Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Howdy! One of my Koi fish will act normal but from time to time the little guy will swim on his side, its dorsal fin looks like its down and it will go up for a gulp of air from time to time. I think the fish has trouble with its swim balder but i would like a second opinion.

Can you isolate the sick Koi for medication?

Yes I have a isolation tank ready to go

>> Yes I have a isolation tank ready to go

sounds like you are set to go.

in which case you may be best use one of the Koi sites to get suggestions on (a) what it is and (b) how to treat.
These will be the most relevantt to Koi and the easiest to diagnose with as they are specific to koi issues.

What is a swim balder?
Hope your fish get better. I hate to hear of suffering.

-K98

I have had great success with a quarantine tank and chloride salt added to 5ppt. It seems to be magic for most pathogens - they don't seem to like salt. Be sure to use pure salt - not table salt - no iodine, no anti-caking, no rust and scale inhibitors, etc. I find the cheapest options are pool salt (never tried but heard it is suitable) and water softener salt like Solar salt or potassium chloride. Epsom salt will not work for disease since it has no chlorides, but it is good to add Mg and sulfate to your system if needed.

For us Yanks that use the ridiculous Imperial system, 1 gal = 8.34 lbs, so add 8.34 lbs of salt per 1000 gallons of water for 1ppt.