Selecting your koi
Helpful tips on how to select and purchase koi are encompassed in this article. For those who are clueless about buying koi, the author briefly explains what you need to look for as soon as you enter the pet shop of go to a koi farm.
First and foremost, check the koi in the pond for any signs of disease. This can be done with battery powered microscopes. These diseases may include symptoms like redness on the skin, white spots, raised scales and cloudy eyes. Check the fins for rot, lacerations and clamping. The author also recommends not buying from the koi dealer if a central filtration system is being used in the tank.
Once the koi has been chosen, ask to put the selected koi in a shallow basin so any imperfections that were originally missed can be seen on a closer observation. The fish should be active and the gills should be close to the body and moving in unison.
To reduce ammonia in the plastic for transportation, koi is usually starved. When importing koi, these are put in quarantine for about four weeks. As much as possible avoid koi that are thin. Look for good formation, shiny skin and a well balanced color and pattern.
When taking the koi home, check to make sure that the bag is big enough to hold the koi comfortably. To prevent punctures and leaks, secure the fish in two bags that are oxygenated. In the car, the author recommends placing the bag on its side and secured properly to prevent sliding and falling from the seat. Keep the bag from a direct source of heat. Once the koi is home, it is not necessary to dump it in its designated pond at once. Float the bag with the koi inside for about an hour. This allows the temperature of the water inside the bag to equalize with that of the pond water and prevents the koi from being shocked in the new environment. Only then can you slowly release the fish into the pond. To check your pond of harmful bacteria, you may use battery powered microscopes.
The author also suggests doing your own quarantine of the new fish. Separate the new koi in its own pond for about 4 to 6 weeks. If there are diseases that are present in the fish, these will not spread into the main pond where the other fish are. The author states quite sensibly that it is easier and cheaper to treat that one afflicted fish rather to treat the whole pond.
Koi owners should realize that for the most optimal koi living conditions, they need to focus on the water conditions. Weekly water changes and a good bio-filter are essential. If there is gravel in the pond, mix it up every 8 months or so to prevent sludge and dirt from collecting on them. The author even suggests making your own bio filter if you know how to ensure the right quality and size for your pond.
The author also explains the nitrate cycle and how this is important to note in koi owners. He also describes what foods to feed koi and emphasizes that overfeeding koi will do more harm than good. Smaller pellets are good for the small sized koi and is increased as the fish grows larger. To further study Koi, view them under battery powered microscopes. Read more on this topic