My poor 8 year old female hariwake, for 2 years has what I strongly suspect is a large tumor. About a month ago she took a turn for the worse, staying at the top of the coping ledges with her dorsal fin and top of body up out of the water. This in air temps of 20 degrees- for weeks.

I tried but could not catch her- she had enough energy to dart to the bottom of the pond. After a couple of days of disturbing the other Koi- I decided to treat her like I would a hospice patient. Stop chasing her and let her live her final days in the home she knows.

I wished she would live long enough for the warmer temps- and maybe even a little food. The last couple of days her slimy,tattered, bloody fins are now slightly pink and appear intact. She has eaten twice and is swimming with the other Koi. She did it. :)