your pond! Untreated hemlock mulch is safer to use. This statement did seem strange to me as hemlock is on the toxic plant list, but that is for certain types of hemlock (especially Poison and Water). Sources on the internet say that people that wonder “is hemlock mulch safe to use,” are usually mistaking the poison hemlock for the conifer hemlock, which is not toxic. However if you are questioning the safety of any mulch, don’t use it. Be sure to also be aware of unsafe “sour” mulch. Sour mulch smells like vinegar, ammonia or sulfur. Good mulch smells like freshly cut wood or has the earthy smell of a good garden soil. Another August 2015
way to determine if mulch is sour is to test its pH. Toxic mulch will have a pH of 1.8 to 2.5. So often I will hear a pond owner say “but it’s organic and can’t hurt my fish!” Not true! There are many, many poisons in nature. You never know what you are going to find out when searching the internet and this is a bit off track, but just so interesting that I had to share it with you. I had no idea that plants had been used by Native Americans in fishing for centuries to stun/poison fish. It is believed that Native Americans found out that some plants could stun fish when they used certain plants for making lather or suds. The discovery probably occurred when the native cultures that used the plants for their soap-like properties in the streams and rivers noticed the effect on the fish that swam close by. So do not think that just because something is organic, it is safe for your fish!
August 2015
When plant shopping, always look for aquatic plants that are safe for ponds and fish. As mentioned above, the stems and leaves of Elephant Ear can be toxic to your Koi and all parts of Taro are also toxic. ! Editor’s note: The section about where to purchase plants, was specific to the Pacific Northwest, so the body was amended and answers were deleted (Part 3) because they really weren’t relevant to Mid-Atlantic Koi. However, if you are reading this in the Pacific NW, please feel free to contact Linda. Linda can be reached at cpm@hevanet.com or call: 503-652-2992.
www.makc.com
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 19
Tips on Buying Your Koi from Koiphen and various Koi retailers
• Does each tank have its own filter? • Do they quarantine new fish for 2-3 weeks in separate tanks before dropping them into general distribution?
Koi shopping, photo by Tom Graham reprinted from the Inland Koi Connection (Inland Koi Society Newsletter)
t seems appropriate to follow up on choosing not only the Koi you want but the dealer with whom you want to do business. There's a lot more that goes into this to do it correctly, so the next page and a half will cover a variety of tips and checklists to help you with your decision. We all know it's not just about price or about first glance, so what else is involved?
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First and foremost, it's always important where and from whom you by your Koi. Here are some tips and checklists to help that decision:
Koi Checklist When You are Buying from a Retail Koi Store Take care to look for or ask the following of your Koi dealer: • Are the display tanks clean? • Are they bio-filtered? Page 20 Mid-Atlantic Koi
• Do they have background information on the Koi? The origin of the Koi is important because Koi with good backgrounds command hefty fees. Don't fall for the sale come-on that these are “Japanese Koi.” Dealers can say it in this way, and yet the Koi may not, in fact, be from Japan. If you have the money, you would prefer a Koi bred in Japan. They are simply of higher quality and better breeding. Generally speaking, they cost a bit more. Breeders and dealers who care will supply you with additional oxygen for your fish. Between being netted and set into a confined place, the Koi are stressing out. Just like you, when Koi stress, they use more oxygen. Refilling your bags with oxygen will go a long way in making sure your Koi make it home in a healthy state. There are many pet-product manufacturers in the marketplace. Is your dealer dealing in the newest Koi products? You don't want a dealer who's into all the latest fads, but you don't want one whose product line is hopelessly out of date. Make sure you're buying from a smart dealer who's in the know. These products range from certain chemical treatments, to food, vitamins, and minerals. Determine your Koi budget for the year. Whatever your budget is, buy fewer but higher August 2015
quality; and, if possible on your budget, buy two- or three-year-old Koi. The majority of fish bought by our club are tosai ranging from $30 up to $300, with some special tosai at maybe $500. People spend $300 and buy ten $30 Koi with the mistaken idea that it is like a lottery and they have 10 chances to hit the jackpot. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Koi "should be" priced according to their perceived future potential. Therefore, the breeders/dealers perceive the $30 Koi to be at their peak and while they will grow larger will likely never be as pretty in the future as they are when sold. So the buyer of 10 of these Koi will end up with an overcrowded pond full of larger Koi that have lost most of their color and beauty in a few years. They will need to find someone to adopt these Koi to make room for some new purchases as they will likely be disappointed with the beauty of them as adult Koi. Take that same $300 and buy a single but much higher quality Koi with the potential to get better for several years as it gets older and bigger. You will not have overcrowded your pond with 10 Koi and the water quality will be better, allowing the Koi you have to develop to their full potential. However, this is where you really need a mentor or a good dealer to assist you as these types of Koi can look much less colorful at this stage; they will develop and bloom into their beauty at a later time. For most pond keepers, an all-male pond makes sense, but few go that route. Chagoi are meant to be huge, so why are so many in ponds smaller than 4,000 gallons? If I lived in a one-room efficiency apartment, I'd not think of getting a Great Dane. Rationality disappears when it comes to Koi. When it comes to buying a GOOD Koi, you can go one of two ways: (aside from the obvious – a show fish for now) you can buy a show fish for 'soon' or a show fish for 'later'. The words 'show fish' are used, but you can substitute the words August 2015
'fish conforming to a show standard' if you are just a fine or high class Koi collector. If you are money conscious, and just a hobbyist, then a tosai will be OK and save you some money. $300 should buy you a very good 'soon' show fish: male, well-patterned and well-colored. This is NOT a lesser fish compared to the big girls! It is almost, however, a hobby within a hobby. You can have a magnificent collection held in as small as a 3000- gallon pond and experience all the elements of the Koi culture and its depth. In that case, $300 should be delivering you a whale of a fish! Recently, the ZNA America Award was such a fish. And potentially a bridge into the next consideration – a fish for 'later'. The one gamble you will take in buying a tosai (1-year-old) and hoping for a future fish is that much can change in two years at this stage of development. But if you start with a $400 nisai (2-year-old) you have just improved your chances 100%. And 100% improved odds for 25% more or $100 more spent, is a good investment! In this case, you might buy females (based on feminine characteristics, lack of male characteristics and skin type). Here you can build a wonderful collection of show fish for entering at ages three and four and possibly five. These fish have a wider range of pricing and this is an area where consultation and experience can be the difference between a waste of money and a good value. It’s a challenge to buy these fish on the INTERNET! The breeder or dealer will not send you his best via a faceless transaction between pay pal and an email order! Those fish are best bought at Koi shows and at proper facilities. Some additional considerations: 1. Don’t buy an expensive Koi without seeing it in person. Koi look so different in person than in pictures and even videos. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 21
2. Know your current Koi keeping skills and goals. You will not be able to raise a grand champion unless you know how to bring out the best in your Koi. 3. Know your pond capacity. Forget about raising a potential grand champion if you have a small pond — unless you have a hidden mud pond somewhere. 4. Know what sex you want: male, female or either. As mentioned previously, you can purchase males for a small fraction of a female’s price, but great males aren't cheap either. 5. Know how much you can afford or what your budget is before walking into a dealer or breeder facility and do not exceed that budget. 6. Have mentors and either bring mentors with you or send pics/videos to your mentors for critique and assessment. Ask questions on potential strengths or weaknesses of Koi. Ask your mentor whether this is a good investment or not. !
There’s an advantage to having an experienced Koi hobbyist with you when you buy your Koi. During the bus trip to Barstow Koi Farm, IKS member Larry Leverett played a couple of videos with one of them featuring Barstow Koi Farm, http://koifarm.com – its history and the family that runs it. Then the Ogata Koi Farm, www.ogatakoi.com/index_e.html where they feature some of the best Nishikigoi available. The real education came once we were at Barstow Koi and heard Ken Liu describe what went into the breeding of his fish. Yes, Ken wants to sell Koi; but as a quality breeder, he shows a lot of pride in breeding and raising his Koi to become the best so his customers would get the best value for their money and enjoy their Koi for a long time. It was a real asset to have Koi Jack along and hear his appraisal of each Koi Ken brought forward to dazzle us, hoping we would say, “I want that one” or “That one’s mine; bag her now so I can take her home!” Jack was the voice of reason and highlighted the best points of each Koi as well as their limitations in a very straightforward and descriptive manner.
Looking for back issues? Take a look at the club’s website
www.makc.com Page 22 Mid-Atlantic Koi
A few of our club members were also quite adept at reviewing and choosing Koi to be purchased. Impulse buying, on looks alone, leads us into the buying frenzy that can develop so easily. Been there – done that – come in for one Koi, leave with 10 cheapies of “Great Potential.”
August 2015
A Magical Experience: Behind the Scenes at Disney World by Barry Hixon, Pennsylvania
ave you ever had a less than desirable event turn into something fabulous and magical? Well I did and this is my story. While on vacation last year my family and I vacationed in Disney World and visited the Japan display in Epcot. Everything was perfect from the buildings, structures, water flow, sounds, shrubs and trees. You would expect nothing less from Disney which is in a class by themselves.
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To our chagrin we noticed some of the Koi in the pond had missing scales and red blotchy areas. Skin condition was poor indicating a stressful environment!
Seas and the aquarium. She has charge of both fresh water and salt water fish and mammals.
We voiced our concern and were placed in contact with Jane Davis who over sees the aquatic animals at Disney which also includes the
She was most gracious, told us the Koi had been attacked by predatory birds and consequently was suffering from secondary infections. We Koi
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August 2015
hobbyists also know this first hand when the protective skin barrier of our Koi is compromised. Disney was aware of the problem and was taking corrective action. She thanked us for our concern and after learning that I was a member of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club, she offered us a behind the scenes tour the next time we visited. Now for the Magical part. Mid May of this year we were vacationing staying in the Animal Kingdom, fabulous place. She placed us in contract with Scott Martin who is a zoological manager for the Seas. He gave us a 2 hour tour which included behind the scenes. The scope of the operation is mind boggling considering they manage 6,000,000 gallons of water for dolphins, manatees, sharks and other fish, turtles and corals. I'm sure I forgot quite a few classes. At one time this was the largest indoor system in the world. August 2015
He showed the quarantine area, quality testing, husbandry area, and filtration which are mechanical, biological, and chemical. They use sand filters and UV’s. They test the water constantly. Scott has been at Disney since 1988, and his enthusiasm in explaining and answering our questions show his knowledge and love for his chosen profession. The biggest surprise I had was the use of recirculated water in the Main Environment system with only one water change in the past 30 years. With their constant monitoring of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, KH, GH, trace minerals levels and massive filtration that includes ozone and denitrification systems they demonstrated you can have great water quality without water changes! Occasionally the aquatic animals get infections and need antibiotic protocol the same as we do to our Koi. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 25
Many things remain the same whether you have a 20 gallon aquarium, a 6,000 Koi pond or a few million gallon system. Know your system and monitor, don’t over stock, buy fish from a reputable dealer, and quarantine new fish since it is easier to treat a few in a smaller area rather than your entire system. So once again Disney proved to be Magical and went beyond our wildest expectations. We thank Jane and Scott for sharing the behind the scenes with us. The next time you visit Disney think of all the work that
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goes on out of sight but mostly enjoy the beautiful and graceful aquatic life. !
August 2015
MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers Tom Burton
Find club event/meeting information, pay dues, this magazine and more on our website www.makc.com
August 2015
Middletown, NJ
732-671-7045
Jan & Bill Fogle Wayne, PA
610-687-3105
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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.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 27
Keeping Your Pet Cool During the Dog Days of Summer! by Lisa Burns, Backyard Getaway othing beats the Florida heat in summer like taking a dip in the pool. The same is true for your dog. Most dogs enjoy splashing around in the water at the beach, in a lake or pond, or at the local doggy day spa. Why not create a water play area for your pet in your own backyard. The size of your dog, his age and agility should be considered before you begin your dog pond project. Another consideration to keep in mind is whether he prefers to simply get his feet wet or dive into the water and how will he access the pond.
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When creating a swim pond for your pet at home it is important to know how to keep your dog safe from harmful bacteria and other dangers. For small to medium size dogs the simplest way to add a splash area would be to buy a kiddie pool. Keep in mind that stagnant water will harbor bacteria, attracts mosquitoes and may grow algae. When using a kiddie pool be sure to empty after every use then turn it upside down to keep it from filling with rain water.
Yes you can buy sunglasses for your dog. Photo by Mary Doyle. Page 28 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Active and larger dogs may require a larger space to play. An in-ground liner pond can be installed over one or two weekends depending on the size of the pond. A proper filtration system is essential to any permanent pond installation. It will help keep the pond safe for your pet to swim in. The filtration system should include a recirculating pump, an external bio-filter and a UV sterilizer or an ionizer. August 2015
An external pump is preferred over a submersible pump, keeping the cord and plumbing on the outside of the pond will keep dogs from getting tangled in them while swimming and out of view from dogs who like to chew. The bio-filter will help remove muck and debris from the water during recirculation. There are two popular choices for sterilizing the water, a UV sterilizer or an Ionizer. A UV sterilizer allows water to pass through a chamber around an ultraviolet bulb killing dangerous bacteria and green water algae. The bulb in the UV sterilizer will need to be replaced once a year. Ionization is a process where microscopic ions of copper, silver and zinc are introduced into the water controlling growth such as algae. Mineralized water is not only safe for animals it actually promotes healthier living conditions in the water. If you do not want the added expense of a sterilizer there are other options. Running your pump and filter 24/7 keeps the water recirculating and will help keep bacteria and mosquitos at bay. You can add chlorine to your pond but that could irritate your dog’s skin and eyes. A better choice would be to use a saltwater system similar to what is used in swimming pools. When choosing a pump and filter system be sure to size them according to the gallons of water your pond will hold. Getting in and out of the pond should be easy. Zero entry at one end with a gradual drop is a good choice for small or nervous dogs. A dog ramp or stairs works well for deeper ponds. Remember dogs have sharp nails. If your pet likes to dig you may want to protect the liner by mortaring flagstone to the sides and bottom of the pond or use gravel in the bottom. Not only is swimming fun for your dog it is beneficial as well. Did you know that 15 minutes of swimming compares to 1 hour of running for a pup? Older dogs, especially those with joint issues, will benefit from this non-weight bearing August 2015
therapeutic form of exercise. Even a dog who doesn’t know how to swim can join in on the fun using a doggy life jacket. Summer will be here before you know it, how will you keep your dog cool during the dog days of summer? Before you enter still water ponds (These things can be a problem in natural ponds, lakes and any still/stagnant body of water): • Blue/Green Algae (Cyanobacteria or Planktonic): They use sunlight to grow and may be blue, green, brown or even reddish in color. They are a type of bacteria and can float on or below the surface of the water. Not all types are toxic. They are caused by high levels of nutrients in the water and thrive in still, warm water. May emit an odor. • Leptospirosa: Bacteria that causes Leptospirosis in animals and people. It thrives in natural bodies of stagnant, still water and in water contaminated from wildlife urine. There is a vaccine available to guard against Leptospirosis. • Campylobacter: These bacteria create campylobacteriosis, one of the leading bacterial infections to cause intestinal upset and diarrhea. If you have a water garden with no filtration that also has fish and frogs and your dog drinks from it he can become infected. For more information visit these sites: • www.dep.state.fl.us/water/bgalgae/faq.htm • Photos of blue green algae: www.dep.state.fl.us/water/bgalgae/photos.htm • www.apdt.com/petowners/tips/safety/ safety_nature.aspx ! Lisa Burns of Backyard Getaway our website is backyardgetaway.net.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 29
What About Aeration? by Carolyn Weise, Florida
Dissolved OxygenWithout the proper saturation of dissolved oxygen in water, fish and other life forms cannot survive. Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen that has been dissolved at the surface of the water and mixed into the pond water. The larger the surface of the water, the more oxygen can be incorporated into the water. The three ways oxygen is dissolved are: diffusion, aeration and waste products (O2 and CO2) from plants. Diffusion refers to the natural inclination of chemical substances to move from a higher area of concentration to an area of lower concentration. When gaseous oxygen in the air is of a higher concentration than dissolved oxygen in the water, diffusion occurs. Of course, temperature and barometric pressure have a lot to do with this. In winter due to cold weather, this results in more oxygen being diffused into the water. But in summer, it results in less oxygen being displaced into the water. o I need to add aeration to the pond? In winter, many people use aerators to keep an area open for gas exchange. But in summer, using an underwater aerator or surface agitator will definitely help to expand the surface area, thereby increasing oxygen to the pond. A high level of Dissolved Oxygen in the pond will keep it healthy.
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Well, you say you have a waterfall–Waterfalls are a good way to add circulation and even increase oxygen to the pond, but is it enough? Oxygen is increased through the surface of the pond. If your waterfall is increasing the surface area of the pond through ripples and splashes, then perhaps it is. There are other mitigating factors at work in almost every pond. Take a look. Page 30 Mid-Atlantic Koi
A fast flowing stream will create ripples and some splashes that offer more opportunities for oxygen diffusion as it goes to the pond. Aeration functions at the surface of the water. It facilitates diffusion and results in additional dissolving of oxygen. And photosynthesis from plants is well-known and an often used oxygenation source for ponds. All plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen‌ during the daylight hours. Some aquatic plants release oxygen molecules directly into the water. The abundance of plants rooted in a pond contributes heavily to the amount of dissolved oxygen, but remember, the more heat and sunlight available to aquatic plants, the more oxygen that will be dissolved in the water. August 2015
pond. Wind has been known to empty a small pond and leave inhabitants stranded.
All this will change when night falls. Photosynthesis by its very nature allows plants, these very same plants, to take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide when night falls. So, a heavy reliance on plants for oxygenating your pond (if stocked with fish) may not always work. Here are some ways to increase available D.O. to your pond: 1. Add a stream- the longer & wider, the better 2. Venturi- a venturi takes advantage of water circulation and simply injects air from the surface 3. Waterfall- waterfalls can be small or large, wide or multiple, high or low to the surface of the water—A good way would be in having high, multi-step, cascading features. 4. Bubblers/spitters- adding bubblers and spitters to the sides of the pond may increase oxygen a little if used in conjunction with other applications. 5. Fountains- need to be wary of windy days when weather blows fountain spray out of August 2015
What are some impediments to aeration in a pond? 1. 2. 3. 4.
Fish need/use oxygen Plants (at night) use oxygen Algae (also at night) Oxygenating plants (yep, at night they take oxygen out of the water) 5. Water Lilies and other floating plants that cover the pond surface 6. Anything living beneath the water of the pond (insects, tadpoles, etc) 7. Dirty filter 8. Biological functions and organics (detritus) 9. Water temperatures (heat) 10. Medications and other chemicals, see label warnings So, now you know! !
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 31
Determining Sex of Koi by Don Harrawood, Texas
reprinted from the Southwest Koi and Pond Association Newsletter
ollowing are a few ways that the sex of Koi can be determined:
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1. Look at the ovipositor (vent). If the Koi is 2 to 4 years old and it has reached sexual maturity, a female’s vent will be round to oval shaped and pushed out slightly. A male’s vent will be almost like a “V” or triangular shaped and will be concaved or slightly depressed inward. In very young Koi, many female’s vent will appear the same as males. 2. In the spring, during mating season (March to July), if you rub their gill plates with your hand you will find that the male’s gill plate will be rough like sandpaper, and the female’s will be smooth. 3. During mating season, if you run your thumb and index finger along the leading ray of the pectoral fins, you will feel rough (tubercles) on males, just as you felt on male gill plates. The females will have smooth leading ray edges on the pectoral fins.
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4. This is not true in all cases, but usually the male pectoral fins are larger and more pointed than the female pectoral fins; whereas the female pectoral fins are more rounded. Also male pectoral fins usually have a very straight leading edge; whereas the female pectoral fins are more gently rounded. (This is not true in all cases.) 5. Usually the female will have a more rounded and robust body than the male, but this is not 100% of the time. A full bodied male will normally have the broad part of his body closer to the pectoral fin area; whereas the female will have the broad part of her body toward the middle of the area between the pectoral and the anal fins. 6. In larger Koi (not 100%) the male’s head is a slight yellow cast; whereas the female’s head is white in color. 7. In young Koi, it is a guessing game as to their sex. Sometimes even a six inch male Koi will have a vent as described above. In young Koi of the same brood, the larger Koi are generally males. Also the brightest colored Koi are males. ! August 2015
M A KC Me e t i ng s an d Eve nt s Remember! MAKC members may attend meetings in any Chapter.
Central Chapter Meetings August 2 Bethelhem, PA Guest Speaker Dr. Brian Palmerio Koi Health and Ulcer Disease Future meetings • September -open • October 4 in Allentown, PA Bruce Damme, Vice President Central Chapter 302-598-8431 !
Long Island Chapter Meetings Sunday, August BBQ Contact Bruce Levine 516-477-1823 or kuba1953@aol.com !
• Sunday December 13, at Holiday Dinner at Roe and Herb’s Contact Herb Ehrich for further information about upcoming meetings - email Herb at koiking15@yahoo.com ❖
South Chapter Watch for upcoming events Contact Alan if you have questions or can host a meeting at - alanmickelson@msn.com !
Send your meeting and event information to Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com Deadline August 3rd for the September 2015 issue.
Saugerties Chapter Meetings Sunday, August 16 3:00 pm Open Future meetings • Sunday September 20, Open • Sunday October 18, at Herb’s pond • Sunday November 15, at Masonic Lodge in Saugerties August 2015
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 33
How Many Fish Can I Have? by Simi Koi
doesn't mean you can put 20 Koi in there and expect great water quality.
get asked this question every day. There is a common thought that the number of gallons is in direct relation to the number of Koi you can have. And while this is true to a point, the fact of the matter is the number of gallons is only one of MANY factors that determine the number of Koi you can keep. Feeding, filtration, circulation, and aeration all come into play.
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You also have to ask yourself, what do you want from your Koi? Are they show Koi? A high end collection? Or just some pretty pets in the pond? Also, how much time do you want to spend maintaining the water quality? High stocking densities are usually a LOT more work. My point is, it’s a system and the number of gallons per fish is only one part of the equation. Filtration is going to be the most important factor in determining the number of Koi you can have. It is more important than the number of gallons. Many store bought filters will tell you they can filter 1000 gallon ponds or 2000 gallon ponds. These ratings are not usually accurate. They base these on the assumption that you will have very few fish, usually only two or three Goldfish. Just because you have a 1000 gallon pond and you bought a filter for 1000 gallons Page 34 Mid-Atlantic Koi
As a general rule, cut the number of gallons the filter says it can filter in half, and even then keep the stocking density low. But you can have 15-20 Koi in 1000 gallons IF the filter is large enough to handle the waste produced, both solid and ammonia. (Basically a filter designed for a 5-6000 gallon pond). The key to deciding if you are over stocked is water testing. If you have ammonia that simply won't go away, or waste and debris in the water, then you are over stocked for the size of the filter. To correct this you need to either cut back on feeding, reduce the number of fish or increase the size of the filter. Another major consideration is circulation. A Koi pond with poor circulation will have a lot of trouble at higher stocking densities. The reason is the filter cannot treat waste it doesn't come in contact with. You need to circulate the ponds entire volume every hour. And that does not just mean a 1000 gallon pump for a 1000 gallon pond. You need to make sure there are no "dead spots" in the pond where water does not flow properly. If you notice certain areas of the pond have more debris settling then others, than you need to correct the circulation. A bottom drain is the best way to prevent poor circulation. Skimmer-only ponds will be plagued with poor circulation and stocking density should be kept very low. You can also add small underwater jets or air stones to help circulate the water towards the filter. The type of food and the amount you feed also play a major role in the stocking density. Low August 2015
quality foods have fillers and low digestibility. This means more waste for the filter to handle. Also, the more you feed them the more waste the Koi produce. So feeding heavily with cheap food means you need to keep a very low stocking density. This is not to say you should not feed the Koi. But rather if you want to feed heavily to get maximum growth and development you need to use only high quality foods and keep a low stocking density with a large enough filter to handle the waste from such a heavy feeding routine. Again it comes back to what you want from your Koi. Aeration is another major factor in stocking density. The bacterium in the bio filter is highly oxygen dependent. If you do not have enough O2 saturation in the water then the bio filter will not be as effective and in turn you must keep a lower stocking density. Another thing to keep in mind is during the warmer months the water will not hold as much oxygen and this is also the time the fish are eating the most so your bio filter needs to be at its peak. That means it needs as much O2 as it can get. Luckily aeration is one of the easiest things to correct. An air pump with a few air stones can correct this problem very quickly. It will also help with your circulation by bringing the water from the bottom of the pond back to the top. Remember its a system and all the parts work together. The last thing to consider is how much time do you want to spend cleaning and backwashing filters, testing the water, doing water changes, etc., etc. If the maintenance becomes too much of a chore then after awhile it won't get done and the water quality will suffer. Heavy stocking densities require more time and effort. If you want to spend less time working on the pond and more time enjoying it, keep the stocking density low and the filtration big. ! http://www.simikoi.com/subcat192.html
On the Road to a Koi Event August 28 - 29 Idaho Water Garden & Koi Society 22nd Annual Koi Show Zamzows - Meridian Chinden Location Meridian, ID website: www.iwgks.org Contact Sot Chimonas 208-286-0288 sotchimonas@msn.com
September 11-13 ZNA Potomac Koi Show Held at Meadowlark Gardens, Virginia; for information see our website http://www.znapotomac.org/show.htm
September 19 - 20 Washington Koi & Water Garden Society 24th Annual Koi & Water Garden Show Sky Nursery in Shoreline, WA website: www.washingtonkoi.org Contact: showchair@washingtonkoi.org
September 25–27 35th Annual Koi Show Northwest Koi & Goldfish Club (ZNA NW Chapter) Held at Uwajimaya’s, Beaverton, OR, in conjunction with the Festival of Japan. Contact: Daren Beck, Show Chair @ beckoi65@gmail.com or 503-507-8510 Joel Rutledge. Club’s website: www.nwkg.org Have an upcoming Koi event, please send the information to 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. It is amazing how much you can learn by helping. Take advantage of being an MAKC member and participate in the club events. See you soon at a Koi event. ❖
August 2015
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 35
Telescope Goldfish
•
The Telescope eye is a fish with a round body, paired fins, and protuberant eyes. The body shape is rounded, but it is not round shape (as in the case of the Ryukin or Veiltail). The finnage is paired and tends to be moderately long, although in some strains, the fins appear extremely long, especially the dorsal and caudal fin. In these longer-finned fish, the caudal fin shows little or no forking and appears square-cut. This “square-cut” tail is also known as a petticoat tail, and fish are sometimes sold with a fanciful name of “petticoat.” Another name for this fish is a “broadtail” telescope or Moor.
•
The eyes are the characteristic feature of this fish, and should be matched, as well
Page 36 Mid-Atlantic Koi
as being protuberant. When we speak of matched eyes, we are actually talking about two aspects of the eyes. The first aspect is that of size; in other words, the eyes should be of the same size and type. An example of a problem relating to eye size would be that of a fish with one eye that is significantly larger than the other. The second aspect of eye type is that of placement on the head of the fish. Both eyes should be placed symmetrically on the head. If one eye is placed significantly forward or backward of the other, or if one eye is placed upward or downwards on the head, when looked at in relation to the other eye, this is considered to be a conformation problem. August 2015
•
There are actually several types of eye types which are permissible: a segmented type, where the eye appears to be composed of a series of concentric circles, which gradually get smaller; a conical type, where the eyes are cone-shaped looking almost like a volcano; and a rounded, protuberant type, which appear to form a small balloon attached to the cheek, and which is pictured on the line art drawing. Of these three eye types, the segmented and balloon-type are the most elegant, and are the preferred type. Please note that mixing of eye types on a single fish is undesirable: as an example, one eye should not be round and the other segmented. If eye mixing occurs, this is considered to be a conformation issue.
•
The Telescope is not a very large Goldfish, and is usually six to seven inches in size, excluding the tail.
•
The Telescope comes in a variety of color and scalation types including metallic, matte and nacreous.
Black and White Telescope August 2015
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 37
American Goldfish Association
Description
Points
2014 Goldfish Standards Variety Name: Telescope Dorsal Fin: Y/N, Y Tail Type: Double Special Characteristic: Eyes, petticoat tail
Body Style
20
Coloration
20
Deportment and Condition
20
Finnage
20
Special Characteristics – Eyes and ďŹ nnage (extra points)
20
Total
100
Tri-color Metallic Telescope
Black Moore Telescope
Page 38 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Black and Red Telescope
August 2015
Pearlscale Goldfish
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The Pearlscale possesses a stout, rounded body, smallish dorsal fin, and double pectoral, anal, and caudal fins. The body of the fish is among the most rounded, and therefore, compact of any of the Goldfish varieties. In some instances, the body is so rounded as to appear to be ball-shaped.
•
The caudal fish of these fish is usually welldeveloped, which, when combined with the round body, gives these fish an unusual swimming motion, and makes them look as if they were waddling in the water. A new variety (within the last twenty years) from China has very short dorsal, anal, pectoral and caudal fins, and further impairs the swimming motion of the fish.
August 2015
•
The scaling is the characteristic feature of this fish. The scales should be raised, with a bump or excrescence appearing on each individual scale. These excrescences are made up of the same material as regular scales, and can be damaged or knocked-off. Scales, once removed, may or may not grow back with the raised protuberance at the base of each scale. In order to be competitive in a judging environment, the scaling should be observed on each individual scale of the fish, without the fish having missing scales. It is important that the scales continue from the belly, through the sides and onto the back area of the fish, right up to the dorsal fin. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 39
Pearlscale
•
Despite the rounded body of the fish, the Pearlscale is not large, in terms of the body length. Most examples are five to six inches in length; the girth of the fish makes it appear much larger than it actually is.
•
The Pearlscale comes in a variety of color and scalation types (other than the pearling) including metallic, matte and nacreous.
•
All other characteristics being equal, the following rankings apply to finnage types:
the basic body-shape and pearling associated with a regular Pearlscale, along with a wen-growth, like the Oranda Goldfish. The Hamanishiki can have two wens on top of the head. The Crown Pearlscale does not have the raspberryshaped growth of the Oranda, but has one or two lumps placed on top of the head. •
Pearlscales sometimes develop swimming problems, due to the placement of the air bladder. Impaired swimming motion is considered to be a conformation issue.
o Long-finned Pearlscale o Short finned Pearlscale •
A variation of the Pearlscale that has a headgrowth is known as the Hamanishiki, or Pearl-Scaled Oranda. These fish have
Page 40 Mid-Atlantic Koi
August 2015
American Goldfish Association 2014 Goldfish Standards Variety Name: Pearlscale Dorsal Fin: Y/N, Y Tail Type: Double Special Characteristic: Scaling and optionally headgrowth
Description
Crown Pearlscale
Points
Body Style
20
Coloration
20
Deportment and Condition
20
Finnage
20
Special Characteristics – – Scaling and optionally headgrowth (extra points)
20
Total
100
Hamanishiki Pearlscale
!
August 2015
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 41
F..A..S..T.. Ads – August 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 Joann 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).
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 Joann Mead 845-389-5712 jo_mead@earthlink.net
Page 42 Mid-Atlantic Koi
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. Part-time, competitive pay. Outstanding employee discounts! Call John at Blue Ribbon Koi Products. 703-753-7566. MAKC SECRETARY AND MAKC SALES POSITIONS – are open; please contact club president Joann Mead for more information on how you can fill one of these positions. Joann Mead 845-389-5713 or e-mail jo_mead@earthlink.net. !
August 2015
Mid-Atlantic Koi Ad Index ABC Pond Book . . . . . . . . . .22
Next issue learn about the Goldfish variety the Lionhead.
Treasurer’s Report
Income Advertising Sponsor Membership Total Income
Saving Balance Club Total Balance As if April 2015
$16,210.22
Eco-Systems, Inc. . . . . . 8, 23
Kodama Koi Farm . . . . . . 8, 19
Quality Koi Company . . . 8, 27
Koi Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Rainbow Koi . . . . . . . . . . .8, 15
Mazuri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Smart Koi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Microbe-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Total Koi Food . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Nisei Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . 8, 27
Mid-Atlantic Koi! Ad Rates from $15/issue* for a business card ad to $300/issue* for a full page color ad.
$475.00 30.00 210.00 $715.00
Ending Balance April 2015
Hikari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3, 8
Advertise in
Submitted by Anthony Vitale, New York Beginning Balance March 2015
Pentair Aquatic
$16,925.22 $6,327.15 $23,252.37 â?–
Reach your target audience of Koi keepers & water gardeners each month and leave your competition in the dust!!
Contact Joann Mead at
Join or Renew Your Membership Do it today, it only takes a couple of minutes. August 2015
845-389-5712 (leave message) or e-mail: jo_mead@earthlink.net to request information on our advertiser packages and/or a copy of our ad rate sheet. *With an annual 10 issue contract.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 43
Pictures to Share –
Artwork by BEV LETARD www.bevletard.com Do you have a picture to share? Please send them to the Editor, Carolyn Weise. makcmag@makc.com !
Page 44 Mid-Atlantic Koi
August 2015
Mid-Atlantic Koi Club (MAKC) Individual/Family Application Mid-Atlantic Koi Club (MAKC) is an association of Koi, Goldfish and watergarden enthusiasts who gather to expand their knowledge and appreciation of the hobby. The club meets at convenient regional locations in the Mid-Atlantic area. We also publish an informative monthly online magazine (bi-monthly in Nov/Dec & Jan/Feb). The Family/Individual Membership dues are $30 per year. Membership renewal date is one year after membership application has been accepted. You will be notified when your membership is up for renewal. Please provide the following information: Date ___________ New Member _____ Renewing Member ____ Name_______________________________________________________ Address _________________________ City ___________________ State _____Zip _______ Phone _______________ E-mail____________________________________________ Please check all subjects in the following list that interest you, or that you would be able to assist the club with: _____ Have a Club meeting at your home _____ Pond construction, maintenance, filtration theory and practice _____ How to select Koi – their diseases and treatment _____ Feature your pond for members to visit or be featured on a Pond Tour _____ Share a special skill or knowledge at a meeting _____ Volunteer in the club (circle choices) President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, Marketing _____ Are there any fish or pond related problems you need help with? If so, what kind? ____________________________________________________________________________ We do not sell/offer/trade/distribute member information to outside enterprises Please mail membership application along with a check (payable to MAKC) to our Membership Secretary or bring it to any meeting. You can also pay via credit card at www.Paypal.com. Our PayPal account email address is kgwgclub@earthlink.net You will be notified when your membership is up for renewal. Do not wish to have name published in Membership Directory please check box _______ MAKC PO Box 91 Ulster Park, NY 12487 Phone Number (845) 389-5712 E-mail: kgwgclub@earthlink.net August 2015
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 45