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Hello Koi Enthusiasts!
This blog is here to provide a spot for various things that do or might pertain to Koi. This stuff is intended for your entertainment, and is not meant to meet the stricter standards of our ebooks and courses, so use this info carefully and at your own risk. The short articles here may be descriptions of techniques that have proved effective, an introduction to new fish research, facts, graphs or just something FUN about fish! This information can be a springboard for your imagination and an entertaining place to learn something new. Information that was first published in Question of the Week can be found here.
The more we learn about Koi, the more FUN this hobby is - and we always say - if you're not havin' FUN, you're not doin' it right!
This is an excellent study on the physical effects of stress on fish. It documents visible changes to the gills, heart and other organs.
If you have chlorine or chloramine treated water, K.O.I. has always recommended the use of a water shut off timer whenever doing a pond refill. In fact, they are so cheap (and they do sometimes fail, that Spike now recommends using 2 of them, one after the other.
But there is another way that doesn't involve the use of ANY device. Read what the Fish Vet in Australia recommends.
Which Koi is most likely to get sick?
Likelihood of success if you have a pond or Koi problem...
If you had to guess which Koi would get sick...
Ever wonder why some Koi Club's decline over time?
Koi are still used as gifts in China. This article is about a breeder who is trying to use a gift of Koi to find a wife for her son.
This short article is the New Zealand government's position about Koi.
This is a great little article about Koi, and how one breeder got $1.8 Million for a Grand Champion! Starts with basics, but the info about color cells and cell depth is fascinating.
Koi should never be released into lakes or streams because of the environmental damage they do. Read this story about how bad the problem has become in one local lake...
It's kind of like an amazing dream coming to life. Your adorable little goldfish grows into a giant, chasing you around a pond.
Only in this case, 11-year-old Luke Hebb wasn't dreaming when he fished a 16-pound koi out of Lacombe Lake in St. Albert Wednesday morning.
When a vandal killed a collection of Koi from a community park, other Koi keepers have pitched in to replace the loss
If you've ever wondered what happens when an otter discovers a Koi pond in a botanical garden, read this story. The good news is that the aquarium folks jumped in and saved the remaining Koi.
For those of you who are interested in the status of KHV reports in Japan at the end of 2018, here's the current info (see below). This is from a Japanese Nishikigoi website.
Have you ever wondered about fish blood and it's components? The following 2 studies are about platelets (thrombocytes). Platelets not only facilitate blood clotting, but also provide an important protective barrier, and can be used to determine the age of the Koi.
For those of you that might be interested, I am posting a study done in the Czech Republic in 2007 about testing Koi for KHV. They too conclude that the best option is prevention! Scroll down to read the article...
Copper is ubiquitous in our environment - from pesticides to pipe. Some copper gets into our ponds and this study shows how even small amounts affect Koi in many damaging ways. This study goes into great detail to show the effects on the brain, blood, liver, gills, and kidneys based on very low exposure to copper.
This study evaluates the toxic residual pharmaceuticals in the water as they affect algae, the environment and fish. The results indicate that there are numerous other external factors that complicate the testing. An interesting study, not directly related to our Koi, but certainly affecting our water sources. The list of chemicals they tested for is staggering!
This research describes how monoclonal antibodies were successfully developed for use in diagnosing disease of carp (including Koi). The results are then used to develop specific antibodies to detect Spring Viremia of Carp (SVC). The hope is to develop a vaccination against SVC based on these findings.
This study examines the effects of nitrite poisoning, and how to prevent it. As a further benefit, the study examines the carp's ability to recover. This is something every Koi keeper needs to know, as it will be useful each time a filter is 'started.'
It was originally thought that analyzing white blood cells in carp was an indicator of the age of the fish. This study refutes that finding.
This study investigates whether age or weight affects a Koi's resistance to bacterial disease.
When a swab is sent to a lab for a bacterial identification (culture and sensitivity test), an API 20E test is commonly used. But is it missing other pathogenic bacteria?
Heavy metals are toxic to fish, including our Koi. Understanding the effects of heavy metals, and which metals are toxic is useful to Koi keepers.
In these 2 studies, other species of fish were tested to see if they could be carriers of KHV.
Have you ever wondered how the immune system works in Koi? Learn what organ are involved, and the effects of some immune modulators.
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!If you're not havin' FUN, you're not doin' it right
