4 Tips You Need to Start Rearing Koi Fish
If you’re new to keeping Koi fish as pets, don't fret. One thing about koi fish is that they are easy to rear. They will brighten up your pond, depending on your theme. Unlike goldfish, which you can rear in a tank, Koi fish love the outdoors, but a tank can still work if you don't have space for a pond. For more tips on the care of Koi fish, keep reading.
The Pond
Your seasonal pond should be up to half a meter deep. If you have a pond all year round, keep the depth at 1.5 meters. If you are wondering if there are any koi pond contractors near me, all you have to do is perform an internet search to find the right one.
Koi fish need to be in temperatures between 74 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit with a heated pond during winter. Your pond should also have the proper pH of not lower than six and not higher than nine. Crushed limestone can help you keep the perfect balance.
On top of this, Koi fish need the perfect balance between sunlight and shade. You also need a pump to supply the pond with oxygen, along with vegetation such as lily pads.
Their Companions
Koi fish thrive where there are minnows and killifish. However, for stocking mates, you can consider grass carp in a tank. The beauty of these fish is that they also prune your pond when vegetation becomes chaotic. Their close relatives, goldfish, are another excellent option. They come in handy for aesthetic purposes because they have a similar color as Koi. For non-fish options, you can allow frogs to hop into the pond.
Caring for Koi
Koi fish are omnivores, which enjoy plants, insects, and algae. Since they love zooplankton, put some water fleas in the pond. Their commercial feeds should be high in protein.
Like any other pet, you need to be on the lookout for diseases that can kill your Koi fish. The most common illness is Koi herpesvirus. Some of the symptoms include difficulty in breathing and sunken eyes. Your fish may also have red and white bruises around the gills. Unfortunately, Koi herpesvirus is contagious, and has no treatment.
To prevent infection, quarantining the affected fish is your best option. You can also ensure your supplier has the fish tested for herpesvirus before buying them. Koi fish are also susceptible to fish lice and ich.
Their Breeding Patterns
When breeding, you'll need breeding and spawning tanks. The most suitable time to breed Koi is when the weather is warm or in a heated tank. When choosing the breeding pair, ensure you have a male who is older than three years and a female from five to eight years old.
The breeding pair needs foods high in protein at least thrice a day. The females lay eggs, which are then fertilized by the males. Put the fertilized eggs in an incubation tank and wait for three to four days for them to hatch.
Are you ready to start keeping Koi fish? With these tips, you can do it like a pro. The most important things to remember are the pond measurements and temperatures. Grow some vegetation which the Koi can feed on, but keep their diet protein-high. You also need to stock mates like goldfish.