Ammonia is a chemical compound made up of hydrogen and nitrogen, as with humans this compound can cause irritation and illnesses for the fish within your pond.

Ammonia can occur naturally within your pond, however ideally ammonia levels should be kept to a reading of zero. A slight deviation of this to a degree is acceptable albeit not ideal and should never exceed a reading of 0.02 ppm.

The pH level of your pond and the temperature can also affect the way in which ammonia affects the fish. For example, if you have a low pH level (acidic) and a low temperature the toxicity of the ammonia is lessened however, if your pH level is high (alkaline) along with a higher temperature this increases the ammonia and the level of toxicity to the fish. This is known as ammonia poisoning.

Symptoms of ammonia poisoning and elevated levels of ammonia are:

• Gasping for air at the surface of the pond.
• Laying at the bottom of the pond.
• Rubbing against surfaces within the pond.
• Flashing.
• Reduced appetite.
• Inflamed gills.
• Inflamed eyes.
• Seeming lethargic.
• Fin rot.

Prominent levels of free ammonia are considered to be dangerous to your fish. can prevent fish from effectively absorbing oxygen, this is due to the fact that the ammonia burns the gills and as a result the immune system reacts by producing more mucus to help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused.

Whilst this natural measure from the immune system partially helps ease the irritation it does inhibit the absorption of oxygen and does leave the fish more prone to getting a bacterial or even a parasitic infection in the gills. Because of the gill irritation the appearance of the gill membranes can become swollen and look visibly irritated. The number of cells covering the gills multiplies extensively to help to protect the gill.
In addition to the gill covering preventing the intake of oxygen, high levels of ammonia can also be detrimental to the gas exchange with the blood, as the ammonia can cause the haemoglobin in the blood to not efficiently absorb the oxygen and instead transport the elements of ammonia around the anatomy of the fish. Therefore, further preventing the fishes’ vital organs from accessing the adequate amounts of oxygen that it needs.

Excessive ammonia within the pond can be caused by:

• Faecal matter.
• Protein build up, either from food waste or deceased fish whose remains have not been found.
• A lack of oxygen within the setting.
• Ineffective filtration.

With all this in mind there are ways in which we can maintain the amount of ammonia in your pond and keep this to a minimum:

• Do not over crowd the pond, less fish means less excrement.
• Reduce the amount of feed, less food means less food waste.
• Regular maintenance.
• Water changes.
• Ensure the filtration system is adequate for the pond you have.

If in doubt, please call the Pond Medic for professional assistance! Tel: 07737 674417