Red streaks on tails

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carolgrn

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 30, 2015
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We have had a pond since 2005. Approximately 1500 - 2000 gallons. 2 Large Butterfly Koi, 1 sml-med butterfly koi, 1 large shubunkin.
Just noticed that the White & Red Large butterfly and the sml-med Yellow butterfly have red streaks in their tails.
Just did test strip test. Absolutely no chlorine, nitrite, or nitrate.
We have natural high ph water & Hardness between 75 - 150 & Alkalinity is Blue as blue can be.

Can anyone help me?
 
Did you test ammonia? Cause that's what I'd associate red streaks with, ammonia burns

Plus if no nitrates, that's a problem too; maybe the cycle crashed
 
Later I did an ammonia test. It tested at 1.0
We went ahead an added Kordon AmQuel Plus
 
Is your ammonia still elevated? Why would it even register? how long has the pond been running? Do you have adequate surface area to provide biological filtration?
 
Just checked - Yes, ammonia still elevated.

Pond established back in 2005. Enlarged Pump and Filters 2009. All Biologic

Husband says gallons is closer to 1,000 to 1,200
Surface area is large. LARGE waterfall & 3 added bubblers
 
What about your submerged surface area? Do you have gravel or stones on the bottom? Is your pH low? With an aged system like that you shouldn't see ammonia. The issue is that the nitrifying bacteria aren't doing their job, and I have a hunch that it's related to a lack of surface area or a low pH. I hope it gets resolved soon!
 
Gravel on bottom. Ph is HIGH (hot pink), alkalinity is out of range (medium blue), soft - very soft, chlorine, nitrite and nitrate show white.
Yes, I did check my strips with 4 aquariums.
 
If this is an outdoor pond check for something that has died in the water. Rat in the filter or dead fish. Adding salt helps the koi with the presence ammonia.
 
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