Posted on the KoiVet Web Board, 11-2-99, by Chris Neaves.
New koi are stressed koi. Stressed koi = potential disease outbreaks.
Keep the new ones separate for several weeks. Increase oxygen (a very good idea) + filter well. If necessary you may have to use zeolite to keep ammonia levels down.
Your PRIMARY aim is to give the new fish a chance to regain their strength, health and immunity. This takes time. Harsh chemical treatments is not going to do this for you.
If you don't have to use zeolite add a little salt for the stress. Or perhaps salt at first (good idea) then after the water changes begin using zeolite to keep ammonia down.
After a day or two of acclimatization start to do water changes with the water from your existing pond.
Most 'bugs' are water bourn. By changing water in the quarantine pond with the water from your existing pond the new fish must acclimatize themselves to your existing eco-system.
The water from the quarantine pond is pumped to waste NOT back to the main pond. You then have a one-way water flow - from your pond to quarantine pond to waste (or garden). Don't be afraid to do this daily in small quantities of say 5% per day.
After a time the new fish will regain their strength and their immune systems will get going again. (all dependent on temperature and water quality).
After a few weeks take a fish from your existing pond and add it to the quarantine pond. Still carry on with the water changes from the pond to the quarantine pond to waste. After a week or two if all seems well you can start to add the new fish to your main pond.
This is by no means a perfect and fool proof method but the introduction of new fish to the pond will be less risky as the new fish are force to defend themselves against your 'bugs' and adapt to the water. Your losses can be cut down.
I must stress this is very temperature dependent. At lower temperatures you have a problem and it will take much longer. Below about 55F the immune system is shutting down.
It is a fact that it is always risky when adding new fish into a pond. In most cases there is not a problem. But occasionally an infection can spread through the collection with devastating consequences.
Regards, Chris
Medications 24x7 Pondrx.com has medications you need, 24 hours a day, with usage guides written by Dr. Erik Johnson. http://www.pondrx.com Relevance A+
Bead Filtration is Superior Aquadyne bead filtration is fantastically efficient, takes up so little space, and the Cadiallac filtration system is yours for less than you'd expect. http://www.aquadynamite.com Relevance A
Fishdoc.net Fishdoc combines the knowledge of Frank Prince Iles and Dr. Erik Johnson, this informative web site (non retail) offers a FAQS section, a find a vet section, and more! http://www.fishdoc.net Relevance A+
PondStuff.com The Pondstuff website offers EVERYTHING a ponder or koi keeper could ever need. We don't sell junk there, if it doesn't work, we don't offer it to you at any price. Filtration, food, supplies and medications. http://www.pondstuff.com Relevance A+
Pondkeeping.com Water gardeners paradise, this site takes you through the process of getting that pond in the yard. If you already have a pond, check out our product tests and articles. Filtration, food, supplies and medications. http://www.pondkeeping.com Relevance A+
