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Koi Health

Myron Kloubec, owner Kloubec Koi Farms has over 40 years in aquaculture. He has dedicated his entire life to fish production. Through trial and error has set Kloubec Koi Farm apart from its competitors by using a common sense approach first.  

By Myron Kloubec

As Koi hobbyists we’re all searching for the newest, latest and greatest, thing to make, and keep our pets healthy. We go out and buy the newest, latest and greatest, product and treat our pond. Then, we’d like to forget about Koi health until the next crisis develops. Sound familiar? 

 

My philosophy on Koi health is simple; Preventative Maintenance.  I developed this philosophy at a young age. To this day I still recall my high-school Shop & Auto Mechanic teacher, Mr. Heining’s sincere pledge, "Preventative maintenance, preventive maintenance, and preventive maintenance!" As a student I heard these words every single day during my high-school years. It’s the same with our Koi. We must prevent parasites on a regular basis. Don’t wait until your favorite fish is flashing and rubbing on the edge of the pond, or even worse. Prevent parasites, prevent parasites, and prevent parasites! 

 

In my fish experience, which is over 40 years, I’ve fought many battles with fish disease and fish parasites. Most of the time I win, but occasionally the disease and parasites prevail. As a dog or cat owner we regularly worm our family pets against internal and external parasites. The pet gets vaccinations on a regular schedule, too. So, as a fish owner, why should our fish-husbandry be any different?  Why treat the pond if my Koi don’t have a problem, you might ask? Don’t you change the oil in your vehicle as maintenance, or vaccinate the family pet to prevent health problems? 

 

When we treat our ponds, the products used generally kill most of the parasites and parasite larvae. But, many times there remain a few parasites that have burrowed under your Koi's slime coat. They are as happy as a ‘bug-in-a-rug’ when you treat your pond. They are safe and sound under that slime coat. And soon, they’re going to make babies! Lots of new tiny little feeding and breeding parasites. Just because you killed the parasites today doesn’t mean your Koi won’t become subjected to a new batch of parasites tomorrow! 

 

Pond owners should treat for parasites on a regular schedule.  Many parasites are only visible under a microscope. If you have ever looked at a fish parasite under a microscope they’re quite fascinating. Weird little organisms, some are kind of cute. Have you ever seen a fish~louse with a 10x power lens? They have funny little faces… but a large and cruel intention. They have found your Koi, and it is a perfect host. It’s scary how much damage can be caused by something we can’t even see with our own eyes. 

 

All parasites have a common goal; Feed & Breed!  Ideally, you should treat your pond for parasites several times each year.

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