May 2003 21 Years of Koi Keeping Selected Articles

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Map to Next Meeting

From the President to the N. F.K C. Members: 

Don’t forget your chairs and a food item to participate in the dinner after the meeting. Till we meet again, Tim Gasson

 Secretary's   Report By Jan:

Dave Brown then gave a presentation on the basics of Water Quality. He went into the reasons why ponds get in trouble and what to test for.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SHADE AND LIGHT FOR A KOI

How does a koi measure shade (He doesn’t measure shade, he measures light)?

~He measures the light by averaging the amount of light from above and the amount reflected from the bottom and uses this information to calibrate the degree of camouflage needed for safety.

~He measures the directional wavelengths or light source to orient himself in the world of water.

What problem or damage does excessive light cause for a koi?

~Stress from being too conspicuous in the environment creates a neuronal change since certain types of fish have inherited levels in camouflage safety both from a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. If these levels are above the safety level the GAS (General Adaptation Syndrome) is is activated which usually results in disease development and growth retardation.

~ The skin pigments in the wild fish must change to compensate for excess radiation and this change creates a stress induced weakness in the integument. This is commonly called sunburn or a sun tan and can result in scar tissue being formed.

~The growth hormone is partially controlled by the type and amount of light and sunlight

~Excessive or deficient light will decrease the amount of growth hormones available to the koi for which results in limited growth patterns for the koi.

~Growth hormone is partially controlled by the type and amount of light that is registered primarily by the Koi’s eyes. Sunlight especially affects the levels of available growth hormone and an excessive or deficient amount of light will reduce the amount of growth hormone available. This deficiency of growth hormone will be expressed in body confirmation and shapes.

What light sources are used by the Koi?

~ One problem is the color spectrum shifts that occurs throughout the day since the constituent light wavelengths (color) change from night to early morning to mid day to afternoon and finally to night. Our eyes and brain correct for this shift automatically, and this normally does not create a problem unless you’re a photographer and forget to change filter, type of film or use an artificial light source. The camera only registers the wavelength, but our eye registers the wavelength and modifies it in the brain so that red is the red we know it should be and not the wave length color. If we give the wrong kind of light and at the wrong time the koi does not develop as well or utilize its environment correctly since it is utilizing the wrong information. This applies to numerous husbandry animals such as milk production, egg laying etc. So if at all possible we should maintain the circadian rhythm in all wavelength. A point to remember is that light has three major components that are as follows 1) infrared (60% ) 2) visible light (37%) and 3)ultraviolet (3%)

The ultraviolet component is broken down into three additional categories as follows 1) UVA, 2) UVB and 3) UVC. The UVC is the most damaging and carcinogenic but luckily the ozone layer almost completely absorbs this wavelength. Even the small amount that does penetrate our atmosphere will damage a fish if there is a sudden change in exposure such as removal of shade cloth, being taken to a show without a shade, sudden clearing of the water, etc. This extra sensitivity is partially caused by koi being a bottom fish and the dangerous wavelength are normally filtered by the water and do not reach the koi in the wild.. UVB irradiance is greatest between 10:00 and 2:00 p.m. UVA intensity continues throughout the day and can exceed UVB by up to 1000-fold depending on the prior mentioned variables. In the northern hemisphere, UVB has the highest level during the summer months. Circannual variation in UVA is less seasonal.

What are the destructive changes from UVA?

~The destructive changes have long been known but only recently have the more potentially harmful effects of UVA been substantiated. UVA is a major rish factor for potentially serious damage to the epidermis and dermis. The longer UVA wavelengths penetrate deeply into the dermis, whereas UVB is absorbed primarily in the epidermis.

~There is still considerable controversy concerning the quantitative and qualitative nature of the toxic action of individual UVA wavelengths and how this can best be prevented and or treated. After being radiated the damage can be divided into acute and chronic actions. Acute effects are primarily a laser burn. The chronic responses include among others, degenerative changes to the sin, altered immune response, actinic keratosis and various forms of skin cancer.

~Since koi have been artificially bred for precise color, skin texture and tissue structure rather than natures design to resist the environment the natural defense to UVR is greatly reduced and the negative effects can be increased. This may account for some of the skin problems of koi.

Scientific theories concerning pond building are numerous and no doubt have their place in the overall scheme of things. In the real world of this type construction, it is necessary that certain guidelines be followed, even though they are never included in these dissertations. While not remotely termed scientific, the following suggestions must be considered prior to undertaking a project of this magnitude.

1. Twice the amount of room originally estimated for the pond. Note: this allows for the second and third modification of the pond without removing the guest bedroom.

2. A cooperative spouse, who if not already a masseuse, is prepared to take a course in same.

3. A set of plans written in pencil or erasable ink. The finished product will only resemble the title.

4. A concrete pond requires a set of collapsible forms. If not collapsible at the start, don’t worry, they will cooperate when the cement is poured.

5. A selection of leak remedies. Don’t count on the little “Dutch Boy” who plugged the dyke with his finger, he is busy on someone else’s pond.

6. Two sizes of plastic pipe and fittings. The smaller is installed first with the larger comprising one of the earlier modifications.

7. At least two plastic ponds to store the Koi you have purchased in anticipation of the first three estimated completion dates.

8. A 1-hp to 1.5-hp pump. The cost of moving water must be appreciated initially. A later move to a lower horse power pump can make you the savior of a bank overdraft to pay the electric bill.

9. A location for the dirt removed from the hole. Raising the rest of the yard by three feet does not insure friendly relationships with neighbors during the rainy season.

10. Last but by no means least, the right attitude regarding criticism from fellow club members when the project is complete. Remember the rules and you can always tell them you have made provisions for it.

Technical terms: A few technical terms are included in this treatise to help you show your Professionalism in this fine art.::

Filter: A means of returning unwanted items such as algae to the pond.

Plastic Pipe: An easy sanitary method of transporting water. It will always leak at a point 4 to 6 feet under an ornamental part of the landscaping.

Green Water: A normal color for Koi Ponds when visitors are expected.

1. Use many aquatic plants to shade your pond and reduce nutrient loads in the water.

2. Use biological treatments (enzymes and bacteria and give them time to work.

3. The Best pond is a balanced pond. One of the most interesting and challenging aspects of Koi and pond keeping is establishing and maintaining a balanced aquatic ecosystem. Since an ecosystem is a dynamic living group of organisms, our job is usually a matter of fine tuning or maintaining the balance, removing overgrown or unwanted plant material or adding water.

Mud Pond: A color development of a Koi pond when the green gets boring.

Pea Soup: An advanced development of green water. Not recommended as an inclusion on the lunch menu.

Shovel: A torture item left over from the Spanish inquisition.

Doan’s Pills: An extension of the shovel.

Landscaping: An excellent method employed to cover up mistakes in the building of the pond.

JUMPING FOR JOY? From www. Fish doc.co.uk  Copyright FishDoc 1999-2000

Fish often rub against solid objects and leap out of the water. It is possible that they do this to catch flies or get food or they may be playing, However, in the majority of cases it is because something is irritating them. This may be a minor irritation-similar to an itch in humans, perhaps – but it could be more serious. Whether you should act or not depends on the number affected, the frequency of rubbing and leaping, and the vigor involved. If one or two are having a lazy rub on the bottom drain there is no cause for concern, this is fairly normal. But if they are continually tearing about, rubbing vigorously against the sides or bottom or leaping out of the water, then further investigation must be carried out.

Becoming a aquatic health expert involves more than knowing what ‘treatments’ to use indeed, the latter is quite easy as medications are described in most hobbyist books, Many fish suffer or die every year through inaccurate diagnosis and inappropriate treatments.