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Residents are calling for action after scores of disease-ridden fish died in a pond on a housing estate.
Around 30 of the creatures were spotted floating in the water at Holborough Lakes, Snodland, by those who live nearby and a rescue effort was mounted to save some of the others.
Footage which shows the parasites the fish have
Brad Voak, a keen fisherman who has his own koi pond, was called in to help as his mother-in-law lives on the estate.
After looking at some of the fish under a microscope, Mr Voak thinks they have potentially dangerous parasites and diseases such as Trichodina, Chilodonella and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) which is often referred to as “white spot disease”.
The Poynder Drive pond is managed by the Residential Management Group (RMG) and it is predicted in the region of 100 fish - primarily koi and goldfish - remain in the pond.
The 30-year-old window fitter fears residents have been putting fish from their own private ponds into the lake, which can risk contamination. Mr Voak, of Leybourne Chase, says he has spoken to staff at RMG, with the infected pond being filled with more water at the weekend.
He says he explained the situation to them last week but said: "I suspect nothing is really going to be done about it."
“It is not very nice for the local adults. But it is not very nice for the children to see either,” he continued.
“So many kids walk past there every single day, saying ‘Why are there floating fish?’ That must be horrible.”
In a desperate attempt to save some of the worst affected, Mr Voak went in and attempted to rescue some of the fish.
He said: “I took four of the koi fish.
“I put some waders on and tried to net them to save as many as I could. That became extremely difficult.
“The pond is full of lily pads, so all the fish just sank to the bottom and just hid in the lily pads. I managed to get four of them.
“I have put them into a quarantine pond. I still have those four.
“The conclusion is they are riddled with parasites and they need treating.”
Updating on their condition this Monday, he said: "The koi are still with me and they're doing alright. They’re still not feeding which isn’t a good sign.
"I still don’t think they will make it but, at the moment, they’re alright."
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We are aware of the incident regarding fish in distress at a private pond in Snodland
“We are providing advice and guidance to the owner about how to deal with the situation.”
Mr Noak says sister-in-law Keely Brattle, as well as other residents of the Holborough Lakes community, have been instrumental in their efforts which started on July 2 when Mr Noak was called in.
He said: "Lots of people have been involved. Especially when we tried netting some of them, a lot of people came out."
Mr Noak also says the koi he has recovered are covered in mucus too, and he suspects it is the oxygen levels in the pond that are causing the issues.
An RMG statement said: "As managing agents for Holborough Lakes, RMG reacted quickly to investigate the incident and commissioned a water specialist contractor to undertake an inspection. Identified as part of their investigation were high levels of ammonia.
"We have had discussions with the Environment Agency and have been advised they had received other instances of high ammonia readings, resulting from turbulent weather conditions.
"Our contractor attended to drain the pond and treat the water to reduce the PH level, which had been recorded, and we continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis."
Mr Noak says he is reluctant to take too many more fish because he already has a pond with 20 koi in, adding: “I have received messages from locals, asking if I’ll take some more. But the more I put into my pond, it is becoming harder and harder for me.
“Where those four are living is more like a hospital tank. They shouldn’t live there forever.
“I’m using a powerful medicine, which kills the parasite without killing the fish. But these fish, they are all very weak.
"Their immune systems are down and they are covered in mucus.
“But I just think they are too far gone. I will be very surprised if they live.”
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