Koi Fish Care in Ponds

 

Koi Fish Care in Ponds

   
        Got a pond? Think it’s perfect for koi? You might be right. Just remember that koi need not only a large area, but an area with enough depth as well. And there’s really no reason that if your pond is alredy dense with pond plants, you can’t make your koi feel right at home there.

        These fish, even though they are social animals, will do their best if the total population is kept small, with lots of room to roam. You’ve heard the phrase “a big fish in a little pond.” Well, these guys like to be big fish in a big pond  and the fewer their neighbors, the better.

        In fact, as you decide on how many koi your pond can hold, keep the following rule of thumb in mind: You shouldn’t stock more than one inch of fish for every square foot of pond surface area you have. The other crucial item every koi owner should know, especially new keepers, pertains to the ammonia level. Monitor your water  closely and keep a watchful eye on the amount of ammonia in your water.
                                                                                     

                                                                                    

Koi Fish Care in Ponds: Algae Alert

        Ah, algae! The potential nightmare of every pond owner. But it really doesn’t have to be. Controlling the buildup of algae in your pond is much easier than you think. You have two different approaches from which to choose. You can go the natural route or you can choose to control the algae through chemical means.

        Most pond owners use a combination of the two methods. Of course, because you’re trying to maintain the quality of your fish as well as of your plants, your ultimate goal is for a natural balance.

After all, your pond is a natural ecosystem in and of itself. In order to keep it running smoothly, several guidelines need to be maintained.

        First, when I talk of chemical control (or other koi parents talk about it), I’m referring to the use of algaecides. This is a class of chemicals that kills or at the very least inhibits – all types of algae to some degree. These chemicals normally include a variety of ingredients, not the least of which are simazine, chelated copper, and potassium permanganate.

        You don’t need to worry about the chelated copper. This doesn’t harm vascular plants. It may, however, inhibit the growth of hyacinths or of plants that get their nutrients straight from the water.

If you use too much of any product containing chelated copper, you may end up killing your fish unintentionally. Products with simazine will inhibit the growth of most water plants as well.

Koi Fish Care in Ponds: Dying Algae and Ammonia

        These chemicals are used by many of us as a preventive measure. It’s much better never to have algae at all than to have it grow and have to kill it. And I’m just not talking about the time and effort expending on eliminating the algae. There’s one more factor to take into consideration when killing off the algae: the increase in ammonia the dying algae create while at the same time depleting the oxygen.

        If you allow the algae to build up and then have a “massive” killing of it, you can set your pond up for disaster. While the algae is decomposing, ammonia is being released and the oxygen supply is shrinking. This may ultimately result in dead fish.

The Importance of Water Quality in Koi Fish Pond

      At this point, I don’t think I need to convince you that disease and water quality (or lack there of) go hand in hand. The following tests are among the most important you can run to help maintain your water quality in Koi fish pond. High-quality water will help prevent your koi from developing disease.

• Make sure that the level of nitrate in your pond is no more than 50 ppm (parts per million). 
• Make sure you have no ammonia and nitrite in your pond. 
• Avoid a population explosion in your pond. Make sure you have a sensible fish load with a desirable stocking density. Did you know that fish actually grow faster in a pond in which the stocking density is lower? They bodies are simply reacting to the larger areas of water. 
• The lower the stocking rate, the less stress on the fish. You’ve reduced the competition among the koi during their feeding period. 

The Quality of Water in Koi Fish Pond:

        If you understand the dire importance of water quality to your fish. You will know that many of their stress-related problems arise from exposure to a poor quality of water. But before I jump into that, let me explain just how stress can wreak havoc on your fish’s system. 

The Importance of a Good Filtration System in Koi Pond: 

 

        Stress can be reduced through a quality filtration system. By keeping the water circulating properly, you maintain a higher level of quality with less chance of debris or bacteria build up. The absence of bad bacteria floating around means your koi are less likely to develop disease.

        Don’t forget about the importance of diet on your fish’s stress level. I’ve already devoted an entire chapter to diet, especially the affect it has on the koi’s stress levels and its overall health. Whatever you do, don’t beat yourself up. It’s impossible to prevent all water-borne bacteria and other pathogens from sneaking into your koi pond. So when you find something, don’t feel guilty. In fact, most of the time you should feel pretty good about yourself for keeping the pond as bacteria-free as it is.

         The use of a UV sterilizer or clarifier helps to eliminate much of the bacteria, but your pond may still be harboring bacteria somewhere. After all, consider this fact: It’s possible for bacteria, viruses, fungus, and parasites to enter your pond’s environment through the air. You’re never going to provide your koi with a completely sterile environment or one which promises the elimination of all potential disease. We certainly don’t live in a utopia like that.

How Old are Koi Fish?

         Koi are a rare kind of fish. They’re almost considered mythological creatures in Japan. The facts and myths about these fish have been intertwined and embellished throughout the years. It’s difficult for even the best authorities on the subject to tell where history stops and fable begins.

         And it’s odd to see such a tradition grow around fish. Ask three separate authorities on the precise historical point at which the varied color of koi were first observed, and you’ll get three distinctly different answers. And for heaven’s sake, don’t even bother to ask them who first recorded the existence of koi – a fistfight is liable to break out.

        You are beginning to see the larger picture. Much of the history of the koi, especially the ancient history is shrouded in a vague fog, clouded by time, colored by folktales, and embellished by stories handed down from one generation to the next.

        It’s believed by at least some of the most respected koi experts that the fish are native to Persia. They were taken from their home country by various visitors stunned and infatuated by their beauty. That is how they began their journey around the world.

        From Persia, their travels can be directly traced to China and Japan. It’s believed that these beautiful fish originally began as common-looking fish. How common, you wonder? According to some experts, koi were originally a drab gray. They foraged in streams, sifting the bottom of the stream bed for food.

Rugged and hardy, Koi fish were an important source of food for many people. But beautiful, they were not!

How old should your Koi fish be when you buy it? 

        This is a never-ending debate among those who love koi: How old should your fish be when you buy it? Many experts and experienced hobbyists say you should only buy mature fish, and should never buy the young ones.

      They say that when you buy a young koi, you’re never quite sure about the eventual quality of the markings. As a Koi ages , sometimes its markings fade. Just as often, they say the markings may improve with age. Which way will that young fish go? Only time will tell.

        In choosing this gorgeous fish for your aquarium or pond, consider the ultimate health of the individual Koi. Check the fish for any signs of infectious or parasitic disease.

        For the most part, though, you’ll be looking for holes in the fins, missing scales, or scales which have grown back, but not very well as well as bent fin rays. You’ll also want to make sure the Koi you finally select are free from curvature of the spine and any problems with the eyes.

The Parts of Koi Fish Body

Koi Fish Eyes:

        The eyes of your koi are located just behind his nostrils. If you examine your fish closely, one of the first things you’ll see is that the fish lacks true eyelids. The covering over Koi fish eyes is really a layer of transparent skin.

        The lenses of its eyes are spherical and rigid. A koi focuses by moving the lens either forward of back within the eye itself.

Koi Fish Gills:

        The fish’s gills allow a fish to breathe underwater. In the koi, you’ll find them behind the eyes in something called the "branchial chambers."

      Covered by a flap of skin and bone known as the operculum, each set of Koi fish gills uses this flap to move water across the feathery organs. The gills contain tissue that possess rich networks of capillary – tiny blood vessels – designed especially for the purpose of gas exchange. Dissolved oxygen is taken from the water and carbon dioxide and ammonia are then released.

Koi Fish Scales:

       And like most fish, koi are endowed with scales. The body of this fish is covered with a host of tiny scales. However, you can find some members of the species where the opposite is true. They’re covered in a small number of larger scales. And don’t be surprised if you encounter an occasional koi with no scales at all. Yes, a few of them really do exist.

        If you were to look at a Koi fish scale under a microscope, the first feature you would notice would be a series of concentric rings. Believe it or not, these rings can help scientists determine the age of the fish – at least it provides them with a rough approximation.

        Very often, a koi’s scales overlap and actually project out of the skin at an angle. They’re also covered with a layer of mucus. This reduces friction as the fish swims. Scales also provide protection from infections – both bacterial and viral – because the mucus covering contains antibodies.

Lateral lines:

        If you examine your koi very closely, you’ll notice a series of very small pores along its sides.  Called lateral line, these pores run midline from its head to its tail.

        Believe it or not, these are another of your fishy friend’s organs of “hearing.” They detect low-frequency vibrations in the water, most notably those that might come from predators.

Koi Forums Online

Koi Forums Online 

         Koi fish keeping is quickly becoming a very popular hobby among fish keeper. Koi fish proves to be an interesting hobby, as it is ever changing. The nature of this hobby makes it almost imperative to communicate with others who have knowledge in Koi and Koi fish keeping. However, what happens if you run into a problem when yourKoi dealer just is not available to answer your questions? This is when a network of Koi enthusiasts would come in handy.

        This network can also provide sheer fun and entertainment. Who better to discuss your hobby with then others who find just as much enjoyment out of it as you do? No matter what the reason you find to join a Koi forum, you will find that you are glad you did. The majority of online Koi forums are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are typically free to use. All that is required of you is to go through a sign up process, and then begin reading, posting, and responding to other members posts.

        Even if you have never joined an online community forum before, you will find that it is extremely easy to do so, and the benefits of being a part of such a forum is rewarding. In just a few steps, you will be able to start talking with other Koi enthusiasts, potentially all over the world

Steps to join Koi Forums Online:

 

1) You must find an active forum. While there are literally thousands of Koi forums available online, the vast majority of them are old and outdated, and may not even be visited anymore. Most  message boards have statistics available right on their main page, you just have to look for it. Typical statistics include the number of posts for that day and month, the total number of users that are members, and the total number of members currently signed in to the board. The larger the number is generally better, especially when looking at the amount of members currently online. The higher amount online signals that you will not only be able to post and respond to messages, but you may potentially even be able to talk to other members in real time.

2) After you find a  good Koi forum with the amount of activity suits your needs, then you must become a member of this form. Some message boards do not require you to sign up to post messages. This option is a good idea if you do not plan on posting more then a couple of posts. However, if you plan on visiting the board more then that, then it would be a good idea to obtain a member name and password. This will be your identity. Once you sign up in Koi forum, you may be able to create a member profile. Only add information to this profile that you would want the general public to view.

3) Once you become a member, you can begin flowing though the various topic boards. Topic boards break different topics into separate divisions, allowing users to more easier find and discuss what interests them. Topics can range anywhere Koi keeping from beginners, advanced Koi keeping, all the way to specifics such as Koi behavior and health issues.

4) Once you find a sub-forum that suits your interests, you can read and post messages. Remember to only post messages on the topic listed to prevent any confusion and the possibility of your post being deleted. Also, always try to follow typical online typing etiquette when posting messages. Do not post in all caps, spell out each word instead of using abreactions, do not argue, etc.

5) Finally, help out! Other Koi enthusiasts or even people that are new to the hobby will find your opinion helpful and will welcome anything you have to say. Providing the knowledge you have may mean the difference between someone else’s pond crashing, or making it through an issue.

List of Koi Forums:

1. Koi Mag Forum: http://forum.koimag.co.uk/

2. Koi Forum : http://www.koi.com.my/cgi-bin/koiforum/gforum.cgi

3. Garden Pond Forum: http://www.gardenpondforum.com/

4. Koi Chat: http://www.koichat.com

5. Australia Koi Fish Forum: http://www.koi2day.com/forum/

Factors for Setting Up Your Koi Pond

        Here are some factors you should ponder about before you set up your Koi aquarium. These considerations can help you avoid most common errors and get you in aquarium keeping a hobby that you can live and be satisfied of.

1. Budget-space constraints 

 

How does your budget match up to the cost of the equipment you want? Can you build a big fish pond enough for your kois that are suitable in the space available in your home? You should consider the budget and space limits. Your space limits and your financial considerations compared to the new information you now have.

2. Budget

If you have money problems and if you really want to puruse the hobby, you can build a smaller pond first and buy cheaper Kois at first, and if you have enough money, upgrade your pond and kois.\

3. Space

After studying general information about the Koi fish, you should ponder on the size of the pond you need. Survey your home and determine a spot for your new fish pond. How much space you can allow for your fish pond including the extra paraphernalia? Take note of the space between the tank and the wall for adequate room for other equipment such as water filters, tubes and pumps.

4. Maintenance

Koi pond maintenance would involve your first task – research. It is very essential to learn a lot about the Koi fish. This will let you know what special considerations they will need, what equipment you will buy and how to set-up your fish pond. When you research about these things, you can establish how big they will get and in this manner you can figure out the size of the fish pond you will need to have your Koi happy and healthy. As well, this will provide you an opportunity to learn if the different types of fish care needs, size or behavior are too different; they will not be appropriate and suitable. 

5. Equipment
You should visit various pet stores near you and figure out what equipment are available and how much they cost. If you cannot find something that will help you for your pleasure, you can inquire about special orders. Make sure to ask for a price range or if possible a fixed price before you signs up for an order. When you have evaluated these factors, you can purchase the equipment and the Koi fish you want to keep. If you need to special order the equipment, you should do it immediately as it will take time for the order to arrive. Then, if everything is set, you are ready to pursue your hobby of koi keeping. Whether you just like to keep a couple of Koi fish, or if you want to venture into tropical fish, these factors will help you to start on the right track.

Colors and Patterns of Koi

Colors of Koi Fish:

        When you look a Koi fish carefully, you also notice  how intense the colors of the Koi fish are. You’ll also want to inspect the pattern. Obviously, the Koi's color should be bright. 

       According to koi experts, the koi's pattern should "tell a story." I've never discovered exactly what story these patterns should reveal, but I've always looked for patterns that align themselves with the standard descriptions as closely as possible.

       

 

        
        You’re probably wondering how judges decide this category. Oh, they have their ways! Let’s take the color red. If your fish has red and is in the show, the judges will take a good long look at it. It should be bright, for one thing like blood or a juicy ripe tomato.'

        And so it is with the color black. The fish should be as deep a black as possible. No mistaking any black spots with gray. Whites need to be a snowy clean white, not a dirty, drab gray. And the metallic sheen to you

koi must be clean and shining brightly.

Patterns of Koi Fish:

        When deciding on the patterns of Koi, this is where several meanings evolve depending on what variety of fish you’ve chosen. An azuma  lightning pattern was all the rage nearly 20 years ago. This made the Kohaku and the Sanke (which actually has three colors red, white and black) very popular.

        The number and shapes of those islands of color and pattern are important and are quite evident when it comes to buying koi. Meaning, you’ll feel it in pocket book! Along those same lines, you want the color of Koi to be distinct, no “bleeding” as koi keepers say. Red is definitely red and black is noticeably black. The colors’ “margins” as they are called, need to be distinct and obvious. You don’t want someone looking at your koi trying to decide if it has a red mark or an orange one.

Definite Markings of Koi:

        You also want a very clear line where one color ends and another begins. The last thing a judge wants to see is fading or bleeding from one color to the next. Small,indefinite markings or tiny dark specks are not viewed favorably.

        The balance or distribution of that color and the pattern is also important. While you’re looking at a koi, draw an imaginary line down the mid-line of it from above. Draw another imaginary line intersecting the first line roughly in its middle.

        These are the four distinct quadrants of your koi. Using this exercise, you will be able to visualize what I’m about to talk about a little easier. When assessing the distribution of color and of pattern of the Koi, there really are no strict mathematical formulas.

Koi Keeping

        Knowledge is power when it comes to Koi keeping. It is important to learn as much as you possibly can about the hobby before jumping in with both feet.

        It is important to learn the information yourself rather then relying on other sources. People such as your product dealer and pond builder will have limited knowledge, but should not be trusted for a reliable source, as they are selling products and may be bias. Plus, once you are at home with your Koi, your product dealer or pond builder may not be available to help you in the event of a problem.

        Since Koi keeping is a popular hobby, a large amount of Koi keeping information is available. Online sources feature quite a few articles and website containing useful information. Visit your local bookstore or library for books on the subject as well.

Making Koi Keeping Easy 

        Koi keeping is quickly becoming a very popular hobby in  United States. Koi are beautiful, vibrant fish that can literally light your day. Koi come in many colors, varieties, and kinds, so it is likely that everyone in the world can find at least one type of Koi that would suit their likes. While Koi may be a welcomed beauty to your pond, they also have an interesting history attached to them.

        In Chinese culture, Koi ponds are said to being good luck to their owners. Koi ponds are used as an overall plan to fulfill their lives. Other parts of the world consider Koi ponds as a form of relaxation and serenity. In the united states, more and more people seem to find Koi ponds to be fun more then anything else. No matter what the reason you find to have a Koi pond, they are sure to brighten your life.

        However, Koi keeping should not be taken lightly. Koi, like any other animal, require time and money to maintain. The majority of first time Koi owners fail because they get the idea that keeping Koi is easy in some way. Do not let this discourage you though, as doing your homework will greatly improve your chances of succeeding.

Understand Koi Keeping is More Then Just Keeping Fish  

        Now only will you be maintaining fish, but you will also have to maintain a proper habitat for them. Keeping your pond in good condition should be your number one priority. Once your pond starts developing problems, you will find that it will take more time and money then if you were attempting to prevent these problems from happening in the first place. You will find that your pond condition will directly effect the condition of your Koi.

 

        Koi overpopulation is one of the hardest problems to deal with when it comes Koi ponds. Once you have to many fish in your pond, severe problems can occur, and potentially cause death among your fish.

        There are a few ways to help prevent overpopulation. While you are never guaranteed that it will never happen to you, following a few simple steps will greatly reduce you chances.

Koi Keeping Forum: Join a Koi Community 

 

        Keeping Koi proves to be an interesting hobby, as it is ever changing. The nature of this hobby makes it almost imperative to communicate with others who have knowledge in Koi and Koi pond keeping. However, what happens if you run into a problem when your Koi dealer  just is not available to answer your questions? This is when a network of Koi enthusiasts would come in handy.

        When looking for a koi keeping forum or a community, be sure to check their statistics. While there are literally thousands of Koi keeping forums, only a few are actually active. Typically, statistics are available on their main page. Look for a koi keeping forum that not only has a large amount of active members, but also quite a few posts each day.

        Once you have found an active koi keeping forum, participate! Post new threats, and reply to others. You may even be able to help someone out of a bad situation!

Koi Care Mistakes to Avoid

This is a few of Koi care mistakes for Koi keepers to avoid:

• Never, ever lift the koi directly from the water into the air via a net. The resulting damage from this action is likely to injure the fish.
• Instead, tip them gently into a pan-shaped container that is already partially submerged into the water system. If the individual fish is too large and if the person handling it is skilled enough, then the fish may be lifted from the system by hand. But those are two big “ifs.” It’s always better to be safe than sorry. 
• While you have the Koi fish close to you, carefully and deliberately examine its flesh. Touch it. It should feel firm and its body should be symmetrical. And yes, the koi should even feel slightly slimy.
• You don’t want a fish that is either too dry or one that has too much mucus on its scales. Either of these conditions, by the way, could be caused by sub-standard water quality.

        

         So you’re watching the fish interact, but what exactly are you looking for? First, you need to know that koi are social creatures. If you’ve never owned fish before, you may find it difficult to believe. I know I did at first. But think about it: most fish swim in groups. You’re looking first for a social animal. If you’re drawn to one but it seems off by itself, a loner if you will, you might want to choose a different one.

 

Inside the Koi Pond

        Check out the fish’s surroundings. Steer your focus beyond the Koi Pond. The general environment should be neat and clean. In the water itself you don’t want to encounter any dead or dying fish.

        And while you’re scrutinizing the surroundings, you should watch out the type of food these koi are eating and should be particular with their feeding schedule.

Pattern Depends on Size of Koi Fish

        The actual pattern and hence how it gets judged is really dependent on the size of the Koi fish. The larger the Koi fish, the more you expect this pattern to be big and bold.

        While you may not want to take such great pains in choosing a koi up to the grand standards, it’s still good to know what makes a healthy, happy koi.  Of course, everything related to colors and patterns is important to different degrees, again depending on the classification of the fish. Body conformation is vital no matter what variety you choose.

        The final decision-maker in this process is, of course, you. If you’re happy with the coloratio, the pattern, the intensity of the color, and the overall pleasing appearance of the Koi fish, then don’t let anything stop you from making the choice of a healthy koi.

        Did you find one you like? Oh, it’s a fairly new addition? Well, it’ll need to go through the standard quarantine procedure before you can even begin to think about bringing it home. More than likely, the Koi breeder will allow you to place a down payment on the little tyke. Then all you need to do is wait for the completion of the quarantine period.

Platinum Ogon

        Once the Japanese started breeding Koi fish from carp mutations, they simply came in a few colors. As the popularity of koi fish grew and more and more people started breeding them over the years, koi fish began to come in greater color varieties and combination of patterns. Nowadays koi fish can be seen in many different colors including red, black, green, yellow and white.

       Being able to recognize the different kinds of koi fish is a lot easier when you’ve got a preliminary understanding of the several classifications that koi are grouped into. Each variety has certain standards but pattern diversity is acceptable in most varieties. There are a handful of extremely popular koi varieties. One popular variety is Kuhako koi. These koi are white with red markings. Another popular Koi variety is the Hirarimono or Ogon variety.

        The first section of the word “Hikari” means metallic. The second section of the word “Mono” means single color. These koi fish are all one color. Ogon koi are also very metallic in appearance. They are most commonly available and seen in yellow known as Yamabuki Ogon and in the colour white or silver which are generally known as Platinum Ogon. Whatever the colour or the variety, the coloration of Ogon koi should be the same hue from their heads to their tails and down to the tips of the fins. Large fins are desirable on the Ogon koi fish simply because they offset the plain body.

Platinum Ogon Koi

         Most  Platinum Ogon koi are bred with the Ginrin scales to make them appear even shinier. Ginrin scales are completely different from those that are seen on metallic koi. Instead of an overall gleam caused by the reflective pigment of the scales, Ginrin scales have a reflective sheen over all or part of their surface creating a glimmering effect that is very much like cut diamonds. To qualify as Ginrin, the koi fish should have more of these scales than it is possible to count as it swims past the observer. About 20 scales is the accepted minimum.

        White koi or Platinum Ogon are very unique and popular fish in the world of koi. Their bodies appear to shine with the same luster as precious metal. These unique and gorgeous koi fish first appeared back in 1963, probably from crossing Kigoi with the grayish-silver Nezu (short for the Japanese word for rat, nezumi) Ogon. These types of koi fish are very hardy and grow rapidly. They will also be popular in poorly filtered ponds because they stand out in the murky water. Other Ogon koi fish include the Nezu, Orenji and the Fuji koi fish.

        Another thing that really attracts pond owners to fill their ponds with koi fish is the large number of colors that koi fish come in. When viewed from the top, koi fish are able to show their best color. The majority of the fish’s pigment in on the top side of the fish. When koi fish are shown in events in Asia, they’re always shown in round pools and are always viewed from the top.