mak_novdec2015

Mid~Atlantic Koi The Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club

November/December 2015

Mid~Atlantic Koi The Membership Magazine of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club

Volume 29, Number 5

November/December 2015

—Upcoming Events Central Chapter Meeting . . . . . . . . . . .29 Long Island Chapter Meeting . . . . . . .29 Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter Meetings 29 South Chapter Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Checklist to Prepare Your Pond for Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Peggy Milfeld, California

—MAKC News A Word From Your Vice President . . . . . . . .4 From the Editor’s Desk . . . . .6 Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . .28 MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers . . . . . . . .29 F..A..S..T Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Mid-Atlantic Koi Deadlines for Articles, Meeting Announcements and Ads Jan/Feb Issue Deadline: Available Online:

Beginner’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

December 1 January 1

Common Parasites and Recommended Treatments . . . . . . . . . .13 Karl Schoeler, Minnesota

Feeding Koi During the Winter Months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Linda Montgomery, KHA

Long Term Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Ed Keene, DCAS

Thinking of Retiring, Moving South? .22 Carolyn Weise, Florida

Koi Crazy at Koi Crazy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 RoseMarie Ehrich, New York

By the Lily Pond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Gia Lanigan

March Issue Deadline: Available Online:

February 1 March 1

On the Road to a Koi Event . . . . . . . . . .28 American Goldfish Association Bubble Eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 The Bekko - It’s All About the Sumi . . .33 Peggy Milfeld, California

Page 2 Mid-Atlantic Koi

Feeding time.

Pictures to Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Photo by Carolyn Weise

MAKC Membership Application . . . . .37

November/December 2015

A Word From Your Vice President

by Herb Ehrich Suggestions4MAKC@gmail.com

reetings to all! It is a privilege to have this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to many Koi friends who have helped make 2015 a wonderful and successful year for MAKC.

G

Firstly, thank you to our President, Joann Mead.

Because of Jo’s leadership, MAKC thrives. Since taking office in June 2014, she has collected outstanding funds due the club, she has been instrumental in getting the MAKC trailer safely to her property, and she has rebuilt relationships with other clubs and has reconnected with current members and former members who had drifted away. Many are once again active and the club membership has increased. Thanks to Jo we now have an active South Chapter and Central Chapter.

Jo has done an outstanding job and I am honored to work alongside of her.

Thank you to Carolyn Weise the editor of this online magazine. Carolyn works tirelessly to organize and edit the items that will be appearing in the magazine. Thank you for the many reminders to get things in on time! To Cindy Graham, our publisher who is always willing to help out with her advice or expertise, thank you.

Thank you to our Chapter Vice Presidents, Bruce Levine, Bruce Damme, and Alan Mickelson. With them, I feel like part of a super team working together for the benefit of our members.

I look forward to a promising New Year 2016, and ask for increased participation in the months ahead. The Saugerties Chapter has a new name; we are now called the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter.

Our name has changed and we have grown. Our members live not only in the Saugerties community, but also in the neighboring areas.

Exciting times are on the horizon as we prepare for three special events which will surely help to grow our membership. The three upcoming events are the Winter Event at Adams Fairacre Farms, the Garlic Festival and the Mum Festival both held in Saugerties during next Fall.

We need volunteers for these events and to help take inventory on the items in the MAKC trailer; we are in desperate need of a Secretary for the club. Frankly, I am uncertain of the direction this club can take without a secretary. Our president has been assuming the duties and it is long overdue for a member to step up and assist, so as a club, we can continue to grow, flourish and learn all there is to know about the Art of Koi and Water Keeping.

In closing, I would like to remind everyone that I am custodian of a number of Koi related items, which are available for sale. All proceeds benefit MAKC. Just contact me if you have any questions, or if you are interested in making a purchase.

Happy Holidays to All!

Last, but not least, thank you to Anthony Vitale and Sarah Johnson, our treasurer and webmaster respectively who put in many hours of hard work to keep our books and Website up-to-date.

Page 4 Mid-Atlantic Koi

Herb Ehrich

November/December 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

Mid-Hudson Valley 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 kgwgclub@earthlink.net 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 37.

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.

November/December 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 makcmag@makc.com

FAST Ads Editor, Joann Mead

( 845) 389-5712

jo_mead@earthlink.net

jo_mead@earthlink.net

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 5

From the Editor’s Desk

by Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com

e have reached the end of 2015, learned a lot more about Koi keeping and have seen resurgence in membership. This is all great news. It is the time for rest and reflection. There is still time to get a few lastminute chores done, but for the most part, this is it.

W

I want to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, or whatever holiday you choose to celebrate. I’ve thrown in an invitation to our “old-timers” up north, in case you are feeling old and might be considering a warmer climate. You don’t have to give up Koi.

Fall/Winter Prep guidelines with us. We thank them for their excellent information.

Linda Montgomery has again generously shared her wisdom on feeding Koi (in winter months). Remember, feeding will still depend upon your area and water temps.

Enjoy the Goldfish Standards and the Chapter Report! See you all next year…

In love and Koi, Carolyn

Congratulations to our working crews and volunteers who carried the workload through another successful year. Special thanks to MAKC’s Executive Committee: Joann Mead, Herb Ehrich, Anthony Vitale, Bruce Damme, Herb Ehrich, Bruce Levine, and Alan Mickelson for excellent leadership.

A good Koi friend, Gia Lanigan, has given us some great Water Lily information (and pictures). Peggy Milford has shared her Bekko and Rockefeller Center Annual Christmas Tree in New York City Photo by Cindy Graham

Page 6 Mid-Atlantic Koi

November/December 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: It’s November and to continue from last month’s getting ready for winter question you should have already put away the plants and covered the pond with nets. What else?

Answer: Feed the fish a wheat-germ based food when the water temperature is between 55°F. and 45°F. After that no food till spring and the water is back to 45°F. I clean and shut down the filters usually around Thanksgiving week.

When you do shutdown clean the bottom of the pond of debris and do 30% to 50% water change.

Clean the filter; make it ready for start-up in spring.

If you can cover the pond with hoops and plastic; this keeps leaves out and some heat in. Float an air stone from a water bottle about 10 inches from the surface. This keeps the water from freezing solid and lets in oxygen and lets out bad gases. Depending on the size of your pond maybe use two air stones. (Read September beginners corner).

If you cover the pond with plastic remember to leave a place to look in on your finny friends all winter and see what is going on in the pond.

Remember try to do a 10% water change once a month all winter when you get a nice day or two.

This takes the fish waste out of the pond in winter. Remove the water from the bottom of the November/December 2015

pond. Replace with declor and fresh water. The fish will have less stress in the spring because they are not living in their own waste all winter. ❖

Note: This column offers suggestions only; the ultimate care of your pond and fish is up to you.

Wanted – Your Questions Please email your questions to makcmag@makc.com.

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 7

MAKC

Corporate

Members

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

Page 8 Mid-Atlantic Koi

November/December 2015

MAKC

Corporate

Members

Quality Koi Company Nisei Koi Farm 856-299-7564 info@qualitykoi.com

www.qualitykoi.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

November/December 2015

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 9

Checklist to Prepare Your Pond for Fall

by Peggy Milfeld, California

most folks, that’s something unwanted, although a little bit of algae is actually a good sign for the most part.

Photo by Cindy Graham s summer is now past, we are reminded that we need to understand how to transition our ponds through the seasons, even though here in Southern California we don’t have the radical season changes that Koi keepers in other parts of our country endure.

Here’s a list of suggested guidelines to help.

A

Fall Prep — Clean the Pond As air temperatures begin to drop, so do water temps. During this period, the needs of pond fish are altering as well. To protect the fish from their changing surroundings, including falling debris and decaying leaves, clean out the pond before water temps fall below 50°F; fish will still be active and less likely to sustain injuries during cleaning.

Dead plants pull oxygen from the water as they die off; they are best removed before they decay.

You can trim back some plants like lilies and leave them in the lower parts of deeper ponds over the winter; as long as they don’t freeze up they should be fine.

Organic material building up on the pond bottom should be removed as much as is possible. As this material decays in water, it releases nutrients that feed algae growth. For Page 10 Mid-Atlantic Koi

Net fall leaves from the surface and, if you have plant shelves around the periphery, drain some of the water to expose them for a good cleaning. Using a hose nozzle, blast off accumulated debris and sludge around the shelves and edges, and finish with a net or pond vacuum. When replacing water, remember to add a water conditioner to remove harmful contaminants like chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals.

The process of decomposition uses oxygen and produces small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that can be toxic to fish. While the gases do not normally reach harmful levels, the extra stress of a deep winter, with decreased oxygen due to a frozen (or partly frozen) pond, can tip the balance. Aquatic creatures are especially sensitive to poor water quality in winter (as if freezing temps were not enough!)

Once clean, you might even add a pond net to catch falling debris from nearby trees. Ideally, find netting with a reinforced edge (more durable) that will adequately cover the surface area of the pond. This same netting can be used to help control some avian predators. Suspend it at least 18˝ above the surface and securely fasten it around the edges to prevent leaves from finding their way underneath it. If you have frogs, it’s helpful to leave a small opening or two to provide them access to and from the pond.

November/December 2015

Avoid letting the net sag into the water (prop up the middle, if necessary): it can create a hazard for your fish as leaves will collect in the lowest area and decay.

Fall Feeding – Plan Ahead In most of the states, water temps start to dip in early fall. Make sure you have a thermometer so you can monitor the water temp as the fall weather progresses. Start changing the Koi diet: wheatgerm-based food is ideal to transition fish in (and out) of winter because it is highly digestible at low temps. This is especially important because, in the colder months, fishes’ metabolism and the pond’s ammonia reducing biological activity are greatly diminished, and we recommend stopping feeding after the weaning.

To ensure against spikes in ammonia or nitrites (both toxic to fish and coming from their waste), use an all-season or cold-water blend of beneficial bacteria that will work below 50°F. Most bacteria, and those found in ponds naturally, will really slow down once the water temp drops below 50°, coinciding with the normally greatly reduced feeding habits of Koi in winter.

Don’t Forget the Plants Plant life can also be a source of debris. As marginal and deep-water aquatic plants begin to die back, prune dead stems and leaves to prevent their decay in the water.

In late fall, remove non-hardy aquatic plants like Water Hyacinths or tropical lilies from the water.

Store them in warm, frost-free conditions, like indoors, until next year.

For marginal plants in baskets around the perimeter–particularly where ice may be an issue–move them to deeper water to prevent them from freezing. Hardy water lilies can be left in deep water over the winter. Bog plants can be insulated with straw or a commercial insulating material.

November/December 2015

Winter Prep In our area, no one fully “closes down” a pond for winter; we continue to run pumps and filters.

Further north, where temperatures are more extreme, the pond is shut down for two reasons.

First, the pump will mix colder surface water with the slightly warmer, more stable temperatures in the pond bottom where fish take comfort and hibernate. Second, pond owners risk the chance of diverting water out of the pond and emptying it when the flowing water begins to form ice, especially on features like waterfalls or streams.

Equipment would be stored, safe from the elements, but only after thorough cleaning, inspection, and maintenance. If stored outside or in unheated spaces, no water is left in the unit to freeze and cause the housing to break. If kept inside, it helps to store any submersible pump in a bucket of water to keep the moving parts and seals wet.

Neither do we worry about de-icers or trapped gas. Gases, produced by decomposing organic material, are toxic to fish when trapped beneath ice covering the pond surface. De-icers are designed to keep an area of the pond ice-free during the winter, allowing harmful gases to escape through the opening. In small ponds, a de-icer is especially helpful in preventing ponds from freezing solid. For fish safety, it is extremely important never to break ice on the pond because the shock waves can be detrimental, and sometimes fatal, to fish.

Care and Feeding thru Winter In most parts of the US, it’s best to leave Koi in the pond through winter, providing its depth is adequate (18˝ or deeper) and there is little or no water circulation. Denser, warmer water will sink to the bottom of the pond, where it will be insulated by the cooler surface water (or ice), and fish will gather in this deep, warm area. ❖

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 11

Common Parasites and Recommended Treatments

by Karl Schoeler, Minnesota t best, parasites open the doors for bacterial infection. At worst, they are carriers of it. That is why it is so important to try to identify them and treat for them properly.

A

While treating for parasites is very important, treating the resultant ulcerated area is equally important. Some will say to use hydrogen peroxide, then iodine, then dental adhesive to cover the wound. I have no argument with using all three, if they are available and you’re proficient treating with all of them so the fish is not left on the table too long. Most are not. Iodine is extremely effective. Swab the wound thoroughly making sure to get underneath the skin and/or scaled edges. Remove any loose scales during this treatment as they will fall off anyway. This is generally a one time treatment. Further swabbing if any healing is evident will injure the new tissue which is slowly forming around the wound (pale pink to white in color). Further deterioration of the ulcerated area after a thorough swabbing indicates the need for a more accurate parasite discovery or a more accurate dose of antibiotic or a change in the antibiotic used.

Stocking The Medicine Chest for General Parasite Control Be aware that there are companies and individuals who are marketing remedies which purport immediate healing just by dumping it into the pond. The labels will say it will cure just about anything and smell good doing it. Label claims such as this should make you wary; for good reason. These products generally don’t work. Yet they are packaged and sold in nearly every garden store across this country. Go figure. If you find a product which will do just about everything, don’t count on it.

November/December 2015

KMno4 - Potassium Permanganate Potassium permanganate is capable of doing great things in terms of parasite control, but it is also capable of rapidly killing all your fish if used improperly. This is a poison. The “dip,” which is described further on in the article is very effective and is fairly safe because of its precise nature.

PP, when used in a pond setting is only as good as the person using it. Too strong and the fish will suffer and die. Too weak and the parasites will laugh at it. For it to be effective in a pond the pond itself must be in fairly good shape, clean and free from organics (waste-plant debris etc.).

The pond capacity (gallons) must be known. No guesswork on this.

For microscopic parasites excluding flukes use 2ppm KMNo4(potassium permanganate) in a clean pond. Two consecutive days and do not reverse the chemical. Add aeration. Be prepared to reverse the treatment with dechlorinator.

Before you do this treatment for the first time it would be wise to discuss it on this forum. Start a thread.

The Dip A dip of 8 grams KMN04 per 40 liters of midseventy degree water can be used but for no more than 2.5 minutes. Precise measurement is critical.

Aerate. This dip requires several containers as well as an uncontaminated pond or q-tank to place the treated specimens. Pre-dip and post-dip containers are a must. Make sure they can be covered securely. This is a bit over 200ppm! Dips only work if the container (pond) the treated fish are being returned to is parasite free.

A gram scale is required to measure this chemical. Please calibrate it frequently.

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 13

For 1000 US gallons here is a brief chart: PPM Grams needed: 1.0 3.785 2.0 7.570 3.0 11.355 4.0 15.140 Any dechlorinator or hydrogen peroxide will reverse this chemical. Make sure you have enough to neutralize at least twice the amount used.

ProformC or Formaldehyde and Malachite Green This treatment is safe at temperatures of 55°F to 80°F. FMG is effective on most microscopic parasites except flukes. This is a poison. It is dosed in amounts, which will effectively kill the parasites without killing the host. Overdosing may damage or kill your fish. Formaldehyde is generally available from farm supply stores. It is 37% formaldehyde and 11~12% methanol. Commercial mixes such as ProformC are available from pond and Koi suppliers. While it is a bit weaker it still works well. It also gives the end user a larger margin for error. It is 22% formaldehyde and about 7.5% methanol.

The following treatment is “off label:” Two treatments, day one and day three. No water changes.

Then a third dose combining ProformC and Praziquantel, AFTER a 50% water change.

Another treatment should be considered after seven days AFTER a 50% water change. See the paragraph below for Fluke Specific treatment. A small percentage of salt in the water will not affect the treatment or the fish. This treatment is for all parasites and it is temperature/life cycle dependent. Flukes can take 30 days to eradicate if the water is in the low sixties. This takes several retreatments. Warmer waters reduce the time frame.

Malachite Green Stock Solution 28.4 grams makes one gallon. Thereafter use one drop per gallon.

Page 14 Mid-Atlantic Koi

Praziquantel: Gill and Skin Flukes A trematodicide. Praziquantel induces a rapid contraction of schistosomes (a worm or fluke) by a specific effect on the permeability of the cell membrane. The drug further causes vacuolization (causes more and larger spaces or cavities within each individual cell) and disintegration of the cells as well as the Schistosome tegument (the fluke body covering). Bursting of the cell walls might be a much simpler way of describing it and may be equally correct.

Praziquantel must be ingested by the fluke to work. The dosage is one gram per 100 gallons of water. Currently the directions suggest using level tablespoons to measure the product. That is a mistake. In my experience a level tablespoon may hold anywhere from 2.5 to 4.5 grams of product.

Not only is this wasteful and inaccurate; it is also very expensive. Please use a gram scale. Calibrate it often.

Since it does not mix readily with water a label dosage ProformC may be used, or it can be dosed with the ProformC as part of the treatment described above. Once it is fully dissolved it does not seem to filter out or precipitate. It simply degrades over time. When using Praziquantel, the water temperature should be in the midseventies (US). The first and all succeeding treatments should last seven days each whether treating for gill flukes (Dactylogyrus) or skin flukes (Gyrodactylus). 25% water changes should be made between treatments. Redosing will immediately bring it to the strength needed to kill flukes. I strongly recommend a second if not a third application of this product due to the life cycle of the flukes as well as the thickness of the slime coat on Koi. In colder waters (60*F to 70*F) a third and even a fourth application should be considered when treating for gill flukes. Because of the cost of Praziquantel and the reduced treatment time it is well worth the effort to bring the temperature up to optimum.

November/December 2015

Praziquantel as a Kicker

Chloramine T

At times I’ve had situations where the standard doses and protocol of the ProformC and Praziquantel simply doesn’t seem to work. In those situations I dose with a standard dose on day one. Then I wait 48 hours and redose with another standard treatment and allow that to stand for ten days. At the end of ten days I scrape and scope. If the water temperature is in the mid-seventies the flukes will be gone. Lower temperatures will require a repetition of the treatments after a 50% water change. I have never seen any ill effect whether in soft or hard water with this treatment. Although I am simply using ProformC as a mixing agent I like to see it used at full dosage just in case there are other parasites not found in the scrape and scope procedure.

For bacterial gill disease. Dosing is 5.8 grams per 100 gallons, three to five times consecutively.

This will no doubt kill your filter so either shut it down or bypass it. Do not mix this with any other treatments.

Supaverm Know that this product has been accused of burning fins and suppressing the immune system. This accusation has been substantiated by several members of Koiphen. In the UK, there are more reports surfacing regarding the long range effect on the immune system as they have been using it for several years longer than here in the US. Therefore I would strongly urge that it be avoided. There are several methods for reducing flukes which are much safer. Not recommended here.

Organphosphates-Fluke Tabs Fluke Tabs work well in waters where the Kh is less than 170ppm. Above that the poison is bound by the water and becomes ineffective.

Attempts at double and triple dosing in high Kh waters results in killing the flukes AND the fish.

There are tests taking place currently to verify the accuracy of this information.

Fenbendazole An older type dewormer which seems to work at times, the dosage is 1 gram per 100 gallons. and is used the same way as Praziquantel.

November/December 2015

Dimilin (diflubenzuron 25% wettable powder) Actually this is an insecticide for greenhouse use.

This powder works well in eradicating anchor worm (Lernea) and fish lice (Argulus). One gram will treat 3000 gallons. It is quite forgiving and an overdose usually will not cause irrepairable harm. The parasites should be removed by soaking them in iodine or potassium permanganate paste and pulling them carefully with a tweezers. Sedating the fish will prevent uncontrolled thrashing and further damage to the fish during this process. No ill effect is noted from sedation.

There are liquid forms of Dimilin on the market.

Follow the label directions.

Fungal Infections Sap or Saprolegnia is the main genus of water molds which can bring about significant fungal infections in fish and eggs. It’s safe to say that all ponds have water molds in them. Unless the fish are compromised the slime coat will, in most cases, protect the fish from an invasion. Sap invades epidermal tissues In common with all molds, it does so by secreting digestive enzymes into the surrounding areas. Since enzymes in general break things down it’s easy to understand that this secretion enables the fungi to more easily absorb nutrients from the affected area.

SAP slowly is digesting the fish! At this point it is called saprolegniasis.

SAP can spread over the entire body, but is usually spotted as pale white or grey patches.

Sometimes it will be green if algae has been Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 15

caught in it. It is usually considered to be a secondary infection seen after damage to the fish skin or gills. However it can be primary as it is temperature dependent, occurring in cooler waters as a consequence of immune system shutdown.

SAP Treatment It is generally agreed that Malachite Green is by far the most effective treatment. Be careful with this stuff! Eye and skin protection is required.

A stock solution can be made with it and it is

applied topically to thoroughly and deeply clean the wound. A dental adhesive may be applied afterward if desired.

Stock Solution 28.4 grams makes one gallon. To treat directly use the stock solution straight. For other treatments use one drop per gallon.

Treatment is should be made as soon as possible along with determining the actual cause of the invasion and dealing with that as well.

Columnaris Mouth Fungus; Fin Rot, Cottonmouth Disease: This is not a fungus or a mold. This is a bacterial infection-gram negative. The problem is that it can somewhat resemble SAP. Symptoms include grayish white spot on the head, gills or body sometimes surrounded by a reddish tinge. It can be topically treated with injections. â?–

Page 16 Mid-Atlantic Koi

November/December 2015

Feeding Koi During the Winter Months

by Linda Montgomery, KHA

Photo by Lori Brede

Bubbles from the Bottom Series

Question Hello Linda, Hope all is well with you and your fish. I have a question I'm hoping you can weigh in on, and maybe use as a bubbles question, if you think others would be interested. My question has to do with feeding Koi during the winter months. I know the general answer is you don't feed during winter-period. I never have in the past. But, this year has been an unusually warm winter. My fish have appeared hungry this winter. The water temp is consistently above 45°F, and my fish are eating Hikari Wheat Germ pellets when I throw in once daily. With the exception of just a few weeks this winter when it was quite cold, I have been feeding them once daily. I have also noticed much more fish movement this winter than past winters, which I assume is due also to the warm winter. Is there November/December 2015

any harm to feeding my Koi during a warm winter? They don't seem harmed, but I thought I'd check. Are there exceptions to the “don't feed during winter rule?” Thank you, Sindy

Answer: There are so many misconceptions with feeding fish when the water temperatures drop to 50°F or below. One is that the food will sit in the Koi gut and the Koi will not be able to digest it. It is true that their metabolism is slower and their bodily functions slow down quite a bit, but that does not mean that they can’t digest. They still digest food, but it just occurs at a much slower speed, which means that the food will stay in the intestine longer.

As the temperature lowers, the time it takes for the food to pass through the gut slows Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 17

dramatically down (for example: at 68°F it takes between 4-5 hours for this process). So at 55 50°F this rate can be significantly reduced to as long as 24 hours to process food through the gut.

At very low temperatures the food cannot be digested and could sit in the gut fermenting and producing toxins.

The good news is that Koi at low temperatures will simply not eat any more than their bodies need. This is because their metabolism slows down and so does their intake of food. The danger here is with the potential of a sudden drop in temperature. So when the water temperature gets down below 50°F, it is extremely important to be very careful in feeding your Koi and watch the weather forecast very carefully. If the forecast is for an extreme drop in temperature don’t feed your Koi. This is definitely more of an issue for pond owners with smaller ponds as small and shallower ponds will cool much faster than larger ponds.

Page 18 Mid-Atlantic Koi

Another issue with feeding your Koi at lower temperatures is the issue of water quality. Remember that when feeding your Koi at lower temperatures, you must be careful to not throw in more food than the fish can consume in a couple of minutes as this will dramatically affect your water quality.

Any uneaten food can pollute the pond and overload the filters, which would, in effect, slowly poison your Koi by the deterioration of good water quality.

What you feed and how often you feed your Koi in the cooler water temperatures is also very important. It is a good idea to offer foods which

November/December 2015

are easily and quickly digestible and which contain minimal residue to stall the intestine.

Sindy mentioned feeding her fish Hikari Wheat Germ, which is considered easier to digest in cooler temps. I have been feeding my fish their normal Koi pellets but I have been soaking them in orange or grapefruit juice before feeding. I have also been giving them Cheerios/Honey Nut Cheerios as a treat. They supply good energy with minimal nitrogen to strain your biological filtration and have low residue and low nitrogen…and my fish love them!

I do not feed my fish quite as often as Sindy…I have been feeding my fish approximately twice a week (with the temperature close to 50°F) and much smaller amounts than I feed at warmer temperatures. I also try to feed them when they are the most active usually between 11:00am and 2:00pm. Remember that the fish do not need as much calories at colder temperatures.

November/December 2015

Interesting fact that I found on KoiVet.com: Did you know that for every ten degrees increase in temperature, the metabolism of a cold-blooded organism doubles?

There are some reasons for not feeding Koi or fasting them in the colder water temperatures.

These are a bit controversial but some are: Fasting allows a female to reabsorb eggs Filters are relatively inactive in the colder temps so more of a water quality issue Is easy to overfeed if not careful Fish that have unhealthy fat/overweight need fasting to use up that excess fat (my fish have never had that problem-think this issue is much less an issue in the Northwest) Thanks so much to Sindy for sending in this month’s Bubbles topic. Please let me know if you have any suggestions/questions for future articles. ❖

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 19

Long Term Success

by Ed Keene, DCAS adapted to ponds by Carolyn Weise

he key to long term success in the Koi pond hobby is remembering the fact that you are involved in one of the world's most well known hobbies which has all but endured and survived the moral test of ages, and more importantly it is just that - a hobby! The word hobby is an important word to remember. Unless you are a fish professional and have your own fish store, are in the fish breeding business with your own hatchery, or are strongly contemplating doing either of the aforementioned as a profession, it is just a hobby. All too often we forget the word hobby and the end result in many cases spells doom for our Koi pond interest. Let's step back in time and take a closer look at a very common scenario.

T

Remember when you first started in the hobby and you had your first pond (with or without Koi)? More than likely it was a small preformed one. You purchased several books on the subject, subscribed to a magazine, spoke at great lengths to your local pet store owner, and even met and became great friends with several other people with the same interests. Some of these friends you casually met in the local pet store and others you met after you joined your local Koi club.

You may have gone through a couple of trials and tribulations while getting your first pond through the nitrogen cycle and to the point of operating smoothly and efficiently, however, it has been a piece of cake to maintain ever since.

Sure, you spend an hour a week cleaning any dirt from the bottom, changing the filter, changing the water, and all the other associated maintenance tasks, but what is an hour? After all, in return you and your family have received hours and hours of enjoyment from your pond. But Page 20 Mid-Atlantic Koi

suddenly, you have forgotten the word hobby!

The Koi pond bug has bitten you.

You went out and purchased additional Koi, a few shubunkin, additional books, and have now taken over part more of your backyard for ponds.

You now have a pond for goldfish, one for Koi, and another for aquatic plants. Your maintenance tasks now consume a minimum of 6 to 8 hours every week and you are having trouble keeping up with them. The other members in your family don't have any time to help you and you have found yourself neglecting your ponds for several weeks at a time in order to participate in other personal and/or family activities. It is no longer fun to take care of the fish and ponds, but rather, it has become a major chore and to a degree, a second job! Due to the lack of weekly maintenance, your ponds have taken a turn for the worse as algae has started to take over and dirt has begun to accumulate on the gravel, plants and rocks. You have even lost a couple of fish along the way. My friend, if this is you, I'd like to extend my sympathies. Unfortunately, you have reached the point where you just want to throw in the towel to the fish hobby and have lost interest. The word hobby has been long forgotten. Long term success is the farthest thing from your mind. Why?? How??

This is but one scenario. There are others, all of which lead to the same basic problem - it has become a major undertaking to properly maintain your ponds and in the meantime you spend less and less time with your family and less time participating in other activities you enjoy.

Let's look at some things which you can do to avoid becoming disgruntled with the hobby, and in turn, better enabling your chances of ensuring yourself long term success.

November/December 2015

It is very important that you perform all of the necessary maintenance tasks required for your pond. More importantly, it is essential that you are comfortable in performing these tasks and that they do not interfere with other responsibilities of your life. If additional ponds mean exceeding the point to where maintenance becomes a job, then by all means, do not add any additional ponds. Likewise, if maintenance will interfere with your personal life, forget about any additional ponds. Simply be content with those you already have.

Sometimes people have lost interest in the way their ponds look. They become somewhat bored with them. There are a couple of things you can do to prevent a boring pond. The next time you clean your pond, take all of the rocks, decorations and ornaments out. Clean them and then put them back into the pond in a different arrangement. Now your pond has a new look and this should keep you from being bored with it. Additionally, you might purchase a new plant, a new rock, a new piece of wood, etc. The next time you clean your pond, insert the new decoration you purchased and then use your existing decorations to build up around the rest of the pond. If you start to have too many decorations, leave one of the old decorations out. Again, this will give your pond a new look.

What's that you say? You like all of your decorations? O.K., then change some of the fish. Move some of your fish into another pond, exchange them with one of your club friends or simply sell them back to your local pet store. At any rate, put some new fish into your pond. This should spark interest in the pond again. You might also want to try changing a decoration or two in conjunction with changing some fish. This will give your pond a whole new look and attract more interest.

Are you lacking interest because your fish just swim back and forth day in and day out? Why not read up on breeding fish and try your hand at doing this. Breeding fish can be very rewarding November/December 2015

to observe. This will definitely keep you anything but bored.

Where is your pond located? Is it in an obscure corner of the yard or in an area where it is not readily viewed? If so, contemplate moving it into a place where you spend a great deal of time. You will see it and be able to observe it more. This also will easily generate additional interest.

Do you still purchase a pond or Koi book occasionally? Do you still subscribe to a magazine? If not, browse through a few books the next time you are in your local pet store or online. You may see something about fish or something else which attracts your attention. If you take this idea home with you, your love of the hobby might be renewed. Try subscribing to a magazine again. Every month you will receive reviews on various Koi sales, see new variations of Koi and read about new products available to the market.

What better way to renew your interest!

In Conclusion Long term success depends upon you and only you. You will get out of the hobby what you put into it. Remember, family comes first and then your usual vocation. Then and only then should you get involved in the pond hobby. Make sure you keep it as a hobby. Don't allow yourself to expand your hobby to the point where the ponds become a job and/or interfere with family life.

Pond maintenance is extremely important and essential to long term success. Don't establish more ponds than you can maintain comfortably.

Make sure your pond is someplace where you can relax and observe it routinely without having to go out of your way. On occasion, replace some decorations and/or fish to spice up the whole pond. All of these thoughts and 'rules', if you want to call them that, will provide you with years of enjoyment and all but ensure you of long term success in the Koi hobby! â?–

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 21

Thinking of Retiring, Moving South?

by Carolyn Weise, Florida

he good news is there are Koi in Florida, too. There are LOTS of Koi in Florida and there are lots of ponds, too, and one of the biggest Koi shows on the east coast. There are some BIG differences in the ponds of Florida versus the ponds of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Whereas there are still going to be seasons and winter is going to be COLD, but it doesn’t last long enough to stop the pond cycle where you need to start over again.

T

The only challenge I had was how to “store” my fish while my Florida pond was being built. I thought it would be how to protect them from the many fish predators… but I was already doing that up north! We had Great Blue Herons, Egrets, raccoons, mink, and Osprey (and Page 22 Mid-Atlantic Koi

goodness knows what else) up there. I was better prepared than I realized. And don’t call me OLD. Some of the PLUSES to a Florida pond are: • I can enjoy my Koi all year.

• I can feed them all year.

• The pond water stabilizes–once–and stays that way.

• Shade is more important than decorative plantings.

• Filtration is probably around the (north) side of the house.

• I can enclose the pond in my Pool Cage screen.

• Ponds attract so much wildlife you have never seen before (Sandhill Cranes, Ibis, beautiful Blackbirds, and all types of song November/December 2015

• • • • • •

birds, butterflies, tiny Grass Frogs-- you name it!) and they aren’t all looking to eat my fish.

I can enjoy Tropical Lilies and don’t have to replace them each year!

There are areas still on well water.

Herons and other wading fish-eaters have plenty of natural bodies of water to inhabit—they don’t need your pond.

No winterization, netting, frozen pipes or other mid-winter crises in the pond.

No more spring algae bloom!

And the big plus? You have ME here!

Some of the DRAWBACKS to some Florida ponds could be: • As in Cape Coral, which is reclaimed swampland—high water table—need to dig pond in spring before rainy season starts (and water levels rise) to get deeper pond.

• Extreme sun/heat is not good for shallow ponds (but adding shade cloth or roofing can fix the problem.)

• Outlying areas may be prone to flooding during storm season (June-November) at the shore areas.

• If you leave the screen door open, wildlife might just come on in! I’ve had rare visits from Blackbirds, Mockingbirds, butterflies, November/December 2015

baby birds (fledglings), frogs, small lizards “Anoles” (they don’t hurt anything but eat a lot of insects), neighbor’s dogs, and cats.

• If on well water, during the dry season (winter) the water smells kind of bad at times. We don’t drink it. We use it in the pond, though. It hasn’t hurt the Koi any.

• And the biggest drawback? It’s not easy to find a pond installer down here that knows how to build a “REAL” KOI POND… (Bottom drain, slanted bottom, skimmer, good circulation, etc.)

Okay, with all the experience you have gotten from being into Koi and ponds over the years, having been active in the club and listened to speakers and presentations on “the solution to pollution is dilution” and etcetera, you should be ready to actually downsize your pond with just a few “same sex” favorite fish and grow old in peace…in a warmer climate! Don’t waste all that good knowledge. Paradise is not only in the hereafter… Have your Zanadu (as I have mine) wherever you go. And look me up—we could start a Florida Chapter one day with BBQ’s and pool parties in February! Margaritas, enchiladas, steaks, and oh, my!! ❖ See Picture to Share on page 36.

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 23

Koi Crazy at Koi Crazy (Chapter Report)

by RoseMarie Ehrich, New York

hat a delightful Koi Sunday!

On September 20 the Mid Hudson Valley Koi Chapter led

by Vice President, Herb Ehrich (formerly the Saugerties Chapter) traveled to Koi Crazy in Campbell Hall, NY. Upon arrival, they were warmly greeted by owners Matt and Seth who showed everyone around the Koi house where the Koi appeared to be healthy and happy.

W

MAKC President Jo Mead led the brief meeting by welcoming all especially the new members. It was good to see Tim Mead who on his day off from work came to share the day with us. Sarah, our web designer drove from New Jersey to join us and experience the joys of Koi. During the four plus hours at Koi Crazy, Matt and Seth answered all our questions. We discussed Koi identification and health. Matt showed us scaleless Koi and “falling leaves” cooper color Koi. He told us about small Koi called toasi and explained the consistent method of breeding used by Shintaro in Japan. Matt and Seth visit the breeder once each year to select Koi Page 24 Mid-Atlantic Koi

to bring back to New York.

Anyone interested in joining Matt and Seth next year on a buying trip to Japan, just contact either one at Koi Crazy. Learning about Koi first hand during one of these trips is priceless, just ask Herb.

The highlight of the day for me was the raffle.

Matt and Seth donated a Showa valued at $200 to be raffled and all proceeds to benefit MAKC. Raffle tickets were sold and $135 was raised and a check mailed to MAKC treasurer.

The Showa was won by yours truly who only bought one ticket, proving the old adage, “it only takes one to win!”

Needless to say, when the field trip concluded we saw a very happy Vice Prez, Herb.

The next meeting was held on Sunday, October 18 at the home and pond of Herb and RoseMarie Ehrich. We are excited to finally be able to show off the fruits of hard labor and the living jewels of our pond! ❖ November/December 2015

By the Lily Pond

by Gia Lanigan Photos by Gia Lanigan

Photo by Carolyn Weise

it helps. Did I do it? Hmm….

Nope. Not until yesterday (9/15) did I think of it. I noticed Joey Tomocik finally putting out a large bloom; I hadn't seen any since spring. Then I remembered that a few days earlier, one of my changeables had a bloom up, but since it was tucked under some lifted lily pads, I didn't get to see it very well and the next day it was down.

his was a great, hot summer. Some people don't care for that weather.

The water lilies in my garden could not have been much happier… well, most of them, that is. There are a few, just like people, that would have preferred to not roast on a regular basis care of mother nature with the thermometer hovering around the 100 degree mark at my house on a seemingly regular basis. But all in all, they bore thru it well and now that the weather has cooled, the shy ones are blooming again.

T

It helps to take notes about which ones bloomed in the hot weather and which ones waited… Yep, November/December 2015

Thinking back over the past few months, if memory serves correctly, during the high heat of summer I had blooms from Wanvisa (red striated with cream), Mayla (hot pink), Hollandia (white with pink blush) and from an unknown lighter yellow lily. I don't know the name of that water lily. It was the first one I ever bought, before I became snooty and wanted them to have names. The four small and dwarf lilies I have in resin half barrels on my deck have been doing great all summer too.

Now, with the cooler weather coming in, Wanvisa has a bud up, but that may be a remnant of the warmth a week ago. Mayla put out one bloom, but I think it's the same circumstance. The unknown yellow is still going but Hollandia has stopped. On the other hand, lilies I missed all summer long are popping up; the changeable I mentioned above which might be Colorado, Georgia Peach or Peachglow, and Joey Tomocik with that big, bright yellow bloom. Laura Strawn (white) made an appearance as well. So I guess Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 25

I can start categorizing which of my big lilies like heat and which don't.

Thanks to the prior flood and the Koi that were temporarily housed in my lily pond a few years back, the tags are missing from quite a few pots, thus I cannot identify some plants until they bloom. Until about 4 years ago, all the lilies were in the 'big' pond and the small and dwarf lilies did not do well in there. I would get just a few leaves that let me know they were alive and that's all, no blooms. There is one dwarf that I've been waiting about 7 years to see bloom so I can identify it and I'm still waiting. Guess it's not going to be this year. There are 2 other small lilies that put out lovely 2˝-2.5˝ red blooms, but I'm having difficulty with their identities, trying to figure them out based on leaf pad size and color along with bloom color. I have a list of what I bought in the past, but they're just not fitting into one niche. Helvola (dwarf yellow) was an easy one to put a name to and along with the two unknown reds (possibly Indiana), I have been privy to a marvelous show of little blooms for months, just outside my front door.

Delightfully satisfying. I’m getting the newsletter ready to send and Helvola is still blooming (9/24).

perform. I have noticed one precocious plant, Clyde Ikins, that despite being a recent arrival, has a bud up. I'm watching to see if it still likes this cooler weather or if it was just spurred on to put out that bloom when it was still hot. If the bloom dies without opening, I'll have my answer.

(9/24 & two Clyde I’s have buds) Speaking of blooms dying off, I'll touch on what you should look for when your water lilies are closing down in preparation for winter. You'll first notice that new leaf pads tend to be smaller than those put out in summer.

Also, a lot of older leaf pads begin dying off in quick succession. Pinching those off at the base of the leaf stem (if you can reach it down by the roots) is good. Only do it when they're yellowed.

The plant needs to store energy for its winter survival and removing leaves prematurely deprives the plant from the benefits that leaf can provide. The leaf pads will be fewer rather quickly and then there will be only yellowed ones.

Since July, when I started a water lily business, I've acquired quite a few more plants that I've not had in my own pond therefore I have not had the pleasure of seeing their blooms in person and cannot speak to how they Page 26 Mid-Atlantic Koi

November/December 2015

Left, is a lily I pulled out to show what's going on at the bottom of the pond, what the plant looks like when it goes dormant. The pot in this picture is about 8˝ across. Notice that there are 4 skinny reddish stems with little bronze leaf pads at the ends. Two of the pads are resting on the edge of the pot, one at about 10 o’clock and the other at about 2, and two on longer stems are in the grass. The longer two would be floating on the water’s surface, about 18˝ deep. This lily isn’t quite done for the season, hence why two pads are full length and two are still growing (shorter lengths). You will notice too, that there are several other leaves on very short stems and that those leaves don't look like the regular leaf pads at all. They're not the thick round pads you always see at the surface. There are a few of those leaves at the main growth tip of this lily (6 - 8 o’clock)) and a few others further back along the rhizome (about 12 o’clock), a new growing point for next year. Those leaves are what I refer to as 'tester' leaves. I don't know if there's an actual name for them, but that's what I call them. They are put out by the plant when the weather is chilling off and the plant is checking if it's still ok to grow. This plant is still willing to grow because it has the newer regular pads growing out.

In this picture is a brother plant of the one on the prior page. This plant has no regular leaf pads. There is one bit of skinny red stem in the lower right corner, but that pad was yellow and I pinched it off. The three plainly visible tester leaves are all there is to this plant right now. They will remain submerged, close to the soil all winter waiting for the days to warm up at which time they signal the plant to start putting out the regular leaf pads.

in texture and will never reach the water surface.

In the top photo, you can partly see through the tester leaf hanging over the pot edge at 8 o’clock.

If you check your lilies and don't see any tester leaves and all the regular leaves have died back, it's possible your lily is no longer of this world.

Your lily may be no more. It is an ex-lily.…

Worry not, good people. I have plenty to go around. ❖ Gia Lanigan, www.Waterlilies2U.com, Castle Rock, WA, Sunset Zone 6/USDA Zone 8

Not all tester leaves are oddly shaped. Some are still round like regular leaf pads, but they are thin November/December 2015

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 27

On the Road to a Koi Event November 14, 2015 Quality Koi Company 2015 Nisai Tategoi Appreciation Day! Carneys Point, NJ Quality Koi Co's breeder, Mat McCann, will discuss the qualities of their two year Koi that were harvested this fall from the mud ponds.

Please visit their website: http://qualitykoi.com/ RSVP to sale@quality.koi.com if you are planning to attend

January 30–31, 2016 50th AJNPA Combined Show

Treasurer’s Report Submitted by Anthony Vitale, New York Beginning Balance January 1, 2015 $18,467.39 Income Advertising $4,331.71 Memberships/Sponsors 3,246.95 Host Fee Refund 46.82 Merchandise Sales/ Raffles 513.50 Paypal Cash Back Bonus 14.29 Total Income $8,153.27 $26,620.66

Ryutsu Center, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Japan

March 5-6, 2016 29th Annual Koi Club of San Diego Koi Show Del Mar Fairgrounds www.koiclubofsandiego.org

March 11-13, 2016 Central Florida Koi Show Held in Orlando at the International Palms Resort www.centralfloridakoishow.org and www.orlandokoishow.org

March 18-20, 2016 42nd ZNA SoCal Koi Show

Expenses Printing/Publications $7,200.00 Supplies 2,504.38 Website 726.07 Postage 313.16 Office 107.77 Awards 606.10 Paypal Fees 407.58 Membership Fees 430.00 Member Reimbursements 1,691.86 Total Expenses $13,986.92 Ending Balance Sept. 30, 2015

$12,633.74

Gardena Civic Center Memorial, Gardena, CA. Have an upcoming Koi event, please send the information to makcmag@makc.com.

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. ❖ Page 28 Mid-Atlantic Koi

Saving Beginning Balance Savings O/S Deposits Saving Ending Balance

Club Total Balance As of September 30, 2015 (Reconciled)

$6,328.46 135.00 352.84 $6,816.30

$19,450.04 ❖

November/December 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 Meeting

Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter Meetings

Watch for upcoming events.

(New name was the Saugerties Chapter)

Bruce Damme, Vice President Central Chapter 302-598-8431 !

Sunday, November 15 3:00 PM Host TBD

Long Island Chapter Meeting

All members and those interested in becoming a member of MAKC are welcome to attend.

December Holiday Party Contact Bruce Levine for full details 516-477-1823 or kuba1953@aol.com !

Holiday Dinner Sunday, December 13 3:00 PM Hosted by Bernie and Kathy Carroll Contact Herb Ehrich for further information about upcoming meetings - email Herb at koiking15@yahoo.com â?–

MAKC Health Hotline Volunteers

South Chapter Meeting

Tom Burton

732-671-7045

Watch for upcoming events.

Jan & Bill Fogle Wayne, PA

610-687-3105

Terri Janas

Ashburn, VA

703-729-2988

Contact Alan if you have questions or can host a meeting at - alanmickelson@msn.com !

Jeff Nicholson

Odenton, MD

301-912-1928

Middletown, NJ

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.

November/December 2015

Send your meeting and event information to Carolyn Weise makcmag@makc.com Deadline December 3rd for the January/February 2016 issue.

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 29

Double Tail Dorsal-Less Fish Bubble Eye

•

The bubble eye has a slim body, which gives the fish a streamlined appearance. Long bodied bubble eyes were common in the seventies and eighties, but have been replaced in the last twenty years with a stouter-bodied fish.

•

When judging fish, look for a slightly rounded back profile, with the back free from dorsal appendages or protuberances. The fins should be long and flowing, and all fins should be double. The fluid filled sacks should be the same size, and not too large.

•

Bubble eyes come in all three scale types: metallic, nacreous and matte, although the metallic scalation is most

Page 30 Mid-Atlantic Koi

frequently seen. These fish are also available in all colors common to goldfish, although once again, orange to orange-red is most

Calico Bubble Eye Goldfish November/December 2015

common. Calico varieties of these fish are rare, and when seen, are striking. •

Since these fish have unique eyes and lack of a dorsal fin, swimming can be problematic.

Improper swimming motion caused by the

November/December 2015

bubbles is considered to be a conformation problem. •

The bubbles should be symmetrical and of the same size. Lack of symmetry or differences in the size or position of the bubbles Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 31

will cause the fish to be placed lower in overall standing, or could result, in extreme cases (for instance, a punctured bubble), in the fish being disqualified.

American Goldfish Association 2014 Goldfish Standards Variety Name: Bubble Eye Dorsal Fin: Y/N, N Tail Type: Double Special Characteristic: Symmetrical Bubbles by Eyes

Description

Points

Body Style

20

Coloration

20

Deportment and Condition

20

Finnage

20

Special Characteristics – bubbles(extra points)

20

Total

100

Bubble Eye Goldfish, photo courtesy of Tun Tun Win

!

Image courtesy of Digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Page 32 Mid-Atlantic Koi

November/December 2015

The Bekko - It’s All About the Sumi

by Peggy Milford, California

he Bekko is a non-metallic two colored Koi. It will have a solid base color of white (shiro), red/orange (aka), or yellow (ki). The second color is black: it will have sumi (black) markings on the body. Bekko is a simple appearing Koi, one of the oldest varieties; they had fallen out of favor, but are steadily making a comeback. Many Koi collectors search for a good example of every variety to have in their Koi collections.

T

Along with having a great shape and bright, blemish-free skin, the Bekko should have a pleasing pattern of dark, distinctive, sparsely distributed sumi markings on its body. The dense black markings should make a simple pattern.

They need not be symmetrical, but should be balanced from front to back. Bold, solid spots of sumi are preferred over tiny dots that look like paint splatters or freckles. Just like Sanke, a large patch of sumi on the shoulder region is a desired feature. Additionally, the sumi should appear only on the Koi’s back above the lateral line, and preferably ending well before the tail joint. Too much sumi on the caudal pe-duncle will make the Koi appear very off balance.

The head should be the same color as the body and free of sumi. Ideally, a Bekko should have a clean head with no imperfection or smudging of black. Many times the Bekko will have blue eyes which give them a whimsical and friendly appearance.

The white pectoral fins of Aka and Ki Bekko can occasionally carry sumi stripes, but the Shiro Bekko should have no sumi on its pectoral fins. ❖ November/December 2015

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 33

F..A..S..T.. Ads – November 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 34 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. !

November/December 2015

Mid-Atlantic Koi Ad Index

Looking for a hike in your area?

Here is a link to several nationwide vwww.localhikes.com Sent in by Noel Shaw a member of the Phoenix Koi Club.

ABC Pond Book . . . . . . . . . .16

Nisei Koi Farm . . . . . . . . . 9, 18

Hikari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3, 8

Pentair Aquatic

Kodama Koi Farm . . . . . . 8, 19

Eco-Systems, Inc. . . . . . 9, 12

Koi Crazy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Quality Koi Company . . . 9, 18

Koi Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Rainbow Koi . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Mazuri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Total Koi Food . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Microbe-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Waterlilies2U . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

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 Joann Mead at

Join or Renew Your Membership

845-389-5712 (leave message) or e-mail: jo_mead@earthlink.net

Do it today, it only takes a couple of minutes.

to request information on our advertiser packages and/or a copy of our ad rate sheet. *With an annual 10 issue contract.

November/December 2015

Mid-Atlantic Koi Page 35

Pictures to Share –

Is year round Koi keeping for you? See the article on page 22 - Thinking of Retiring, Moving South?

Do you have a picture to share? Please send them to the Editor, Carolyn Weise. makcmag@makc.com !

Page 36 Mid-Atlantic Koi

November/December 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 November/December 2015

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