Mid~Atlantic Koi The Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
March 2014
One Koi to the Other “It’s co-co-cold out here!”
Mid~Atlantic Koi The Membership Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club
Volume 27, Number 7
March 2014
—Upcoming Event Saugerties Chapter Meeting . . . . . . .27
Beginner’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
—MAKC News President’s Message . . . . . . . .4 From the Editor’s Desk . . . . . .6 MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers . . . . . . . .18 Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . .23 Sunshine Column . . . . . . . . .26
MAKC Corporate Members . . . . . . . . . . .7 Why A POND? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Ed Keene,, Delaware
How to Buy a Microscope . . . . . . . . . . .10 Lois Salaun, Koi Organisation International
F..A..S..T Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Adequate Flow Through a Bioconverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Mid-Atlantic Koi Deadlines for articles, meeting announcements and ads April Issue Deadline: Available Online:
March 1 April 1
May Issue Deadline: Available Online:
April 1 May 1
Ken Austin, Texas
Sexing Goldfish and Koi . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Steve Hopkins, Hawaii
What is a Koi Pond? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Carolyn Weise, Florida
Health Care Part 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Ben Plonski, California
Salt Tolerance Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Koi Winter
On the Road to a Koi Event . . . . . . . . . . .27
Photo by Susan Boland
Picture to Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 MAKC Membership Application . . . . .31
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March 2014
MAKC Executive Committee President Philip Gray
(516) 486-5163
philiegray@mac.com
Cell (516) 967-4966 Vice-President Bernie Szer
(516) 241-4655
Dinah Bwint
(610) 287-9178
Anthony Vitale
(516) 420-0740
gasssman246@aol.com
Secretary sanke@verizon.net
Treasurer nyssba96@aol.com
Remember to Renew Your Membership
Central Chapter Vice-President Looking for a Volunteer Long Island Chapter Vice-President Bruce Levine
(516) 735-2644
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
koiking15@yahoo.com
South Chapter Vice-President Chuk Nixon
(301) 717-7702
chuknixon@aol.com
S ta n din g Committe es Membership Barry Hixson
(610) 262-5184 makcmembers@verizon.net AKCA Representative
Philip Gray
(516) 486-3807
philiegray@mac.com
MAKC Sales Ruth & Gene Rice
(304) 725-2333
sew4Koi@comcast.net
Don’t Wait – Do it Today.
MAKC Notice Group Manager Michael Snyder
(301) 762-2059
makc@imsnyder.com
WebMaster Wayne Orchard
(828) 693-3851 waynesorchard@gmail.com
Exe c ut ive B o ard Adv is or y Committe e Joe Zuritsky
Renewal form you can print out is on page 31.
(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
Ellie Cooper
(610) 865-1163
mamakoi@verizon.net
Mid-Atlantic Koi Magazine Editor, Carolyn Weise
(239) 573-6650 x105
Advertising Editor, Philip Gray
(516) 486-5163
makcmag@makc.com philiegray@mac.com
Meeting/Events Editor, Carolyn Weise (239) 573-6650 x105 makcmag@makc.com FAST Ads Editor, Philip Gray
(516) 486-5163
philiegray@mac.com
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, NextUp Creations
March 2014
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. Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 3
President’s Message by Philip Gray Suggestions4MAKC@gmail.com appy spring to all of you. I know after the last few months of winter endured, we are all looking forward to warmer weather and the beginning of spring. As we begin to ease our Koi into spring, remember that your pond’s filtration system may not be optimal in the beginning. Be sure to make regular water testing part of your hobby to ensure the health of your fish. If you detect any ammonia, or nitrite or view any floating foam that does not dissipate, there may be an underlying problem with your water conditions. Additionally, if there is a significant potential of a cold front, you should always reduce or stop your feeding temporarily. In our area we have all experienced the brief return of winter conditions during the earlier part of spring that can cause various ranges in temperature prior to settling into the season.
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This year we are asking all club members to volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!!! We have added new volunteer positions such as Club Sales and Club Membership Chair. These positions will be crucial in driving the success and commitment of the club to reach out to new members. Please show your commitment to the club and volunteer for an upcoming meeting or event. Lead by example to help make this club that much more by motivating your fellow members. Our Annual Club Meeting is fastly approaching and last month I asked all members whether or not you were interested in having a Koi show this year. I am anxious to hear from you all at the meeting and look forward to your ideas on events and upcoming topics that you would enjoy learning more about. Any member with ideas, thoughts or who would like to sign up as a volunteer should email me their thoughts and ideas.
March 2014
Beginner’s Corner Ask a question and we will get you an answer. k no questions yet this year. So let’s just talk, it’s almost time to start thinking about the spring startup of our ponds. Boy will that be a welcome change from this winter. There are two to three feet of snow on and around my ponds. I guess you have something similar going on at your ponds .
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Getting rid of the piles of snow is the problem. Watch when it melts it doesn’t all run into the pond. Some of the runoff won’t hurt but a lot could wash unwanted material in the pond. This could raise the level of stress on the fish. Bad thing in spring; there will be enough stress without adding to it. This is March. At the end of this month or beginning of next month it will be time to do your spring cleanup. Start with a 30% or 50% water change and get your filters going again. (Don’t forget the Declor) You can look forward to feeding the fish when the water warms up to 45 deg. with the wheat germ food. Then when it gets to 60 deg. then use the high protein food. From last August’s issue try “Dr. Wayne’s Koi Cube Recipe” to start the year off right. Enjoy spring. Don’t forget to ask questions so I can find the answers for you in following issues.
Note: This column offers suggestions only; the ultimate care of your pond and fish is up to you. March 2014
For the adventurous ones:
DR.WAYNE’S KOI KUBE RECIPE 8 oz. frozen chopped kale, or collard greens ¾ cup frozen peas 4 oz. smelt, white fish, or (I use shrimp) 1 oz. red pepper (plus one medium chopped carrot) 1 Tbsp. wheat germ (plus 1 tbsp. brewer’s yeast) ½ tsp. liquid fish vitamins (plus 2 caps 400 IU vitamin E) 2 pills vitamin C crushed 2 to 4 packets KNOX gelatin, dissolved in hot water. Puree in food processor all but hot water and gelatin. (may have to add water to puree solids Then add vitamins and water with gelatin, mix by hand, spread on nonstick cookie sheets and freeze. After about an hour, take out and score with serrated knife into 4 in squares then finish freezing. When done remove from cookie sheets break apart and store in plastic bag. To feed fish take out one or two defrost and cut into small cubes. Fish just love them. You can add some of the following when getting ready for a show: avocado, zucchini, romaine or swiss chard.
Wanted – Your Questions Please email your questions to makcmag@makc.com. We look forward to hearing from you! Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 5
From the Editor’s Desk by Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com
Hi, In March, we have something to look forward to–Daylight Savings Time begins on the 9th, St. Patrick’s Day is the 17th, and the first day of spring is the 20th. I’m sure everyone will be overjoyed to see this winter come to an end. It has certainly been one of the coldest, snow-filled, and most treacherous winters I can remember. (One more reason for me to be grateful I moved to Florida!) But if you think it was hard on you, we are still taking stock of damage to our Koi and ponds. They say “in like a lion, out like a lamb” or vice versa, so I hope March will be kind to us! For this issue, we have a collection of interesting articles that may help you in your recovery efforts and hobby in general. We can still grow this hobby by showing others the wonderment of our own ponds (and beautiful Koi). Newcomers need to know about filtration, salting a pond, sexing fish, and what kind of pond is suitable for Koi. Many members have wanted to buy a microscope and move to the next level in caring for their fish, but may not have known how to go about it. These are some of the topics chosen for you in this issue. In the next issue we will go into such deep subjects as KHV and Koi health… You Koi friend, Carolyn Page 6 Mid-Atlantic Koi
March 2014
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 2014
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
It's as easy as A B C . . . Pond Basic Concepts . . .
Why A POND? by Ed Keene, Diamond State Aquarium Society, Delaware First article in the ABC Series; a section geared toward the beginner and non-expert hobbyist ell, why not?? Don't you just love people who answer with a question?? Me too! Seriously however, why not? For various reasons and on several occasions, I have found myself suggesting to different people who have never had a pond, to start one. Quite often I receive the reply, "Why a pond?" I decided to put some of my thoughts into writing.
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Gee, if I make a few copies of this article, all I have to do is pass it out whenever I'm asked that same question. Hmmmm. Mayhaps you will do the same. After all, the more people who become interested in the hobby, the more people there will be who might become interested in joining our Koi club. Sounds good to me! O.K. - enough said. Back we go now to the question at hand. Keeping a Koi pond as a hobby has many benefits. Being a Koi hobbyist is a delightful pastime for both the young and old from all walks of life from all countries in this world - I won't talk about any of the other planets in the universe in this article. It is also a hobby which will return many hours of wonderful enjoyment, relaxation, and satisfaction. Granted it will take some time and effort on your part, but the rewards will far exceed your investment.
Stress Relief I think that most Koi owners would agree that relaxation and stress relief are two of the top benefits you receive from your established pond. It is for this reason that I decided to get back into Page 8 Mid-Atlantic Koi
the hobby after an absence of several years. When you sit down in front of your pond and observe the fish swimming around, feeding, or just interacting with each other, you can become very relaxed. The longer you sit there, the more relaxed you feel. Observe and study the routine antics of your fish and zero in on a particular one or two. Before you know it, all the stress you had felt after your working day ended has virtually disappeared. It is often difficult to forget about, even if only for a brief period of time, those things which had us stressed to begin with. A pond, believe it or not, will do the trick. A well decorated and maintained pond has a way of adding peace and harmony to just about any environment. Ponds will capture the attention of individuals in an inconspicuous and seemingly hypnotic manner. Many will find themselves closely watching the fish, plants, and water movement without even being aware that they have been mesmerized.
Educational There are many different types of Koi, each having its own set of attractions and personalities. Some swim near the top of the water most of the time, while others swim near the bottom. Different sexes feed differently. Basically, every fish is different and seemingly more interesting in various ways from the rest. There is a lot which can be learned by both adults and children. This seems to occur instinctively, as the interest to know such things as different types, behavior, and natural environment increases.
Expand Upon Your Creativity Duplicating their world; Hmmmm. Herein lies a great opportunity for you to expand upon your March 2014
creativity. You get to create their environment virtually any way you see fit. Sure, you need to supply the fish with the proper type of water conditions, but beyond that let your creativity run wild. The pond background, trees, rocks, plants, filtration, aeration, configuration of the pond itself, etc., are all based upon what you want to see and your creativity. This is generally an exciting part of the hobby for everyone involved when building your pond. Many times a hobbyist will eventually maintain more than one pond. Quite often each of their ponds will have a different environment for the different species of fish they keep (one for Koi, one for goldfish).
Learn Responsibility It becomes your duty to provide a pond which provides as much of a natural environment as possible to the fish you keep. To provide such an environment is relatively easy. The proper caring for and maintenance of that same environment is relatively easy as well. However, herein lies another great opportunity. This time the opportunity is learning about ownership and responsibility, more especially for children or young adults. Additionally, once the responsibility aspect is under control, what a great feeling of pride and accomplishment you will be left with. Have you ever been invited to someone's home so they could show you their fish pond? What a great sense of pride they must have.
Adds an Air of Grace and Dignity Koi ponds generally are placed in special places in homes where it is quite obvious to anyone who visits. A beautifully decorated and well maintained pond will generally add to the decor of any home or garden. It might even become the centerpiece of the property. You will also find ponds in many executive and professional buildings these days, e.g. doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc. Why do you think that is? Well in addition to being calming and relaxing, they have a way of adding an air of grace, dignity, March 2014
and distinction. And don’t forget the beauties at the mall or the high-class restaurant.
Meet Other Hobbyists and Share Your Knowledge Base Being a Koi hobbyist will open many doors, friendships, and relationships for you. As you learn of other people involved in the hobby, you begin to have "fishy" conversations and exchange ideas and thoughts. These people might be pond store personnel or like yourself, customers of the store. They may be family members, friends from work or neighbors. You should inquire about a local pond club or organization. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn of a local bunch of pond lovers which has existed for years without you ever hearing about it. Virtually all club members are an excellent resource of valuable information and ideas. Many Koi clubs also have guest speakers attending their meeting. Some of the guest speakers are professional hobbyists, well known throughout the local area. On the other hand, others are professional hobbyists who are known as authorities on particular, if not all aspects of the hobby, throughout the country, and/or the entire world.
In Conclusion If you decide to enter the Koi hobby, I wish you nothing but the best. It is indeed a very rewarding and worthwhile hobby to become involved in. Look me up sometime, and we can have a fishy conversation or two. ď ś
To become a member or renew is easy. Fill out the form on page 31, mail it in - and violia you are a member! Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 9
by Lois Salaun, Koi Organisation International t is highly recommended that all Koi hobbyists purchase their own microscope. A good microscope is an invaluable tool to help us diagnose parasites on our fish and is money well spent. This brief article will explain the basics of a scope and the minimum needed to view parasites on our Koi. Keep in mind that each added feature will increase the cost. The object is to buy a good quality scope for a reasonable price that will get the job done.
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First off, buy a sturdy, metal scope with metal parts. Pass on the plastic toy or children’s models. The lenses or optics (objectives) are the most important and most costly part of a scope. A quality scope will have optics (lenses) that conform to the DIN standard for threading and length. Lenses with this standard are interchangeable between scopes. In addition, the lenses should be glass, not plastic and be listed as being achromatic, another industry standard. By spending slightly more up front and staying with industry standards, you will find it easier to locate replacement parts when needed in the future. Things to consider about the eyepiece(s): we don’t spend hours looking into a scope, so if you don’t mind squinting, then get a monocular eyepiece. If you can’t wink or squint, then pay a little extra for binocular (two eyepieces). I find it easy to focus with one eye, but it’s a personal preference. An eyepiece that swivels or rotates is a nice convenience. This makes it easy for two people to sit side by side and share. Also, look for one that has a pointer in it. What about objectives (lenses)? A basic scope has three lenses of different magnifications. These are fixed on the nose piece or head which allows the user to rotate the lenses. For our purposes, lenses of 4x, 10x and 40x are adequate to find the smallest parasites. Combined with the eyepiece of 10x this will give you magnification of 40, 100 and 400 times. More expensive scopes will have a fourth objective of 100x which is an oil immersion lens and in my opinion, really more than we need.
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You will need a light source. Older style scopes relied on a mirror to reflect outdoor light. Fortunately, good scopes come with an internal light source – battery powered, electric or both. Batteries need to be charged or replaced. I have always been able to find an electric outlet near the pond to plug in a scope. More important is the type of light. You'll find one of four different types of lighting. The tungsten light bulb is the least expensive. It generates heat and can cook your sample if you leave it on too long. Fluorescent lights are available, don’t generate heat, are cheaper to use, but cost a little more. LED and Halogen lights are the most expensive. Fluorescent is nice, but if you are trying to save pennies, the tungsten is fine. Make sure you buy an extra bulb or that the bulb has a standard base and can be purchased elsewhere. Adjusting the amount of light or brightness is a consideration. This is done with a diaphragm – either a disk or iris. The disk is the cheapest and is mounted beneath the stage. It usually has six holes in it, each one progressively larger which allows more light. An iris diaphragm is constructed with several flaps in a circle (like a camera lens) that can be adjusted with a simple lever to an infinite number of settings. Again, if trying to save pennies, the disk diaphragm is adequate. A mechanical stage is a nice convenience and highly recommended. The slide - with your sample - is locked into the mechanical stage under the lenses. It has two knobs, one of which moves the slide from left to right. The other knob moves the slide forward and back. This makes it easy to scan the entire slide quickly and efficiently. Without this feature, you must move the slide by hand under the lens. - See more at: http://koiorganisationinternational.org/?q=koi-articles/how-buy-microscope#sthash.1PT6BohH.dpuf Now we need to focus on focusing. A good scope will have both a course and a fine focus with Page 12 Mid-Atlantic Koi
metal gears. Make sure your scope has a “slip clutch” or stop. A microscope with a slip clutch will allow the focus knob to turn in place without damaging the scope's focus gear system. The stop prevents the lens from crashing onto the slide on the stage and damaging the lens. A simple filter holder is built into some microscopes for color filters. Filters can be useful in providing enhanced contrast and light color correction, and can be a simple substitute for staining, which would kill live specimens. You have to buy different color filters. It’s a nice feature, but not necessary. A few final comments…If you follow the above guidelines, your scope should be more than adequate for the Koi hobby. Some folks recommend getting the 100x lens which will give a magnification of 1000x with a 10x eyepiece. This is an oil immersion lens. I don’t have this lens and haven’t missed it, but it is useful for examining culture samples. Some microscopes do not support 1000x magnification. If you think you might want to add it later, buy a scope with the fourth location in the head that will accommodate it. Confirm that the condenser will work with a 100x lens. If you will be traveling a lot with your scope, buy a case for it. If you don’t purchase a case, at least buy a plastic cover to keep it clean. Don’t forget to buy slides and cover slips. I recommend glass cover slips for the least distortion, but they break easily. Use plastic cover slips when working with children. There are many additional options available to fancy up your microscope. You can buy a camera attachment to take pictures or videos of your slide samples. These can be uploaded to a computer, and in some cases, the slides can be viewed on your computer screen. If you think you might want these features later, just make sure the scope you buy will accommodate them. March 2014
Adequate Flow Through a Bioconverter by Ken Austin, Texas, Certified Koi Keeper - Koi Organisation International
low through the bioconverter of a Koi pond is also called the turnover rate. The term turnover comes from the concept that when the entire volume of water in the pond is pumped through the bioconverter, the pond is said to have been turned over. The number of turnovers per hour refers to how many times the volume of the pond is pumped through the bioconverter per hour.
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Turnover rate determines the speed at which various pollutants are removed from the pond water. Since water through the bioconverter is also then aerated (e.g. waterfall), the turnover rate determines the speed cleaned/aerated water is returned to the pond. If your pond suffers from high ammonia levels, a higher turnover rate will reduce the ammonia. That is because the bacteria in the bioconverter will come in contact with a higher volume of water each day and thus have the opportunity to remove more ammonia. If your pond suffers from cloudy water, a higher turnover rate will remove the particulates that are causing the cloudiness at a faster rate. This also means the mechanical filtration (pond system components that trap solids, algae and debris) will clog faster and need more frequent cleaning. Yes, it does take a little bit of work to have clear water. If your pond suffers from low oxygen levels, a higher turnover rate will expose more water to the atmosphere each day and that will increase the oxygen level. On hot summer days this is important because oxygen levels will be lowest when the water is at its warmest temperature. March 2014
Smaller ponds require a higher turnover rate than larger ponds. That is because the pollutants are concentrated in a smaller volume of water. In a small pond, a chemical like ammonia can easily rise to highly toxic levels in a short amount of time. Adequate flow through the bioconverter keeps the levels of ammonia and other pollutants in check. Increasing the turnover rate can be achieved by replacing existing pump(s) with larger pump(s) or by adding another pump to the system. This additional flow can then have potentially bad effects in the circulation system, such as: • Enclosed filters may be over-pressured • Gravity flow systems may exceed their operating capability • Mechanical filters may lose efficiency at the higher flow rates. Treat a low turnover rate as a system problem and get help and advice from someone knowledgeable of pond filtration system design.
Do you know that you can read a digital version of this magazine with a “page flipper” on www.issuu.com? Take a look and see how it works. It is almost like reading a printed magazine.
http://issuu.com/mid-atlantic_koi_magazine
You will also find back issues.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 13
Sexing Goldfish and Koi by Steve Hopkins, Rain Garden Ornamentals, Hawaii
t is often useful to know the sex of a goldfish or Koi. For some, knowing the sex is only important insofar as it allows them to select an appropriate name for their pet. Many Koi keepers prefer females as show fish because they tend to grow larger. Others prefer male Koi as they develop faster and are less likely to outgrow the confines of the pond. Some feel that goldfish and Koi males have slightly brighter colors.
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Avoiding having Koi spawn may be desirable as the rough and tumble spawning process can damage valuable fish and the release and deterioration of eggs and milt can degrade water quality. Of course, if you are trying to breed goldfish or Koi it is important to know the sex of each individual. To control the time of spawning, the males and females are often separated beforehand. Selected individuals can then be paired to improve the quality of the offspring. Separating the sexes beforehand is also helps induce spawning. Short of using a high - tech method like DNA analysis, it is difficult to impossible to determine the sex of Koi or goldfish before they are mature. Sexual maturity usually occurs at about one year of age in goldfish but the range can be from nine months to almost two years. Goldfish will generally be three to five inches when they become mature. A few Koi males are mature when they are not much more than one year old but, generally, Koi are not mature until they are at least two and some females will not be mature until they are three years old. Fish mature more quickly in Page 14 Mid-Atlantic Koi
warmer water. Determining the sex of goldfish and Koi becomes much easier as the spawning season approaches. There are numerous approaches to judging the sex of a goldfish or Koi: • conformation, • tubercles, • vent shape , • expressing milt, • cannulation, and • behavior. Some approaches are more reliable and others are easier to use. It is common to use more than one characteristic in determining sex and the amount of effort invested in determining the sex depends of the level of accuracy required.
Conformation The overall shape of the body, or the conformation, is the most common characteristic used to determine the sex of display fish. This characteristic is subjective. It requires a trained eye, and is far from fool-proof. Females tend to be broader and more robust whereas males are more streamlined. Females also become deeper - bodied than males. This is particularly useful in evaluating goldfish in aquaria where they are viewed from the side. As the breeding season approaches, females develop roe and the differences become more apparent. Females developing eggs may become slightly asymmetrical or lop-sided with one side bulging more than the other. Improper feeding practices and some health - related issues can cause a Koi March 2014
Tubercles
Culling Koi - can you tell male from female at this size?
to develop a “pot belly” which makes it nearly impossible to use body conformation as an indicator of gender. Body shape can be somewhat useful in determining the sex of comets or shubunkin goldfish, but is of less value when evaluating ryukin, ranchu and the fancier varieties, which always have a distended abdomen. The females will still become broader as the eggs develop, but the change may not be as obvious. There is a tendency for the leading ray of the pectoral fins to be longer and thicker in males than females. This is not a reliable characteristic and even less useful in long-fin varieties. In females, the leading ray of the anal fin may be thicker. Typically, the overall body shape is used to indicate the sex, but if being positive about the gender is imperative then other characteristics must be considered as well. March 2014
Breeding tubercles often develop on the gill opercula (gill plates) and/or the leading edge of the pectoral fins of male goldfish and Koi. In the spawning process, the male will position the female at the surface between himself and the spawning substrate (aquatic plants or artificial spawning material). The male will push the female’s abdomen up and towards the spawning material, which causes her to release eggs as the male simultaneously releases milt. The breeding tubercles are thought to help the male get traction and keep from slipping when he presses against the female’s abdomen.
Some describe the breeding tubercles as a sand paper texture on the gill plates. Others say they are small bumps. Koi are less likely to have tubercles on the pectoral fins than are goldfish. On goldfish, there is often what appears to be a row of white pimples on the leading edge of the pectoral fins. However, breeding tubercles are not always present and they may disappear after the breeding season. Some males never develop tubercles. Older males are more likely to retain tubercles throughout the year. The presence of breeding tubercles is a pretty good sign that the fish is a male, but the absence of tubercles does not necessarily mean it’s a female.
Vent Shape The shape of the vent can provide useful clues about a fish’s gender; particularly as the breeding season approaches. A male’s vent tends to be elongated or triangular in shape. There may be a Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 15
distinctive elongated genital papilla on the rear portion of the vent opening. A female’s vent is more round. As the spawning season approaches, the female’s vent will begin to protrude and take on a convex instead of a concave shape.
clove oil per gallon of water and transfer the fish to clean aerated water immediately after inspection to revive it.
Expressing Milt
During the spawning season, the female Koi vent often has a blush of red color around its perimeter. The goldfish female has a distinctly protruding vent, which can be easily seen from a side view as the spawning season approaches. Some goldfish males develop a slight ridge on their abdomen, which extends from the pelvic fins back to the vent opening.
When inspecting the vent, check for the presence of milt. Males will usually have milt before and during the breeding season. To check for milt, press the abdomen between the thumb and forefinger while simultaneously running your hand back towards the vent. This is a milking action. Use no more pressure than is needed. For Koi, this is about the same amount of pressure needed to dimple a tennis ball.
Goldfish can be netted and held upside down to inspect the vent. For Koi, which are two years old or more, it is usually necessary to anesthetize them to keep them from struggling while the vent is inspected. Both Koi and goldfish can be anesthetized with clove oil, which is usually available at the local pharmacy. Mix ten drops of
Watch the vent closely for the presence of the white milt. The presence of milt definitely proves the fish is male. The absence of milt tells you very little but may be a useful clue when combined with other characteristics such as vent shape. On rare occasions, eggs may be expelled when checking for milt. This will only occur during a
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short period of time after the fish has ovulated and it indicates that spawning is imminent. The area between the pelvic fins and the anal fin is often more pliable in females while this area is firm in males.
Cannulation Cannulation involves inserting a small tube into the fish’s vent and removing a sample of eggs or milt. It is most often used to check for the stage of egg development when using hormone injections prior to artificial spawning. However, cannulation can also be used to determine sex. A small plastic or glass tube with an inside diameter of 0.9 to 1.0 millimeters is connected to a length of flexible surgical tubing. The end of a plastic cannulation tube should be cut smooth with a scalpel (not scissors) and lightly flamed to remove the sharp edge. A glass tube should also scored with a file and broken and then flamed to remove sharp edges.
March 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 17
With the fish anesthetized, the tube is inserted into the vent. The vent area has an anal opening to the intestine and a urogenital opening to the gonads. The anal opening is in the front and the urogenital opening is to the rear. The tube is inserted into the urogenital opening at an angle, which generally points towards the nose of the fish. The tube is inserted about 1/8 to 3/8 inch for goldfish or 1/2 to 1 inch for Koi. The flexible tubing is held in the mouth (your mouth, not the fish’s mouth) and a slight suction is used to draw a sample of eggs or milt into the cannulation tube. If the fish is a male, the sample will be a white milky fluid. If it is a female, eggs will be found. The eggs will be about the same size as the inside diameter of the tube. This technique must be used with some caution. Practice on fish, which you can afford to lose before using cannulation on your best breeders. The immediate danger is that the tube will puncture the wall of the gonad. A more insidious danger is that water will be inserted into the end
MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers Tom Burton
Middletown, NJ
732-671-7045
Jan & Bill Fogle Wayne, PA
610-687-3105
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. Page 18 Mid-Atlantic Koi
of the ovary causing eggs to swell and create a blockage called egg impaction. This is a serious condition, which can kill the fish.
Behavior A final way to determine the gender of a goldfish or Koi is by watching its behavior at spawning time. Some say that if a known female is introduced into a tank or pond, all the males will soon come over to “check her out” while the other females will show little interest. Several days before spawning, “chasing” or “following” will begin. Males will follow ovulating females around; often staying just behind and below them. Other females will show no interest. Males will occasionally chase other males, but only when there are no females present. The chasing behavior will intensify as the spawning day nears. Spawning usually begins early in the morning – well before dawn in Koi and about dawn in goldfish. The fact that the fish are spawning is usually obvious because there will be some foam on the water and every few minutes there will be the tell - tale splash as a male bumps a female pushing her up out of the water. Usually, one or two males will be doing all the heavy lifting and will be fertilizing most of the eggs. However, it is not uncommon for other smaller males to attempt to take part in the spawning process and their behavior at this time can be used to discern the sex of nearly all the fish in the pond or tank. Of course, by this time, it is too late to do much except sit back and watch. Since most Koi and goldfish have distinctive markings, which can be used to differentiate individuals, this may be a good time to make some sketches and notes on which fish are males and which are females. Next time, you may want to separate the sexes beforehand or control the pairings. Thus, having a list of who’s who will be very useful and save a lot of time and effort when trying to sort them all out again.
March 2014
What is a Koi Pond? by Carolyn Weise, Florida
O
ne of the most common catch phrases today is “Koi pond”. Almost everyone is adding one to their yard. And yet, while some are an acre in size, others are small 4´x 6´ preformed ponds from Home Depot. So, the question is: what makes it a “Koi pond” and how do you know if you have one? When landscaping a new yard, most people do not plant a Redwood tree right in front of their living room window. Maybe a Redwood tree would look nice at the back of the property, if you have the room for one, two or three of them. In the same way, I do see many homes with huge, overgrown Rhododendron shrubs that hide the face of the home, and the view. When they were planted, they were not planned properly. When it comes to ponds, we need to consider what it will look like when it “grows up” for it to be a thing of value-- a real Koi pond.
First, you have to understand that Koi are a very large-growing fish. No, not all will grow to be 36˝ but that is the general size of a mature Koi. Planning to keep a 36˝ Koi, let alone 6 of them, in a 500 gallon pond is… not planning. It’s just filling up a new pond with fish. So, why not fill it with 6 smaller fish, like goldfish or shubunkins? The reason is that – everybody wants a “Koi pond”… but there doesn’t seem to be any logical reasoning when making the decision. Koi have long been a status symbol, perhaps an abused status symbol. They are crammed into fish tanks and 100 gallon ponds, where the complaint is “algae” with no notice of the fish’s rapid growth. They have a long life span. What happens when these big fish outgrow the confines of a too-small pond? Are they “released into the wild” (which is illegal in many states and should be in all of them). These are not native fish to North America waterways. But they will survive and will displace many March 2014
indigenous species in their wake. Are they offered to a pet shop to be re-sold? That’s a better substitute, but not ideal. Are there enough local ponds to take all your ‘out-grows’? There will be for a while, but it won’t last long. Their ponds will quickly over-fill, too. Will somebody tell you about doing more water changes in order to keep all your fish? It works, but the fish never get the exercise necessary for complete development. They will die at an early age from internal organ problems and yet, look “perfectly fine”. When Koi die, we always look at the outside to see what killed them, right? How many know to look at their lifestyle & living conditions as the (probable) cause? Yep, Koi are big, strong fish and have to have sufficient room to exercise their muscles. I know it’s hard to envision all this when shopping for a 2-3˝ baby Koi. So, what IS a Koi pond?? Right now, people think if it has a Koi in it, it’s a Koi pond. But a Koi pond is much more! It has to be large enough to hold the mature fish and have sufficient filtration to keep the water clean for these fish throughout their lifetime. Figuring they will spawn at 3 years of age and every spring thereafter, you need a programmed regimen to remove the progeny before they crowd out your parent fish. You need to know that the inexpensive fish will lose their color earlier in life, usually. It is important to know that spending a lot of money on a good fish is a decent investment. You need to pre-plan to prevent predation. Predators are everywhere and most are fish-eaters. You need to understand that algae will be a part of your life. Cleaning filters, doing water changes and the emergency repairs are all part of having a Koi pond. I think if we looked at a Koi like it was a horse, we’d have a better understanding of what it entails to own a Koi pond. It is a lifetime commitment. The cheapest thing about a horse or a Koi is the purchase price. Now, what have YOU paid for your Koi and do you have a Koi pond… or is it something else? Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 19
Health Care Part 1 by Ben Plonski, Laguna Koi Ponds, California
Disease Prevention I would like to discuss the importance of disease prevention. Our Koi are very strong fish and do have some natural immunity to disease organisms, if we take care to provide them with a healthy pond. Just like people, Koi's natural immunities break down when stress factors become overwhelming. Our goal as Koi keepers is to understand and manage these stress factors. Careful pond management will minimize the outbreak of disease. Let's discuss some of these stress factors.
Stress Factors Koi health depends directly on good water quality. We must provide a clean and healthy pond environment. A dirty pond is a breeding ground for disease organisms. The Koi's own waste and excess food are the main source of pollution in a pond other than leaves and debris blown in from the wind. A good filter system will remove the waste products, which accumulate and make our Koi sick. These waste products are ammonia, nitrite, carbon dioxide, solid waste and sludge. Some of these can be tested for with simple and inexpensive test kits. The filter system removes these waste products by the action of good bacteria, which grow in the filter. This is called a biofilter. The bacteria in the biofilter consume a lot of oxygen. A dirty pond consumes a lot of oxygen. The Koi also need optimal levels of oxygen to maintain disease resistance. As you can see, oxygen is a very important factor and must be continuously provided 24 hours a day. A waterfall, aeration jets or an air pump are all good sources of oxygen. A dirty pond with low oxygen levels may have a low pH, which is a measurement of acidity in the pond. pH measPage 20 Mid-Atlantic Koi
urements become more acid over the course of time. Koi need a stable and slightly higher or alkaline pH. Monthly partial water changes along with good filtration and aeration will help keep the pH stable. Another big stress factor is a change in temperature. Koi have a tolerance for a wide range of temperatures. However, temperature changes must occur slowly. Koi's metabolism takes time to adjust to changes in temperature. The Koi's immune system is weakened by large temperature changes. Do not expose Koi to changes of more than 5째F up or down within a 24 hour period. A Koi's immune system is the strongest above 65째F. Large, deep ponds are more stable in temperature. Excessive handling can really stress your Koi. Be careful when catching Koi; move slowly and never lift them from the water in a net. Rather, the Koi should be guided with the net into a tub or bowl for moving or inspection. Nets can scratch the protective slime coating off the Koi. This can open them up to infection. One of the biggest stresses on the Koi is overcrowding. Too many fish will produce a lot of waste and consume large quantities of oxygen. A lot of maintenance is required on overcrowded ponds as your margin for error is greatly reduced. Overcrowded ponds are more susceptible to disease because it is easier for parasites and bacteria to find a weak Koi. All Koi have parasites and pathogenic bacteria on their bodies. Too much stress will weaken the Koi and the pathogens can proliferate.
March 2014
Observations of Koi Behavior. Before we can recognize sick Koi we must understand what normal Koi behavior is. When we maintain a healthy pond we can observe normal healthy Koi behavior. Healthy Koi will swim freely around the pond together; actively searching for food when water temperature is above 50°F. In general the Koi show interest in each other and eagerly accept food. Their fins will be held out straight. The gill movements will be relaxed. The eyes will be clear and the colors will be bright. As you become familiar with normal behavior you will recognize any deviations, which will be the clue that something is just not right. Sick Koi may hang off by themselves away from the crowd. They may list at the surface gasping for air or remain motionless at the bottom of the pond. They may not feed as eagerly as usual. Sick Koi may produce a lot of mucous and the skin or eyes may look cloudy white. Koi produce mucous to protect themselves from parasites or bad water. Often the colors will fade or the skin may appear pinkish. Some diseases will cause the Koi to rub themselves on the bottom of the pond or they may leap from the water in an effort to rid themselves of the problem. Scratching or jumping is not done in fun. Parasites and /or poor water quality are usually the cause. Spend time watching your Koi every day so you will notice problems early. Some Koi diseases can spread very rapidly and early diagnosis helps ensure a successful recovery. Process of Investigation. When we observe abnormal Koi behavior we must begin an investigation into the possible cause. Abnormal behavior may be the result of a stress factor alone. The behavior may also be the result of a specific disease organism. The Koi's symptoms are a generic reaction. The symptoms are not a conclusive indication of disease. We must first understand and alleviate the cause of the stress before we can successfully treat any disease organisms. Let's consider the process of investigation. March 2014
We can begin our investigation by testing the pond water and environment first. •
Test for oxygen. Results should be above 5 ppm, preferably 8ppm or higher.
•
Test for ammonia and nitrite. These tests should read zero.
•
Test the pH. A range between 7.0 and 8.0 is acceptable. However, daily fluctuations of more than 0.2 are stressful. A stable pH is important. These tests will give you clues about the water quality. Poor water quality must be corrected. Careful consideration should be given to your filter system and your management techniques.
•
Check the pond for obvious dirt and organic matter. Dirty ponds consume too much oxygen and are a breeding ground for pathogens.
•
Check for temperature changes. Have the Koi recently been exposed to temperature changes of more than 5°F? Thermally stressed Koi take time to recover their full strength and may fall prey to pathogens during recovery.
•
Check for chlorine. Chlorine and chloramine are added by the city water companies to disinfect tap water. Untreated tap water will kill your Koi very quickly if not neutralized. Be sure to use a proper tap water conditioner on all new tap water going into the pond.
•
Do not allow any runoff from your garden to enter the pond. Insecticides and fertilizers are extremely toxic and should be used cautiously around the pond.
•
Have new Koi been recently added? New Koi will be weak and may need time to adjust. New Koi can initiate disease Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 21
outbreaks. New Koi can have parasites, which may spread to the others. Adding new Koi may require preventive treatments or quarantine. Fortunately, a stable population of Koi in a healthy pond can become resistant to their own set of pathogens. A stable pond environment should be every Koi keepers goal. Every effort should be made to correct or prevent environmental stress factors as soon as possible. Once we determine that the pond environment is not the cause of abnormal behavior, we can consider the possibility of parasites being the problem. Although a microscope may be required for an accurate diagnosis of some parasites, access to a microscope may not be practical. Fortunately, we can divide parasites into a few groups which can be treated without actually knowing the specific parasite. These groups can be divided into parasites which are visible to the naked eye and parasites, which are microscopic. Eliminating possibilities can lead us to a reasonable conclusion and course of action. Now is the time to gently scoop the Koi into a shallow tub for a visual inspection. Use a large Koi net designed to collect the Koi without actually lifting him from the water. Scoop him into a special round blue tub with enough water to just expose his top fin; this will reduce jumping. Look closely at the skin and fins of the Koi. We will first look for obvious parasites which are visible to the naked eye. Secondly, we will consider the possibility of microscopic parasites. These two categories of parasites will require two separate treatment programs. Visible Parasites. Large parasites like fish lice and anchor worm can be seen when the Koi is up close. Fish lice look like a round greenish clear bug on the skin and fins, about an 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch in size. Anchor worm appear as a greenish or white thread which sticks out from under the Koi's scale also 1/8 to 3/8 inch in size. Anchor Page 22 Mid-Atlantic Koi
worm attaches itself with hooks under the scale. Fish lice can cover the whole body in severe cases. Early infestations of both these parasites cause a lot of irritation to the Koi who will jump and scratch on the pond walls frequently and the Koi become increasingly weaker and tend to huddle together on the bottom. Both of these parasites bore into the skin and cause inflammation around the attachment site. Sometimes a red sore is all you will originally see from a distance. These red sores can lead to a bacterial infection if left untreated. Fortunately, fish lice and anchor worm are easily treated with Trichlorfon or Dimilin.
Treatment of Visible Parasites Use a Trichlorfon based medication (Trichloracide®) in the pond according to directions on the product. This medication can be found in any good Koi retail center. The parasites have a life cycle, which is temperature dependent. Parasite infestations above 60°F usually require one application treated every 5 to 7 days for a total of 4 treatments. Parasite infestations below 60°F may require treatment every 10 days for a total of 4 treatments. When water temperature is below 50°F these visible parasites do not reproduce very quickly and are not usually a problem. Be aware that Trichlorfon is deactivated more quickly in warm alkaline pond water. Dosage rates may need to be increased if your pond pH is over 8.0 and temperature is above 78°F. Use extreme caution. The Trichlorfon treatment will kill the adult stage of fish lice. The Koi will feel much better after the first treatment. The eggs of fish lice are protected from medication. The follow up treatments will kill the newly hatched larval stages. Adult anchor worm on the other hand is not killed by the Trichlorfon. The treatments will kill the larval stages only. 4 to 5 treatments may be required to eliminate the life cycle and adult stage. Adult anchor worm can be removed carefully with a tweezers by pulling the March 2014
parasite straight back towards the tail of the Koi. This technique is tricky. Give the Koi a salt bath with 1 pound of rock salt per 5 gals. for 5 minutes, only. The exact salt bath technique is given later. This will calm the Koi down and loosen the anchor worm’s grasp. The hooks of the anchor worm must be pulled out otherwise the parasite will grow back. Apply a dab of Mercurochrome to the attachment site to hinder bacterial infection. Treat obvious visible parasites first. When sick Koi do not show any visible parasites, we must consider the possibility of microscopic parasites.
Microscopic Parasites Microscopic parasites cannot be seen on the Koi's body during a visual inspection. What can be seen is a milky mucous or excess slime on the body and fins. Check the eyes for a white film. The Koi produces mucous to protect himself from parasites. The mucous is the Koi's first line of defense against pathogenic organisms. Never lift the Koi from the water in a net because this mucous can be removed. Other symptoms of possible parasites are a pinkish color to the skin with many red veins apparent. The Koi may be weak or lack appetite. Pectoral fins are often held in clamped to the body. The Koi may scratch on the pond walls or try to jump from the water. Again these are generic stress reactions and do not define any specific parasite. Fortunately, the microscopic parasites associated with these symptoms can be treated with a few common medications. The actual species of parasite does not need to be identified. Instead, the hobbyist can go through a systematic treatment program which will control most of the potential parasites.
Next Issue In the next issue we will talk about treatment and how to accurately determine your ponds gallonage. March 2014
Treasurer’s Report Submitted by Anthony Vitale, New York Balance as of December 31, 2013 $16,407.87 Income: Memberships Memberships - New Total Income
64.00 72.50
Expenses: Meetings Printing/Publication Total Expenses
72.53 800.00
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$136.50
$872.53 $15,671.84
Outstanding Item: Accounts Receivable Tri-State Koi Club Book Balance
500.00
$16,171.84
Reserve Account/Prepaid Memberships
Balance as of January 30, 2014 Club Total Balance
$6,324.19 $22,496.03
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 23
Salt Tolerance Chart http://www.bonniesplants.com/salt_vs.html
Plant
0.10%
Anacharis
D
0.20%
0.30%
Arum - Calla
D
Bacopa
D
Blue Bells Chic-Chi
D
Bog Bean
D
0.40%
Bog Lily
D
Button Bush
D
Canna Cat Tail Graceful D
Cardinal Flower
D
Cotton Grass
D
Duckweed
D
Fairy Moss
Floating Heart
D
Forget-Me-Not
D
Frog Bit
D
Hibiscus
Notes
D
Top die back @ 0.5%
D
Turned brown but did not die @ 0.5%
D
Top die back @ 0.5%
D
Houttuynia
D
Iris*
D
Lavender Musk
D
Lizards Tail Lotus
0.60%
D
Cat Tail - Mini
Hornwort
0.50%
D
Top die back @ 0.4%
D
Manna Grass
Papyrus, Dwarf
Page 24 Mid-Atlantic Koi
D
D
March 2014
Plant
0.10%
0.20%
0.30%
0.40%
Papyrus, Egyptian
D
Parrots Feather
D
Pickerel Rush
0.50%
D
Perennial Rice
D
Primrose Creeper
D
Rush, Blue
D
Rush, Striped
D
Rush, Zebra
D
Sensitive Plant
D
Star Grass
D
Sweet Flag
D
Taro - Black Magic
D
Taro - Green
D
Thalia delbata Umbrella Palm Baby's Breath
D
Water Celery Water Chestnut Water Clover
D
Water Clover, Variegated
D
Water Fringe
D
Water Hyacinth*
D
Water Lettuce*
D
Water Lily
D
Water Mint
D
Water Snowflake
D
March 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 25
Sunshine Column
Need to Change Your email or Home Address? Have Questions about your Membership Status?
Please include Sue and Ron Kardynski in your thoughts as they both have been ill over the last year. We hope the California sun & warmth will give them both a healthy recovery to all that ails them. We're pulling for them. Know someone to list in our Sunshine Column Email Carolyn Weise, Editor makcmag@makc.com
Contact: Barry Hixson 5465 Towanda Dr. Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-262-5184 or makcmembers@verizon.net Renew Your MAKC Membership by printing out page 31 and mailing it to Barry.
Books Available on Amazon.com KOISHI by Mamoru Kodama Learn about Japanese Koi Breeding, Farms and the Breeders. Read the history of Koi varieties and great insights to Koi in Japan.
ABC’s of Ponds – Have a friend interested in building a pond? Are you a beginner? This beautifully illustrated hard cover book is packed with pond & water feature fundamentals plus many little known secrets to successful pond keeping!
The RISE Method Want to learn how to make your pond projects look more natural? Written by Rick Bartel, international acclaimed pond builder.
Page 26 Mid-Atlantic Koi
March 2014
On the Road to a Koi Event
M A KC E v e n t Saugerties Chapter Meeting
March 1–2
Koi Club of San Digeo 27th Koi Show San Digeo, California Check club’s website for updates www.koiclubofsandiego.org (new web address)
March 7–9
Sunday, April 27 Inquiring Minds Bookstore Saugerties, New York Contact Herb Ehrich for additional information (845) 247-7105 · koiking15@yahoo.com
Central Florida Koi Show 2014 Orlando, Florida www.cfks.org
March 29
1st Annual Deep South Koi and Pond Societ Koi and Goldfish Show Baton Rouge, Louisiana The Deep South Koi and Pond Society in Baton Rouge, LA has just announced their inaugural Koi and Goldfish Show in conjunction with the LSU Garden Show at the LSU Agricultural Center For the inaugural show entrants will be limited to the Baton Rouge and surrounding area. http://www.deepsouthkoi.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. 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 by helping. Take advantage of being an MAKC member and participate in the club events. See you soon at a Koi event. March 2014
Send your meeting and event information to Carolyn Weise 516-640-6490 or makcmag@makc.com Deadline March 1st for the April 2014 issue.
Aquaponics Technology & Design Workshop April 1-5, 2014 Apopka, FL Learn every aspect of commerical aquaponics, from system design to plant and fish production to marketing and economics.
407-886-3939 • PentairAES.com Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 27
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.
HOUSE FOR SALE. 519 Claremont Dr. Flat Rock, NC 28731
MAKC Member Needs Your Help Non-fish-eating cats, won't hurt your pond fish! - LOVING CATS NEED GOOD HOMES. Passing of spouse forces me to find homes for both inside and outside cats. All neutered. Phone 973-390-6490 with what you are looking for and we can match you with your new best friend.
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 Philip 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).
• • • • • •
Price: $599,000 Beds: 3 Bed Baths: 3 Full, 2 Half Bath House Size: 4,067 Sq Ft Lot Size: 1.1 Acres Year Built: 1994
http://www.wncrmls.com/wnc/ maildoc/sd_Q8u1QO20130923150730.html
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 28 Mid-Atlantic Koi
Contact Patricia Shub, dunedog@bellsouth.net or phone 950-298-4600 QUALITY SHOW KOI. Show quality Koi for sale. Need to thin out my pond contact philiegray@mac.com
WANTED KOI. Foster Home. Large natural pond. Happy to accept your overgrown or unwanted “children.” Call Rich Menashe in Metuchen, NJ, 732-767-0720. March 2014
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 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. MAKC WEBMASTER- Needed immediately. Update club website one to two times a month on average. Please E-mail Philip Gray at philiegray@mac.com or call 516-486-5163.
www.makc.com March 2014
Mid-Atlantic Koi Ad Index Aquaculture Bead Filter Specialists . . . . . . . .7, 4 Aquatic Nutrition –
Long Island Fish Hospital . . . .6 Matala USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Mazuri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Blackwater Gold–N . . . . . . . .6
Microbe-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Books on Amazon . . . . . . . . .26
Nisei Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . .7, 17
Hikari . . . . . . . . . .7, Back Cover
Pentair Aquatic
Kloubec Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . .6
Eco-Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . .17
Kodama Koi Farm . . . . . . .7, 16
Quality Koi Company . . . .7, 17
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. *With an annual 10 issue contract.
Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 29
Pictures to Share
n our absences our neighbors took good care of our house. They must of felt sorry for us and wanted to welcome us back with a little Michigan flavor. So in our backyard they put in a Koi pond. They even stocked it with an unusual Koi. At first it looked like a long fin Yamabuki then it took on a reddish gin rin effect to look more like a Benigoi. I thought, ok maybe a muted Kumonryu. Like my Ochiba, I was able to pick up the fish and examine it. On her belly was an identifying marking that looked like China and was purchased at a local pet store. I didn't put a protected net over it. I figured if Mr. Heron comes by let him be surprised too. See photo.
I
Page 30 Mid-Atlantic Koi
I can't figure it out, where ever I go it seems that people pull practical jokes on me. I asked Sue about it and she said go look in the mirror. I did and saw a normal guy smiling at me as if he was up to something. One of these days I'll figure it out. Photo shared by MAKC Member Ron Kardynski. Have a picture to share? Send your photos to the Editor, Carolyn Weise at makcmag@makc.com. ď ś
March 2014
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 2014
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