Usually finding the majority of your koi and/or goldfish dead first thing in the morning means that something happened to the water quality over night.  This indicates that either the water was zapped of all its dissolved oxygen or your pond experienced a pH crash during the wee hours of the morning.

First Aid Steps:

1. Test the Water for Ammonia, Nitrites and pH.

Find the Cause:

Test the water's pH.  If it is lower than 6.8 chances are your pond experienced a pH crash.  Also check the skin on the fish.  Is it peeling?

If the pH test shows a pH of above 7.0 and lower than 8.0 it may not be a pH crash and could very well be low dissolved oxygen.  Your fish may be suffocating.  If any fish are still alive - are they gulping at the top for air?  Was the pump not running during the night?  Is the water temperature in the high 70's or above?

Choose the ONE statement below that best fits the situation:

• My pH is very low.  I think I had a pH crash.
• The skin on the fish is peeling but I don't have a test kit.  I think it could be the pH.
• My pump is on a timer and never runs at night.
• The surviving fish are gulping for air and hanging out by the waterfall or fountain. 
• The water temperature of my pond is extremely high.
• Nothing fits.  Take me to the Diagnostic Clinic.

Items You Might Need:

Master Liquid
Drop Test Kit

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