Tropical Fish Forums

[JWalk79]

I just looked at my baby koi tonight (he's about 3" long) and he has a white scrape in his orange head! He's always very active, and he has in the past put a little split in his tail and popped a scale or two, all of which I have treated with melafix, some StressCoat and aquarium salt to prevent any infections. But now, he has literally scraped off the color in a small stripe down the top of his head. I dosed him with the melafix and some salt as a precaution. The stripe is not red or swollen or bleeding...it's like someone took an eraser and erased the color on the top of his head.

Now, my question is whether or not he will regain the color (orange/red) on the top of his head when this heals. He's a beautiful little fish, and not show quality or anything, but he has a fantastic nearly perfectly symmetrical kohaku pattern to him. But I am just wondering if anyone thinks he'll get the color back on his stirpe.

Any ideas for how I can get him to chill out a bit, too? He'll be going in a pond this spring, but I don't want him to keep hurting himself because he is so rambuncious. I try to keep his water cool (around 70-72 degrees F) which helps calm him...but any other suggestions?

Thanks!

[Oscer]

Yes, he should regain he's colour, it may take some time.

[JWalk79]

What's the best way to cool an aquarium? Sounds like a silly question, but this tank doesn't even have a heater and stays put at about 70-72 degrees F, which is the general room temperature. I try to keep the lights off in the hood which can raise the temp, and it's also out of the sunlight. Sometimes when I make small water changes I cool add some slightly cooler water, but it will always increase to match the ambient temp of the room.

Strange question, I know. Most people can't get their tank warm enough!

[Oscer]

I have often had the same problem with some of my smaller cold reefs. The only option is to add a cooling device (not necessarily economically viable) or bring down room temp if you can. Dose your room temp fluctuate?
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