Yesterday as my Texas Tank was drying up I noticed two herons going after my Koi. I ran out scared the birds away and placed the Koi in a bucket nose down. His tail was bloody and noticed peck marks on his tail. Think that is the worst of it. After eradicating myself from the mud, I put the Koi in a 25 gallon tub in the garage with aeration. He seems to be doing fine. How long can I keep him like this before the rain comes and fills my tank?

Also how do I know if I have a he or she - is it easy to tell???

Oh dear poor fish right is there any way you can fill the tank up i.e hose pipe ?
i sure that bucket is not doing your fish any good what so ever no filter on im surpised its still doing well

I cannot fill my tank with water hose, it is rain and runoff filled, acre surface and about 15' deep when full. I changed the water and it is almost clear now, that flash didn't take the best picture. A place that sells gold fish told me to replace the water once a week for sure.

right i would also cut right back on food the more you feed the more the water becomes toxic.

i still dont really understand why you cant fill the pond with a hose. Are you in texas as in the united states ? and the reason being is that the pond is miles or shall i say kms away from a water sorce ?

Hi im gussing your Texas Tank is a land drain/lake? You can buy a childs swimming pool of around 8ft diameter and 30 inch deep like this


Add a filter system and you can keep the fish in there for as long as you like. It is important to keep an eye on the water quality while the fish is in the bucket by using a water test kit, you will need to watch for Ammonia, ph and nitrite, if allowed to get to high it will kill the fish. I would sugest doing partial water changes each day adding a de-clorinator to the tap water you add. Also have an air pump running with an airstone in the water this is important otherwise the fish will suffercate.

You will also need to keep an eye on the wounds on the fish incase they get infected. I hope you can save the fish it would be a shame to lose it, looks like a Sanke.

Good luck any problems we are here to help. Just a thought is there no one neat by with a pond they could house the fish for a while?

Thanks for your advice. Yes the Texas tank looks like a lake when full. I have partially refilled the little tank I put it in today and all looks well. Since I have never fed my Koi, I haven't thrown in alot of food (do not know what amount to feed). I haven't seen it eat, but when I check on it, the food is no longer floating, so I know it has eaten some food! I am with a pump and airstone, and using an additive when I change water which dechlorinates and is good for the fish as well. This was my only Koi, I also had large gold fish various varieties and small game fish in my tank. Unfortunately for the others, I am afraid I have few survivors. This is a terrible drought we are experiencing in central Texas. We had some rain today, but not enough to cause runoff and that is what fills the tank. I don't know anyone who has a small pond unfortunately.

i am really sorry to hear your troubles. i don't think we would never have a problem like this in the uk as it rains a fair bit by the sounds of things you are doing everything you can to keep your koi well .i will have my fingers crossed for you maybe do a rain dance for you this afternoon

We could always swop our weather with yours you can have our rain and we'll have your sun

i woulds suggest getting a childs swimming pool as there isnt enough room in the container the fish is in, long term you will lose the fish if kept in there too long. And i think your our first international member

well i done my rain dance out of my head on the old cider hope it brings it to you