Koi - balance problem

Question
My biggest koi is having difficulty keeping "flat".  He is struggling and is a very large silver fish.  He is the "reincarnation" of the big fish I lost in the bad winter last year- we called him jaws - the symptoms look just the same as jaws - although not so severe at the moment.  I covered part of the pond for Jaws so he could lay there out of the heron's sight - he even survived through the ice - I just hate to think this is happening again without trying to do something.  Fish not feeding yet - still chilly out there.

Any help would be gratefully received.

Margaret

Answer
Hi Margaret,

If it's chilly out, and it's below 55F, he's probably having balancing issues because he's freezing to death.

They require warmer water and although they can survive most winters, in some areas, Koi are just not possible.

Bring him inside.  Get a swimming pool and bring him in.  Provide some of the pond water for him, perhaps 2 five gallon buckets full, a couple floating plants if you have them and put him in a small pool.

He's got to get warmer!  Change his water every weekend 10%, and then when it's warmer (a month or so down the road) put him back outside.

I hope this is helpful.  This is the best advice I can give you...the cold is probably just too much for the little guy.

Happy fish-keeping and I will cross my fingers that your beautiful Koi makes it.

Renee