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Mid Atlantic Pond Life

Issue No. 3, June 2016

MID ATLANTIC POND LIFE The MAKC Newsletter Published by The Hudson Valley Koi and Water Garden Club

Watch Those Pond Supplies A Message from MAKC President Jo Mead

The pond season has begun and with that is the annual stocking up on pond supplies for the season. When purchasing items be sure that they are made for the pond.

I recently received an email from Don Harrawood (Koi Health Advisor for the Southwest Koi and Pond Association) that a person built a makeshift filtering system for their pond. That person went to a big box store and bought some green air conditioner pads and used them to filter the water. The next morning all the fish were dead. Apparently these pads are treated with something that can be deadly to fish. This is a warning that nothing of this sort should be placed in a pond system unless it is specifically approved for fish.

In This Issue

Jo Mead reviews options for when fish outlive their owners Randy fish find new homes quickly to avert potential disaster.

Central chapter prepares for big day at Quality Koi on June 11. Everyone’s invited to attend!

Hot News from the Election Center MAKC holds its Annual Meeting to vote for the Board of Directors for the 2016/2017 year on Sunday, June 26. The meeting is at Bernie Szer's home in Lynbrook, NY. Those not attending the meeting in person are invited to vote via email or snail mail, using the ballot attached at the end of this issue.

All current MAKC board members are running for re-election uncontested, except for Central Chapter VP, where Leonard Kuker is challenging incumbent Bruce Damme. No one has stepped up to fill the vacant position of Board Secretary. Email ballots, which enable write-in candidates, must be received by Monday, June 20.

Standing Committee openings for 2016/17: Membership Committee: Tracks member standings, distributes new member packets, contributes to annual member roster Directory Editor: publishes & distributes updated annual member directory

Mid Atlantic Pond Life

Issue No. 3, June 2016

Hudson Valley Members Want Transparency, not Trailer

by Ken Dreyfack

The future of the MAKC trailer and its contents were among the top orders of business as 15 members of the Hudson Valley chapter met on May 22 for their regular monthly meeting. The results of a member survey showed broad consensus that the trailer and its contents should be sold. It was suggested that before any items could actually be disposed of, MAKC members at other chapters should be consulted because the trailer and its contents belong to the entire organization, not just the Hudson Valley chapter.

pipes and tanks – the inventory also turned up Herb Ehrich’s lost wedding ring!

Lack of Transparency

Band of Gold

The meeting also saw a lively discussion of the way MAKC conducts its business. Specifically, Hudson Valley members expressed great dissatisfaction with what they perceive as a lack of transparency that affects financial and organizational issues. The members voted to establish a new committee, made up of representatives from each MAKC chapter, to review and possibly change the MAKC bylaws to enhance transparency and input from the various chapters.

The discussion on the fate of the trailer, a recurring issue at Hudson Valley meetings, was preceded by a report from those who inventoried the trailer’s contents a few weeks earlier.

MAKC President Jo Mead was to submit a detailed inventory list. In addition to the expected contents – pumps, hoses, connections,

In response to this article, Jo issued the following statement: the Hudson Valley Koi and Water Garden Chapter (HVKWGC) has raised some very good questions regarding the direction of MAKC. I hope the article will spark a conversation within the MAKC community. If you have any questions or concerns you would like to be addressed please contact me at jomead@makc.com

Central Chapter October Meeting Brian Hein and his wife hosted a Central Chapter Meeting at his home in Allentown, Pennsylvania last October 4. In addition to enjoying his beautiful property, pond and fish, we also enjoyed his antique car collection and 50’s style diner in his basement including Pin Ball Game room.

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Mid Atlantic Pond Life

Issue No. 3, June 2016

When Your Fish Outlive You

by Jo Mead

Upcoming Events

Several times a year I receive calls regarding a family member with a pond passing away and relatives do not know what to do with the fish. Relatives often report that the deceased person had the fish for over 20 years. Most of the time, the very sad outcome is that the fish are either euthanized or given away on Craigslist.

The trust requires the caregiver to use the funds to take care of the pet. If the money is used for something else, a judge can order the caregiver to return the money. The judge can also remove the caregiver and appoint your second choice as new caregiver.

A famous scarlet koi named Hanako reportedly lived to be 225 years old, with many owners over the years. We can only hope that our finned friends live that long; the average is 50 years. But because koi can live so long, fish owners should be prepared for the possibility that their pet fish could outlive them. That’s why you should take steps to ensure care of your fish if something happens to you.

Whether or not you have relatives, leave your finned friends to someone in your will, living trust or pet trust. The most important thing is to identify someone who will take good care of them. First, be sure the person wants to take on the job. Then, specify in your will/trust that you wish to leave your companions to that person. It would also be a nice gesture, although not legally required, to leave the caretaker funds in your Long Island will to compensate him/her for the task.

Create a trust

Legally, your koi are considered property; when you pass, they will need a new owner. Make your decision legally binding by including it in your will. Be sure that the gift of your koi is not a surprise. Talk to the people you want to take your fish and make sure they are really willing and able. While they may adore the fish, they may not be in the position to accommodate them.They may also need to learn how to care and handle them and keep them healthy.

You can’t leave money directly to the fish but you can create a “pet trust” to: • Provide funds for the pet’s care, if the owner is disabled or dies • Name a trustee to manage the funds and oversee the caregiver • Name a caregiver for the pet, and an alternate • Designate a rescue group or organization to care for the animal, if an individual is not available • Mandate particulars, such as the pet’s primary vet or brand of food • Provide a detailed description of your pet, so the trustee can identify your pet. This helps prevent fraud.

• Designate who or what organizations should receive leftover funds after the pet dies.

• Instruct how to handle your pet’s remains.

Find the right person

The executor of your estate (the person you name in the will to carry out your wishes) has the responsibility to enforce these conditions as long as the estate is still before the probate court. In most states, it takes about six months to a year to get probate wrapped up and all the property distributed. Don’t rely on legal niceties to protect your herd. Arrange for them to be taken care of by people who know that the koi are more than another piece of property.

Editor’s note: Jo reports that MAKC cannot serve as trustee and that there is no koi rescue organization on the east coast.

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Mid Atlantic Pond Life

Issue No. 3, June 2016

Nocturnal Aquatic Orgy Stuns Saugerties What started as a routine g ood-will mission nearly turned catastrophic. Only expert, rapid intervention by four MAKC members saved the fish from their animal desires.

by Paul Tomasko Recently I got a call from koi keepers who had fish for over 20 years, but needed to find them a new home because they were in the process of moving.

Four club members: Herb, Skeeter, John and I arrived on the morning of the move and were educated on operating the bubble filter backwash that John was purchasing from the owners Mario and Melanie. As we did this, we we were dumping water from the pond and getting ready to sock net the fish. We worked as a team. Herb was in the pond and once he netted one he passed it to Mario and me to carry to the waiting tanks in the truck and Skeeter’s hands. We found that placing a hand under the body supporting the fish calmed them immediately and made the transfer easier for all.

Once back at my house we transferred them to a prepared holding tank with two filters and lots of aeration.

The plan was to raise the temperature to check for any problems and then move them to members’ ponds.

Morning After The next morning all that changed. The fish had spawned and the water was murky with lots of bubbles and scum

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on top. When I tested for ammonia, it was off the charts. I did three major 75% water changes and lowered it a little, but the fish were stressed and could not safely stay long in that environment.

The fish had been healthy before they left their home so we decided to not keep them in quarantine and in a situation that put them at risk. So the fish were loaded back to the transfer tanks in the truck. Herb and I had first pick since we have the largest ponds and some of these were over two feet long. The group I chose were driven across my back yard to the pond. Herb loaded his new family into the tank and Skeeter and he transported them to

Mid Atlantic Pond Life

Issue No. 3, June 2016

Nocturnal Orgy (cont. from p. 4) Herb’s 12,000 gallon pond. The plan continued when they returned and all the rest were loaded and delivered two by two to five other members’ ponds, who chose from those left in the tank.

Not Dead Yet One koi had been hit hard by the ammonia and we put him with lots of aeration in a smaller tank in my yard. The plan was to move him in a day or two with a companion fish to another member’s pond. He was lying on his side, but any time you tried to net or touch him he would right himself as if to say ”I’m not dead

yet”. We decided to transfer him to my pond to allow him the time to heal in the company of his school mates. Koi are very social and need companionship to stay healthy and to recover. That’s why it is always good to have a buddy with any fish you have in quarantine.

The jury is still out, but he is spending more time swimming upright. If he survives, I decided to keep him and name him Lazarus, because at the same time I had a relapse on a recent knee operation and had been on my back in the hospital recovering from a second surgery. I got home today after a week, to find him up swimming and eating with the rest. I think we may have a lot in common.

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Mid Atlantic Pond Life

Issue No. 3, June 2016

Foamy Water & Stinky Pond

By Don Harrawood, Koi Health Advisor, Southwest Koi and Pond Association In the spring, pond owners may find that their pond water is all of a sudden very foamy, the water is discolored, and the pond stinks to high heaven. Most will find that their ammonia level went off the chart. The reason: their fish could have been spawning. Koi generally spawn in early spring, during the months of March through June; however, they may spawn anytime during the year. Events such as a water change, backwashing a pressure filter, or a spring rain may initiate a spawn. Almost any small change in the pond during this period could spark the spawn.

Chasing the Female Prior to the spawning one may notice several koi chasing another koi through the pond. The one being chased is a female that is ready to lay her eggs. The chasers are males; occasionally a female will join in the chase. The males will sometimes bump the female and force her against the wall of the pond or against a hard surface to induce her to lay her eggs. The spawning process often gets very violent.

The spawning female will generally find a plant or some other protective area in which to deposit her eggs. When the eggs are deposited, the male koi will spray them with milt, which fertilizes the eggs.

These deposits of eggs and milt causes foam on the water surface, a discoloration of the water, and a very strong fishy odor.

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Events such as a water change, back-washing a pressure filter, or a spring rain may initiate a spawn.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------This process also greatly increases the ammonia level in the pond water. Water changes may be called for if the biological filtration is not adequate to dispose of the added ammonia. An immediate testing for ammonia is recommended, since a high concentration may result in high stress or death of koi.

Eggs to Enjoy Immediately after the spawn, the other koi will start devouring all the eggs that they can find. These eggs are food for them to enjoy. The eggs are covered with a sticky substance and will attach to any solid surface they touch. Eggs that are attached inside plant growth and hidden out of sight of the other koi have a reasonable chance to hatch.

Hatch time is determined by water temperature, and generally is about 5 days. After hatching, there is still danger the hatched fry will be eaten by the adult koi. Koi will eat their young until they get a certain size. It is thought that when the fry start getting some color on their bodies, the other koi will no longer bother them. This requires several weeks of survival.

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Mid Atlantic Pond Life

Issue No. 3, June 2016

Upcoming Events Hudson Valley Chapter June 11: New membership event, Peggy & Frank Almquist home July 17: Chapter meeting

South Chapter June 18, 12-to-2:00: South Chapter meeting at home of Ginny Mulberger

Long Island Chapter June 26, 1:00 pm: Long Island Chapter Meeting and MAKC Election at Berine Szer's home

Central Chapter June 11: Quality Koi, Carney’s Point, New Jersey 10 am-noon: visit with the koi and catch up with members Noon: Lunch 12:30 pm: Talk by Mat McCann of Quality Koi (subject to be announced) RSVP for lunch count to Bruce Damme (drbdamme@windcrestanimal.com) or (302) 598-8431 July 10: Summer BBQ in Newark, Delaware August 21: Meeting in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Bruce is still looking for meeting hosts for pond meetings in September and October

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Mid Atlantic Pond Life

Issue No. 3, June 2016

MAKC to Host Major 2017 Meeting and Wet Lab

Treasury Report Statement date: March 31, 2016

Jo Mead reports that the Club will host the Associated Koi Clubs of America (AKCA) 2017 Business Meeting, Banquet and Koi Health Advisor (KHA) Wet Lab at Quality Koi in Carneys Point, NJ in June 2017. “I have attended the AKCA’s Wet Lab in the past and it was outstanding,” she said.

The wet lab will be taught by aquatic vet Dr Nicholas SaintErne. Dr. Saint-Erne is the author of Advanced Koi Care for Veterinarians and Professional Koi Keepers. “It is an excellent book and I highly recommend it for your fish health reference library. We are in the early stages of planning the event and once things have been firmed up I will send out the information regarding the meeting and wet lab,“ she said.

Previous balance: $ 18,457.52 Deposits: $60.00 Withdrawals: $ (16.05) New balance: $ 18,501.47

Current MAKC Officers (as of June 1) President: Joann Mead

Vice-President: Herb Ehrich

Secretary: open

Treasurer: Anthony Vitale

Long Island Chapter VP: Bruce Levine

Hudson Valley Chapter VP: Herb Ehrich

South Chapter VP: Alan Mickelson

Central Chapter VP: Bruce Damme

Tell Us What You Think Classified KOI. Foster Home. Large natural pond. Happy to accept your overgrown or unwanted “children.” Call Rich Menashe in Metuchen, NJ, 732-767-0720

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This is YOUR newsletter. One key goal is to provide a forum for everyone in the MAKC community to express themselves. Let us know what you think about our articles or any issue concerning MAKC. We want to publish your comments, letters or suggestions. Send them to Ken Dreyfack or Paul Tomasko at pondlifenewsletter@gmail.com.

Mid Atlantic Pond Life

Issue No. 3, June 2016

BALLOT 2016-2017 MAKC OFFICERS RETURN BY MONDAY JUNE 20, 2016 For each Office, vote for the nominated candidate by placing a check in the box or by writing in your vote in the space provided PRESIDENT Joann Mead (Incumbent) ___________________________ (Write-In) VICE PRESIDENT Herb Ehrich (Incumbent) ___________________________ (Write-In) SECRETARY ___________________________ (Write-In) TREASURER Anthony Vitale (Incumbent) ___________________________ (Write-In) CENTRAL CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT Bruce Damme (Current VP) Leonard Kuker LONG ISLAND VICE PRESIDENT Bruce Levine (Current VP) ___________________________ (Write-In) HUDSON VALLEY CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT Herb Ehrich (Current VP) ___________________________ (Write-In) SOUTH CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT Alan Mickelson (Current VP) ___________________________ (Write-In) Signature: _______________________________ Date: ____________________ Only one vote per MAKC membership: email: kgwgclub@earthlink.net Or snail mail: MAKC PO Box 91 Ulster Park, NY 12487

RETURN BY Wednesday June 15, 2016

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