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Koi Injured by Heron: Emergency Care

Heron speared large koi; found by pond with puncture wound at neck, bleeding gill. Moved to basement kiddie pool with aerator; alive 2 days, resting on side. Asks next steps.

Good Sign: Survival Past 48 Hours

Herons spear fish; if not swallowed, fish may recover if infection prevented.

Treatment Protocol

0.1% pond salt.
MelaFix (natural antibacterial).
Antibiotic (erythromycin) in water.
Topical Bio-Bandage on wound. Source.
Clean water, good filtration, aeration.

Monitor for infection. See Koivet.com and heron deterrence.

Pond and Water Gardening: Koi Pond Fish Die-Off: Diagnosing a Mysterious Mortality Event; Winter Koi Losses in 15,000-Gal Pond: Aerator Placement and Biofilter Loss; Christmas Lights Fall in Pond: Fish Electrocution or Stress?; Overwintering Koi in Upstate NY: Indoor Aquarium Success; Missing Koi: Predators, Jumpers, and Pond Mysteries; New Pond Owner Loses Koi: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them; Why Your Koi Keep Dying in Winter: The Pond Is Too Small; Overwintering Koi in a Shallow Pond (12–14 Inches Deep); Adding Koi to a 1-Acre Stock Pond with Bass, Bluegill, Minnows; Fungal Outbreak in Pond Fish After Koi Relocation: Treatment Strategy

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