Frequently Asked Questions

Question: My fish seem to be at the surface trying to eat invisible food.

Answer: Your fish may be starving for oxygen, and they’re actually gulping for air indicating a lack of dissolved oxygen in the pond. A way to determine if there is enough oxygen and water is to use a dissolved oxygen meter. This is a sophisticated electronic instrument, costing several hundred dollars, that can measure the dissolved oxygen level in different parts of your pond. If this is the case, then we can respond immediately and add H2O2 granules to the pond. For permanent resolution to chronic problems, venturi injectors or high-power aeration is the answer.

Question: My fish are all lined up on the bottom of the pond and don’t seem to be moving much. Sometimes they dart around very rapidly and even scrape along the sides of the pond.

Answer: This could be a sign of microscopic parasites contained in the pond. A microscope examination by a veterinarian from a gill scraping is a definitive diagnosis. Left untreated, it will eventually take over the fish and literally suffocate them. Pond Doctors can then apply the proper treatment to the pond. Pond Doctors, due to their expertise and training, can and will treat and monitor the condition.

Question: My Koi’s mouth is stuck open. The fish seems to be breathing heavily and will not eat anything.

Answer: Your Koi can have a pebble or rock stuck in its mouth. We have also seen smaller fish that have swam into a large Koi’s mouth and get stuck in there. A veterinarian can gently remove the foreign object from the fish’s mouth. As the swallowed fish is likely wedged in the Koi’s mouth due to its fin spines, it takes skill and experience to extract it. Our aim is for both fish to survive!

Question: My fish has red sores on its body and a large one on its head.

Answer: Your Koi likely has bacterial ulcers from an infectious process; however, it could be viral, or a water quality issue. The Koi must be examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause of this very serious problem that can progress very rapidly. The fish may need to be treated with topical and/or injectable antibiotics by a veterinarian. The pond itself must be thoroughly examined and tested for possible microbial contamination and water quality.

Question: My pond water is crystal clear, and the fish seem to be okay. How do I know if I really have a healthy pond?

Answer: An excellent way to assess pond health is to measure the oxidation reduction potential (O.R.P) of the pond and source water. This measurement, over time, can determine levels of organic pollution, filter and aeration efficiency, and even feeding levels. Sophisticated instrumentation is used to perform this, and related tests give a true picture of the pond’s condition to provide the protocol to tune up your pond for a healthy future with minimal care!

Question: Some of my Koi have red streaks on their body and/or fins, especially in the white and lighter colored areas.

Answer: There are several reasons for red streaks to appear in or on a fish’s skin. It can be an infection or irritation from poor or polluted water, stress…or a combination of factors. A diagnosis by a veterinarian can only be made after examining the fish themselves and the water they live in by Pond Doctors.

Question: I have what looks like small flying saucers measuring less than 2 mm crawling all over my Koi.

Answer:This is usually fish lice. This parasite can rapidly overwhelm and kill your fish. After you have a veterinarian make a positive diagnosis, you can apply the most effective treatment for whichever parasite(s) your fish may have to the pond water. We recommend a deep clean of your pond to get rid of all of the parasites as soon as possiable. Call us so we can do it correctly and safely for your fish.

Question: My pond looks like green pea soup! I can’t see my fish. How can Pond Doctors help?

Answer: What you are looking at is single cell algae. While it doesn’t directly hurt your fish, it doesn’t promote a healthy environment and is a sign of other unhealthy situations. The algae can be taken care of by chemicals and by putting on an ultraviolet light sterilizer that runs through your filtration system.

Question: How do I know how much to feed my fish?

Answer: All food should be consumed within 5 minutes: once to twice a day. Just like dog and cat food, there are different qualities; the only difference is that the fish have to live in the water that is contaminated by the uneaten, lower quality food! This directly affects the level of DOC (dissolved organic compounds) in the water, thus affecting good filtration and overall health of the fish. We have high quality fish food for you to purchase! We can deliver your fish food to you upon your estimate, evaluation, or maintenance call.

Question: What do I do with my fish when the temperature falls during the winter?

Answer: Koi are able to tolerate the coldest of South Florida temperatures. African Cichlids and other tropical fish are not as hardy. When the air temperature drops below 50 degrees, all waterfalls should be diverted to underwater. Be careful that this doesn’t affect the dissolved oxygen level. Remember, well water has a dissolved oxygen of less than 1 mg/l (1%). Fish will die at levels below 3 mg/l (3%) and barely survive at levels below 5 mg/l (5%). Ask us how to increase the levels, so your fish will thrive!

Question: Does the direct sunlight affect my Koi? They seem to congregate along the edges and I can’t see them.

Answer: Even Koi get sunburn! Adequate shade is extremely important during the mid sunny days. Pond Doctors has many solutions for this problem, such as shade over the pond allowing you to still enjoy and observe happy Koi!

Question: Birds are eating my fish!

Answer: Pond Doctors has many humane ways of deterring these predatory creatures! Just call us and ask us how we can help keep your fish safe.

Question: What do I do with my fish in the event of a hurricane? How do I prepare my pond for a hurricane?

Answer: Lack of electricity for several hours will begin to immediately impact the health of the pond. Your bio filter begins to lose the beneficial bacteria and will begin dying after a few hours. Do Not let your filter return the water back into the pond after a prolonged outage. Backwash and rinse your filter before letting the water return into your pond. The best preparation other than emergency electrical backup, is to stop feeding your fish several days before the threat of landfall. Pond Doctors has the emergency kits and instructions to help keep your valuable “living jewels” alive.