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This really isn't funny anymore!

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Anthony:
Hi all,

I'm sad to say that over the weekend I discovered yet another one of my fish had succumbed to the mystery disease that exists in my pond.  In total I have now lost 6 fish to this disease since May.  (2 Orfe, 1 Shub and 3 Goldies!) I'm really at a loss as to what is causing it.  All the fish that have died have had sores mainly on their sides that have got progressively worse and then become fatal!

The weird thing is that my pond is in 3 connected sections, 2 of which house fish.  All six fish that have died have been from the bottom section.  Is it now worth transferring the fish from the "cursed" section into the safe one or will this make no difference?

Thanks

Tony

Margaret:
Hi Tony.I am very sorry to hear of further problems.As you say,it is strange that it is only happening to the fish in the bottom pond.It sounds as if they have injured themselves on something and bacteria has set in,causing ulceration and a miserable death.The quality of the water is obviously not 100% or they would be able to fight off minor injuries.Do you think there is anything in that section that has a rough edge that the fish could have caught themselves on? Well worth having a look.How many do you have left in there now,how much room do you have in the other section,and have you treated the pond with anything? Plus,have you tested for ammonia/nitrate levels? Now that the water is so cold,fish have less chance of fighting infections.Certainly you must stop feeding if you haven't already.
It will not be a mystery disease.Most people assume a newly bought fish to have brought disease with it,but it does not happen like that.However,a recently bought fish could succumb to the stress of being moved,and the differing water quality.They are more sensitive than people think.I know you have done as much as anyone could to do it right,but sometimes bad luck hits and i should know because it happened to me a lot in the early days.I would move them to the top if you can catch them without streessing them,but more important to find out what is causing the problem first.
 

Anthony:
Thanks Margaret,

I do check both PH and Nitrate levels fortnightly and they always give favourable readings i.e. ph 7.5 and the Nitrate shows as clear!  The 2 sections are practically identical other than water flows into the top from the filter, whereas it flows out of the bottom to the said filter.  

The fish who died this weekend was one of the initial 4 we bought in May.  Like the others that have died previously it seemed fine upto the point of it's sorry end.   I still have 10 left in the bottom (5 orfe, 5 goldfish) and about that number in the top.  I was thinking of just moving the goldfish into the top as I'm certain that if I did move the Orfe they would be back in the bottom via the waterfall before too long anyway!!

Also while I have you here Margaret what do I need to do with these here plants I have?  The Water Lillies are now begining to look a bit worst for wear and I wasn't sure exactly what to do with them! Also what should I do about the Parrots feather?  Should I just get stuck in with the garden clippers?

thanks

Tony

Margaret:
Hi Tony.I am beginning to wonder whether,despite the water readings, you have had too many fish too soon and though the readings are alright now,there could have been a sudden deterioration that you may not have noticed.Anyway,about your plants.Any water lilies starting to go black,or even yellow,need a good firm tug to get the whole stalk away from the pot.If the stem breaks,it will come away when it has further rotted.Yes,do trim up the parrots feather,you can be quite ruthless,because it will grow again from quite low down.If you don't,the leaves will go all mushy when the pond gets icy,and will not be good water quality wise.

So you think there is nothing that can have hurt the fish?Do make sure.It is surely more than co incidence that it was only at the bottom that you had the problems.Personally I would leave them.Fish do not like being moved.Perhaps too you have been overfeeding them a little.Very easy to do,I did in the early days.We all have to live and learn!  I do hope you have no more problems.

Anthony:
hmmm!!

Now your asking!!!

Not sure if this is the answer to the question you asked but the filter is made up of 2 sections the first being a thick sponge which filters out the "solid waste"  The second being made up of tiny circular platic "things" about the same size and shape as the top of a fabric conditioner bottle!  I generally clean the sponge section every 2-3 weeks using pond water of course.  I've never cleaned the plastic cups (not sure if/how to)

I've not added anything to the filter other than filter start (Not sure exactly what this contains) which I added for the first few weeks after adding the fish!

I'm scheduled for a clean and test again this weekend so I'll let you know how it goes.  One thing that a number of people have asked has been about amonia levels.  I've not ever checked this and was wondering if it was worth doing?

Thanks

Tony

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