Keeping Your Koi Healthy; Koi fish are beautiful additions to any pond, but unfortunately, accidents can happen.

If your koi suffers a wound, it’s important to act quickly and effectively to promote healing and prevent infection. Here’s a step-by-step guide to treating koi wounds:

Keeping Your Koi Healthy: Gathering Supplies

Before you begin, ensure you have a well-lit and clean workspace. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Treatment tray
• Towels
• Fish Wound Treatment Set (including Hydrogen Peroxide 3%, Propolis, cotton swabs, pipette, and disinfectant spray)
• Landing Net
• Koi Sock

Preparing the Anesthetic Bath:

1. Place a treatment tray near a basin filled with clean water.
2. Add the recommended amount of fish anaesthetic to the tray according to the instructions (usually around 3 ml per 5 litres of pond water).
3. Fill the tray with pond water to dilute the anaesthetic. This allows for better distribution and minimizes stress on the fish.

Catching and Anesthetizing the Koi:

1. Using a landing net, gently capture the injured koi.
2. Wet the koi sock and carefully transfer the fish into it.
3. Submerge the koi sock with the fish into the anaesthetic bath.

Important Note: Never lose sight of the koi during the procedure. Keep an eye out for any signs of distress, particularly gill bleeding. If observed, immediately return the fish to the pond and possibly assist its breathing (see step 8).

Preparing the Wound Treatment:

While the koi undergoes anaesthesia, prepare the wound treatment:

1. Unscrew the cap of the Hydrogen Peroxide 3% and pour a small amount into the cap.
2. Soak cotton swabs in the hydrogen peroxide.
3. Fill the pipette with Propolis.
4. Disinfect your hands with the provided spray.

Keeping Your Koi Healthy : Treating the Wound

1. Once the koi appears calm and its breathing is regular, remove it from the anaesthetic bath and place it on a wet towel.
2. Gently cover the koi’s eyes with a damp cloth to keep it calm. If breathing stops at any point, return the fish to the pond immediately. You can help by holding it near the water flow or gently moving it through the water with its mouth open.
3. Using a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide, carefully clean the wound. Focus on inflamed scales and remove any loose debris. Avoid healthy scales and do not rinse with water.
4. Apply Propolis to the cleaned wound using the pipette and allow it to dry briefly.

Releasing the Koi:

1. Gently transfer the koi back into the pond.
2. Monitor its breathing. If necessary, assist the koi by holding it near the water flow or gently moving it through the water with its mouth open (see step 8).
3. Release the koi back into the pond once its breathing is strong and it attempts to swim on its own.

Remember: This is a general guide. Always consult a veterinarian or experienced koi keeper for specific advice, especially for severe wounds.

Additional Tip: Maintaining good water quality in your pond is crucial for preventing infections and promoting wound healing. Regularly test and adjust your pond’s water parameters to ensure a healthy environment for your koi.