Tag Archives: Koi Pond

Fishing Tips

Taking Care of Baby Koi Fish

If you wish to breed koi fish you will need to get a spawning tank. It is advisable to make use of a spawning tank rather than let the process take place in the koi pond. To begin with, the koi pond may not be very clean. The size of the tank will depend on how many koi you wish to put in. As a beginner, it is always advisable to put in three or four fish. After all, you would want to have healthy baby koi fish to add to your collection.

The spawning tank must have clean, warm water in an environment conducive for the eggs to fertilize. Make sure to install a good filtration system and use spawning ropes or brushes so that the eggs can stick to them, making it easy to be transferred into the tank for baby koi fish. Between April and July are the best times for spawning. Make sure that the males are not more than two to three years old while the females are between three and five years old. Younger or older koi are most likely to give birth to inferior quality koi.

Once the spawning process is over it is essential to move the adult kois back to another tank to recuperate or back into the koi pond. Kois are notorious for feeding on their young, which is why you must not leave the spawning tank unattended for too long. The eggs hatch within a week, depending on the temperature of the pond. Warmer waters may help the eggs to hatch within four days. Thousands of eggs are produced in one spawn, although only some survive. Baby koi fish do not require to be fed for the first two days, after which they can be fed at short, regular intervals. Packaged fry food and liquids that are high in proteins need to be fed to baby koi fish for about four weeks.

The spawning tank must be kept clean so that any floating debris is not caught in the gills of baby koi fish. The baby koi must reach at least three inches in length before they can be introduced into the koi pond with their parents. During this period, make sure the food you put in the pond is small enough for them to eat otherwise they may starve. Koi fish are strong and sturdy fish, thanks to their ancestors, the carp. They are beautiful to watch, which is why they are popular amongst many hobbyists today.

Koi fish thrive in the mud ponds in the fertile valleys of Niigata, Japan, due to the rich mineral content in the mud ponds. These minerals add to the color and overall health of koi fish. Foods that contain bentonite clay that contains over 60 minerals will help your koi grow up healthy. Bentonite clay can be added directly to the pond water, as it will help stabilize the pH level of the water. Koi need to maintain a high protein diet when water temperatures reach 75° F, when their metabolism is at its peak. They can be fed two to three times a day during this period.

It is advisable not to compromise on the quality of food simply to save a few dollars. Cheap foods are not necessarily the right choice. Healthy food means fewer outbreaks of any illnesses. After all koi fish are costlier, and you wouldn’t want to ruin your proud collection overnight.
 

Nelson writes more about koi fish here: http://www.koifishinformationcenter.com/koi-fish-garden. He has raised, studied, bred and cared for hundreds of varieties of Koi. His twenty plus years of practical experience and research are available in his latest book,<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.koifishinformationcenter.com”>http://www.koifishinformationcenter.com”> Insider’s Secrets To Raising Healthy Koi</a>.

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How to Build a Koi Fish Pond

If you want to have a really attractive feature in your garden, then why not build a Koi fish pond? These beautiful fish make wonderful pets and are becoming one of the most popular pond fish to keep because they have such ornamental quality. Koi are part of the carp family and can grow quite large, so if you do want to keep a Koi fish pond then you need to have quite a lot of space so that you can have a big enough Koi fish pond to keep them happy and healthy. You don’t have to keep your Koi is a fish pond, some people also keep these beautiful fish in aquariums, but they can be harder to look after if you keep them in aquariums because of the lack of space.

When it comes to looking after your Koi fish pond, before you embark on looking after these fantastic creatures, you should always do some research before purchasing your fish. This is because, as with any fish Koi need special requirements in order to thrive and survive and so it is important that you know as much as you can about these fish before starting your fish pond. One of the most important aspects that you should consider when it comes to your Koi fish pond is the number of Koi fish you are planning to keep in your pond. This is because on average, two Koi fish should have at least 1000 gallons of water to swim around in, so if you want to be able to keep quite a few Koi fish then you will need to invest in a much larger pond. This is simply because Koi fish can grow so large and they need a lot of room to grow and if they are in a small environment then it could result in your fish fighting with each other. It also means that if you keep your Koi fish in a small pond which doesn’t have enough room for your fish to live then it will mean that you will find it difficult to maintain the fish pond.

If you are thinking about keeping a Koi fish pond, then something which you might want to consider investing in is a downloadable guide to Koi care and fish ponds, you can find these helpful guides on dozens of websites specialising in these fish and if you have your own Koi fish guide then you will be able to maintain the health of your fish and your pond much easier, it is a must for any Koi lover

If you would like more details on how to build a koi fish pond, then please go to this site that covers everything having to do with koi fish pond construction.

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    Koi Fish Information – Rainbow In a Pond!

    How about a live rainbow that shimmers right in front of your eyes, 24×7? Sounds beautiful, isn’t it? For those of you who know Koi fish, such a rainbow must be an old acquaintance! And for those who are just venturing into the Koi fish hobby, it will be a sight that comes in gratis with all the beauty, warmth and friendship that this ‘very social’ fish brings along.

    Koi is a domesticated, cold water fish that thrives very well in outdoor ponds. It is popular for its beauty and adaptability. It is originally a species of Carp that was first bred for colour mutations in ancient China. Koi, in its present form, owes its worldwide popularity to Japan. ‘Koi’ means Carp in Japanese. The fish that is known world over as ‘Koi’ is actually the brocaded carp or ‘nishikigoi’ in Japanese. The Japanese started breeding Koi for colour in early the 19th century. The hobby spread all over Japan in the early 1900s, after the fish was exhibited in the annual exposition in Tokyo. Eventually, the Koi journeyed to various parts of the world.

    Koi fish and Koi fish information is available in most pet stores. But if you want the best quality and information, with all the traits specific to the species, you should buy from a speciality store. There are different varieties of Koi, each having a specific colour pattern. However, the fish is still being actively bred for producing new colour patterns and for increasing the adaptability even further. Some hybrid varieties like the Ghost Koi and the Butterfly Koi have also been developed.
    Based on the colour patterns some Koi varieties are listed below.

    A glance at this list is enough to give you a peek into the colourful world of Koi:

    ?  Kohaku – White Koi with large red markings.
    ?  Taisho Shanshoku – Similar to the Kohaku but with an addition of small black markings.
    ?  Showa Shanshoku – Black Koi with red and white markings.
    ?  Tancho – It’s a term for any Koi with a solitary red patch on it.
    ?  Chagoi – A Koi with colours ranging from pale olive green to brown and bronze.
    ?  Asagi – A Koi that is light blue above and red (or sometimes pale yellow) below the lateral line and on the cheeks.
    ?  Utsurimono – A black Koi with a red, white or yellow markings.
    ?  Bekko – A Koi with a white, red or yellow skin and black markings on the top.
    ?  Goshiki – A dark Koi with red hi pattern.
    ?  Shusui – A koi with a sky blue or grey colour above the lateral line and red or orange below the lateral line and on cheeks.
    ?  Kinginrin – A koi with metallic scales.
    ?  Ogon – Metallic Koi of one colour only.
    ?  Ochiba – A light blue/grey koi with copper, bronze or yellow patterns.
    ?  Koromo – A Koi with Kohaku style pattern with black/blue edged scales only over the high pattern.
    ?  Hikari-moyomono – A koi with two metallic colours.

    Besides these, a Koi that can’t be put into a specific category is categorized as ‘Kawarimono’.

    Koi is very adaptable, but temperatures below 10 C are not very good for them. In an outdoor pond, it’s necessary to use protective measures in order to keep the predators away; as Koi’s bright colour results into being an attractive invitation.

    It’s an omnivorous fish that requires to be fed on carefully designed nutritious food. Feeding is also the time when your Koi will respond to your love and care by eating from your hand, once they recognize you as their regular feeder.

    So go ahead, and take a plunge into the rainbow world of Koi and add some colour for your pond to ponder!

     

    Nelson writes more about raising koi fish here: http://www.koifishinformationcenter.com. He has raised, studied, bred and cared for hundreds of varieties of Koi. Nelson has become a well respected source of information for breeders internationally. His twenty plus years of practical experience and research are available in his latest book,<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.koifishinformationcenter.com”>http://www.koifishinformationcenter.com”> Insider’s Secrets To Raising Healthy Koi: The Ultimate Guide</a>.

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    Koi – Japanese Fish of Love

    The carp that travelled to Japan from China, gained tremendously in colour and beauty: thanks to the Japanese breeders! And it is this ‘Brocaded carp’ that the world knows as Koi today. Literally ‘Koi’ means ‘carp’ (both common and ornamental species) in Japanese. The ornamental domesticated fish that we know as Koi is actually ‘nishikigoi’ in Japanese. Whatever the history and linguistics facts be, for us Koi is the beautiful, colourful, adaptable, domesticated pond fish. 

    Before we start talking in detail about the Koi fish keeping, let’s first look at some of the interesting benefits of having a Koi pond or say having a Koi in your pond (Koi co-exists well with other fish. So you can keep it with the ones you already have).

    **  It will add a spectrum of beauty to your garden environment.
    You will be able to establish a special bond with your Koi. They will feed from your hand once they gain confidence in you. Needless to say, this is the ultimate that one can expect from a pet. And a ‘rare ultimate’ when it comes to fish.

    **  If you are (or will be) a breeder, a Koi means thousands!
    Believe in Feng Shui? Koi is believed to bring good luck.
    Some symbolism…? Koi is considered to be a symbol of love and friendship in Japan.

    **  Koi is ‘elite’. Yes… keeping Koi is a status symbol; your garden’s style statement.

    Some other benefits that do not have any scientific evidence but have been talked about by Koi owners are:
    *  A Koi pond adds value to your property. If you are looking to sell yours, adding a Koi pond might increase the rates and the possibility of selling quickly.
    *  Spending some time by a Koi pond has been reported to be a great stress reliever.

    If you are venturing into the Koi hobby, it is worth noting that rearing Koi is not like having any other simple ornamental fish in an aquarium or a fish tank. Even if you do not want to be a breeder and are interested in keeping Koi solely for ornamental purpose, some research and preparation is a must. You will need a pond with proper size and systems in place. Seasonal changes would require some adjustments in order to keep Koi healthy. For example, feeding Koi requires to be ‘almost stopped’ in peak winters. All these aspects need to be taken care of and a fair degree of expertise is required at every step from selecting your Koi to creating Koi specific conditions.

    Also, Koi is an expensive affair. The fish itself will cost you some handsome bucks. And you can’t keep one. You will have to have a group of at least three of them; as experts recommend. You will also have to spend on building a pond or enlarging an existing one to suit the needs of Koi. Also, you will need to install proper purification systems and pumps, which is again a fairly big investment.

    Another important aspect to be considered is the safety of your Koi. This fish being extremely attractive is an easy attention seeker for the aerial predators. So you will need to grow trees in order to block their vision. Also, the depth of the pond will need to be increased not only as required by Koi but also as a safe guard against cranes and other such hunters, if they are a problem in your area. You might also need to use nets over the pond.

    Worried? Oh you shouldn’t. Efforts are going to be huge, but the result will be more so. After all you can’t have the roses’ bloom without the thorns!

     

    Nelson writes koi fish here: http://www.koifishinformationcenter.com/koi-japenese-fish. He has raised, studied, bred and cared for hundreds of varieties of Koi. His twenty plus years of practical experience and research are available in his latest book,<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.koifishinformationcenter.com”>http://www.koifishinformationcenter.com”> Insider’s Secrets To Raising Healthy Koi: The Ultimate Guide</a>.

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    Koi Carp Ponds – Essential Guide to Getting Started Part 2

    A great way to begin planning for Koi carp ponds is to view how others of have successfully designed and built their ponds. Searching online is the fastest and easiest way to get started, as there is an endless resource of photos and information to be found there. Seeing how others have done things can spark wide imagination and creative ideas into how you would like your Koi pond to look, and the potential of how it could enhance the overall impression of your garden landscape. Decorations of plans, stones, statues, wooden ornaments and fixtures can have a dramatic and pleasant impact on the dynamics of your Koi garden. However, in regard to including any plants in your pond, be sure to take into consideration that Koi will eat certain plants as well as dig into the soil, which could lead to a potential messing of the pond water thus leading to more frequent cleaning and maintenance. There are plants that are suited well for Koi carp ponds, and covering the plant soil with stones or large gravel can alleviate much of this potential problem. Another great way to include plants in your pond development and keep them safe from your Koi is to put them in a floating island pond planter. Floating islands are great for decorating your Koi pond with beautiful plant life while at the same time providing needed shade and protection from predators for your Koi fish. Again, professional advice is golden.

    When seeking the help of an expert, it is wise to do your research first. Get an understanding of the specific questions you should be asking as well as a general sense of the answers you should be getting. Talk to several specialists as apposed to only one or two. Visit your local pet stores to gain knowledge on Koi keeping, Koi supplies and pond equipment, along with construction and maintenance of Koi carp ponds. Get yourself familiar with why you need a Koi pond filter, a Koi pond pump and maybe an aerating device, and how these vital necessities work together to provide a natural, stable Koi fish environment while supplying healthy clean water for your Koi to live and thrive. Develop an awareness of the consistent routine work of Koi keeping and pond maintenance, including water pH level testing, pond and filter cleaning, Koi feeding and inspection of any parasites or diseases, along with any general garden maintenance such as weeding and algae removal.

    Protection from predators is a factor to take into consideration at the planning stage of Koi carp ponds. Koi supplies such as overhangs or pond net covers could prove invaluable in keeping your Koi fish safe from other hungry animals. Also, ensuring that the pond water has enough depth for the Koi to submerge out of sight from predators, as well as shading themselves from direct sunlight when needed, is a necessary element in the planning of your Koi pond.

    Budgeting for the costs of running and maintaining your pond should be well thought out before hand. Shop around by researching online, as well as visiting your local pet stores, for prices on all things necessary and get a clear idea of what Koi carp ponds entail in regards to buying Koi fish, Koi food, pond cleaning supplies, water testing and treatment supplies, pond filter media, the potential energy costs of running pond filters, pond pumps, fountains and waterfalls, along with the construction materials and tools required to do the job properly. Making a concise list sorted into categories with sub totals of each will allow you to develop a clearer idea of potential monthly and yearly running costs.

    Get your FREE 10 day Koi Carp Fish Care mini course, today. Michael C. Harris is a Koi fish specialist. Get more great tips on Koi carp ponds today. His successful Koi care secrets e-Book “Koi Fish School”, is an inspiring guide of easy follow techniques for every Koi fish enthusiast.

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