Pet Information > ASK Experts > Pet Fish > Pond Water Gardening > pond fish acting strange

pond fish acting strange

25 9:58:52

Question
I have had my outdoor pond for 3 or 4 years with pretty good luck. but lately my goldfish and one koi seem to be hang by the sides of the pond, under rock outcropping in the shallow bog area, not swimming around at all! A week ago for the first time I used MICROBE-LIFT. It is time to add second round. Is this stuff the problem?

Answer
Microbe-Lift should not harm the fish.  It sounds like the fish are scared because a predator has visited.  Are any fish missing?  Could a heron or raccoon have visited?  I would rule out water quality issues by testing the pond for pH, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, oxygen, and chlorine.  Do a partial water change with dechlorinator (if you have city water).  Fish hiding all of a sudden is a common response following a predator visiting.

Good luck!
Robyn
fishpondinfo.com