What do you feed your koi and how often?

What you eat is what you are. If their diet is not proper, it is hard to maintain good health just like humans. A poor diet will not kill a Koi right away, but it will affect the Koi’s health overtime. The malnutrition or lack of a proper diet can be the cause of the...

What kind of filter do you use?

If your filter is not appropriate for your pond, it will not build a good nitrogen cycle. Without the established cycle, water quality will become poor so your Koi will get sick or die. Improving the filter system could minimize the problem in the future. Read more in...

Do you have a separate aeration pump?

There is always a possibility the Koi dies due to lack of oxygen. Some customers believe a waterfall is enough for oxygen. In my opinion, it is not.  The more aeration the better for your Koi especially during summer time. Your entire population might die overnight...

How big is your pond? How many gallons? Are they shaded?

Understanding the pond environment may give us a clue of what might have happened.  Knowing the total gallons of water is also critical information when deciding what dose medication is needed.  If you do not know your total gallons of water, I strongly recommend...

When was the last time you changed your water?

We recommend at least changing 10%-20% of your water every week during the season. Some customers hardly change water, which affects water quality and causes health issues.  Even if water parameters look OK, regular change of water is very important. Read more in our...

Does your koi still have an appetite?

If the Koi still eats, that is a good sign. It still has the energy to eat.  It is also great information because in this case, feeding medicated food will become an option. Read more in our medicated koi food guide.

When did you notice the signs of sickness?

Did the problem just start or has it been going for quite a while?  If it just started, you may only have to treat that one Koi in a quarantine tank. If you have been dealing with the problem for a while, you may have to treat the whole pond. Read more in our koi...

Do you see external ulcers?

Does your koi have any external injury markings? It can be scratches, open wounds or you may not even see any external issues there.  If you see open wounds, it is definitely a bacterial issue. You need an anti-bacterial treatment. This can also be a secondary...

How is the Koi swimming?

Is the Koi flashing (scratching itself against the pond walls or rocks) or sitting at the bottom? Is it floating with its tail up? Is it floating, gasping for air by the waterfall? Is it only one Koi or a group of Koi? If the Koi were dead already, how was it...