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A quick post, and hoping to add photo's later, but wanted initial feedback.
Is this a major problem? Also, would/could anything be done about it?
I have an Doitsu Ochiba which also seems to be struggling with a swim bladder problem, of approx 5-6yrs old (maybe older ) that has a really protruding vent.
I have a shiro I showed at the EMKC winter show that has the same, but not so extended.
is there any chance you could post some pictures please? this was i can better help
this is likely not genetic and defo not poor pond parameters but most likley an internal bacterial infection or displaced swim bladder finaly and lost likley egg impaction or an overload of eggs
i would need some pix's to make a more accurate diagnosis
As the koi is still active and seems ok I shall get some photos from the window on the weekend (or earlier if home early enough).
Another factor is that the koi seems to have a flat body line after the dorsal, so looks a little out of shape, but no apparent egg related symptoms, swollen abdomen etc.
As you say, photo required, so will post asap.
Mark
PS This photo is of the koi on January 9th this year, when bowled for a scrape with a few others not too chuffed at the time.
i would say quite the opposite this fish is heavy in spawn and needs spawning ASAP tghe spawn woukld be carried low down i have outlined where it is in one of your pictures this is applying pressure to everything ands trying to push the vent outward when she has spawned it shoukd all retturn to normal
Ur, not what I was expecting at all....so can you advise if I am supposed to encourage this at all?
If you saying ASAP you mean its a sort now or have problems?
I have had heat down to 12 over winter, and now at 18 degrees as taken delivery of a new koi at higher growing temps, so wanted to check ok to do this now.
I assume I should anesthetize first.... ok off to do some research on the site to see if there are how to spawn/hand strip on the site....
DON'T HANDSTRIP - You could potentially damage the koi. I would personally wait till the spring and then using a vat and a viable male spwan then the natural way.
Have a read up on carp pituitary (spelling?) extract in Dunc's book - should help.
greg is right do not try to hand strip her as she is this will rupture the ovary sack
we are getting really cloose to the point in the year now where this should take place naturally failing that you will need some pituitary or some water from a pond thats just spawned
as far as me saying ASAP the fact that the vent is prolapsed is telling you that it needs imminent attention but you ahev a few weeks leaway till we get to the natural spawning envelope
A separate vat as a pond for treatment/spawning is certainly on the 'must have list'.
I shall keep you updated with this koi, but in the meantime will have to suss out the most effective size of a 'spawning tank' to use on a temporary basis.
There are a few places about that do 6ft vats for not a lot of cash so one of these might be ideal or keep your eye on e-bay for a 2nd hand one (although i don't see them crop up very often). Then a set of spawning brushes are literally a few quid.
Get the water temps right and then the little tips such as water from a recent spawned pond / hormone and your away - you hope. We both know a hobbyist who does this on purpose with his collection every year now or ask Mark and Lisa at Cuttlebrook for advice.
I know hand stripping is not a good idea but under the correct conditions it can be done as i think Bob did just this with one of the fish he got when we was in Japan
I "think" (at least its my impression) that hand stripping can only be carried out when the vent is fine and the female koi has already been started off so to speak by males or hormones. If you attempt it on a none ready koi you will damage (or at least risk damage) the internals.
Given we are around 4 weeks or so away from the natural time to spawn anyway i'd choose this route as its easier to control and less risky. Having said that i feel with THIS KOI there are extra risks anyway as i wonder if she will be able to get the eggs out of such a swollen vent???
I was thinking out load so to speak as i was wondering if :
A. Mark will be able to get a set up and males to stimulate her.
B. If she will be able to actually release all her eggs without and trouble if lucky enough to spawn.
I know Bob had carried out this procedure and i cant remember why but it is not just a case of hand stripping there is a stimulant Carp Pituitary Extract (CPE) which there is a technique which i am sure Duncan or Bob can explain better than I.
The koi spawned last year (for the first time!?), causing a load of mess in the pond, so I like the idea of getting them to spawn in a vat, and yes I have spawning nets, so just need a vat.
How would you guys deal with the ammonia in the Vat? I would see this to be a case of wait for them to be looking ready for action, then get them in the VAT and keep an eye on them, and return to the pond after, or if no action within an hour or two?
Does anyone go to effort of rigging up a filter?
I can see a few early mornings trying to catch them getting frisky.
Oh, and lastly, I know bigger the better, but what minimum size should i consider, and I guess round shaped a must, with them chasing each other around the vat?
) that has a really protruding vent.
