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Forum Newbie
Group: Awaiting Activation
Last Login: 27/09/2007 23:41:57
Posts: 5,
Visits: 12
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Hi all
Just a few tips on handling koi
10 Golden Rules for making life easier
1) Do not chase the fish around the pond with the net. It will stress it and its pond mates out. If a fish dives behind cover such as a lily pot etc don't poke and prod it out
2) Never let the net touch the koi . A net is for guiding the fish only .
3) Never lift a fish with a net , the resulting damage could be more than the original complaint. Use a koi sock. If you do not have one then buy one they are not expensive.
4) If handling a fish make sure that your hands are cold and wet. Lots of damage can occur from warm/ hot/ dry hands
5) If sedating a fish (separate topic) make sure that your attention is on the fish and not on the kids, dog, next doors 25 year old daughter / son (whatever rocks your boat) sun bathing naked etc. Total concentration is needed otherwise deaths will occur .
6) If in doubt don't do it . Wait until you have someone who know's what they are doing to guide you and watch over your movements.
7) The definition of an idiot is someone who knows nothing and yet still insists on doing the job him/ herself
8) The most expensive koi in the world is a dead one !
9) The best bit of advice ever; Make sure the wife is around with a nice cold beer or a cup of tea so that you don’t get stressed out!
10) If you do get stressed then please refer to rule 10
Sedating Fish
Nearly all fish can be sedated except for really small ones. Sedatives can also be used for euthanasia (the act or practice of killing somebody or some thing that has an incurable illness or injury, or of assisting that person or thing to die. Euthanasia for human beings is illegal in most countries.)
OK this is a little trickier than the Handling koi topic.
Following these simply guidelines should help you to return your fish back to the pond alive!
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE FOR MINOR INJURIES AND TOPICAL TREATMENTS. SURGERY SHOULD NEVER BE CARRIED OUT ON A FISH UNLESS YOU ARE QUALIFIED. This is a guide only and is followed at your own risk. Neither I nor the forum / admin’s will accept any responsibility for death or injuries caused whilst following this guide.
1) Make sure you have a sturdy work surface that gives you enough room to have everything to hand.
2) Place a towel into the middle of the surface ensuring that the towel is at least twice the size of the fish concerned.
3) Place all of your equipment within easy reach. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. You should NEVER leave a sedated koi on its own. If the phone rings leave it. If it's important they will ring back later.
4) Place a bowel with pond water on the floor next to the work surface. If the fish jumps out of the bowl it doesn’t have far to fall. The bowl should be at least twice the length of the fish and deep enough to allow the water to cover the gills fully. Also fill a small bucket with pond water and place this on the work surface next to the towel.
4a) Ensure that you have lots of air ready at the point of the pond where you will be releasing the fish
5) Read the instructions on the bottle that you are using as a sedative ensuring that you FULLY UNDERSTAND the dosage rates
6) Add the sedative to the bowl of pond water on the floor and give it a stir making sure that it is mixed properly.
7) Whilst waiting for the sedative to mix have a good look round to make sure you have everything and that everything is close at hand.
8) Guide the fish to the sock and lift it into the bowl. (NOTE TO ADMINS A LINK TO THE HANDLING KOI TOPIC WOULD BE HANDY HERE)
9) Give the fish a few minutes and then gently try to lift it out of the water. If it wriggles put it back in the bowl and give it a few more minutes (there is no exact time as each fish is different and weighs differently) You are aiming for a situation where the fish doesn’t move when you try to lift it. REMEMBER TO CONSTANTLY WATCH THE FISH. Accidents can happen and that is what we want to avoid.
10) Soak the towel thoroughly from the bucket and remove the bucket from the work surface.
11) Once you are able to lift the fish, place it on the towel and cover the fish (except for the affected area) with the remainder of the towel. Covering the eyes is useful because should the fish come round the darkness will keep it calmer.
12) Working quickly but carefully treat the affected area or problem. If the fish starts to flap during the treatment put it back into the bowl containing the sedative (this should only be done once to avoid stressing the fish any more than you have to).
13) Once you have completed the treatment, lift the koi back into the pond over the air that you have strategically placed at the point of release back into the pool.
14) Hold the koi carefully but firmly over the air stream until the fish is able to swim away unaided.
15) Watch the fish for the next five minutes. If the fish starts to "struggle" then bring it back over the air. Do not let the fish settle on the bottom!
16) Clear up the mess that you have just made ensuring that you a)bag up any dirty cotton buds/ cotton wool or other materials b) keep an eye on the fish
17) Once the fish is swimming and you are happy, go have a cold beer or a cup of tea. YOU HAVE EARNED IT
As with surgery, injections should never be given to fish unless you are properly trained. This is due to the amount of blood vessels and organs just under the very thin layer of skin and fat. There are only a few places on a fish that you can safely inject.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF WHAT TO DO THEN PLEASE DO NOT DO IT. SOMEONE ELSE WHO KNOWS WHAT TO DO CAN ALWAYS HELP YOU, YOU JUST HAVE TO ASK.
Hope this has helped. If it has then please go to the poll and let us know, just click on the smilie
Best Fishes
Richard
Best Fishes
Richard
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Post #106
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 06/10/2007 13:54:52
Posts: 5,
Visits: 30
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If you found the above helpfull then please go to the poll and vote
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Post #114
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 13/12/2007 10:37:53
Posts: 267,
Visits: 2,988
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Hi Richard im not nit picking m8 but ive still to see someone useing a net and a sock at the same time ,not enough hands thats okay if youve got someone with you pushing the net through the water to get the fish into position for the sock still very infomative post m8
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Post #543
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