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April 19th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Koi fish is considered as one of the most colorful and beautiful fish that owners can have in their koi pool, but keeping them healthy will require at the very least the basic knowledge about outdoor koi pool and fish, and also a few necessary supplies for koi .

First, you got to have filtration system that will maintain and the take care of the water quality of your koi pool. There are two different kinds of filters, the biological filter and the mechanical filter. The filter’s function is to remove the pollutants, decreasing the diseases that are dangerous to your koi. The only way for the filtration system to work in processing the water is when the water has movement, so for this you need to have a pump, which is another factor that gives health to your koi pool. Even though you can have a waterfall or fountain in the pond to help in the water’s movement, they shouldn’t replace the pump completely, because they don’t have the strength to help with the filtration of the koi pool. The good thing about having a fountain in your koi pool is that it’ll give you feeling of tranquility, drowning those unwanted noise, stir the pond’s water, and give oxygen to the koi pool.

Other koi pool supplies, although they’re not needed everyday, should always be kept available if ever the need for it arises. The dechlorinator is a device used to renew the water level of your koi pool with tap water (but there’s a need for you to eliminate the harmful chemicals of the tap water before doing so). The nitrate and pH levels of the water should be checked always on a weekly basis using test kits that can be bought in local pet stores. Baking soda and pond salt can be added to the water to regulate its nitrate and pH levels when the test shows that chemical levels are off.

Food is the most important supplies for koi. Although they eat a wide selection of natural foods, you still need to keep a basic food source ready everytime. The Koi can eat out of their owner’s hand, so snacks and treats can also be offered to your koi.

You also need to keep an eye on those Koi predators, such as the kingfishers, herons, foxes, cats, raccoons and badgers. A good koi pool design can protect them. The water should be deep enough to prevent those heron attacks. Create overhangs on the side of the pond to prevent predators from reaching the water. For safety, you can also place the koi pool under a tree in order to cover the aerial view of the birds. Nets can also be placed completely over the koi pool, and this one will work in two ways: to protect your Koi from predators and prevent debris like leaves from falling into the water (which will mess up your pond if left unprotected).

Always keep in mind that your koi will take a little bit of effort on your part in taking care of them when setting up your pond and at the same time considering all of the supplies for koi that you’re going to need for it. But these are gorgeous and mesmerizing fish that are well worth your effort!

April 19th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Winter is coming, and this will be the first time your koi pool will go through such a cold temperature. Winter is the down period for your koi pond, because less events happen in this season. In making sure that your pets and koi pond survive through the weather, here are some steps that you need to take in your koi bed before winter comes.

First, clean up - Take your time in completely going over your koi pond (this can take about a weekend). Remove those unwanted bulk material inside and around it as well. Inside the koi pond, remove all those leaves, slits, and other materials from the bottom of it. If you have any plants or flowers that will not be able to survive the cold, remove them as well.

Around your koi pond, clean up those things that can be blown into it, because you will not be able to notice the debris until the winter’s end (this will then prevent those potentially harmful parasites and bacteria in the future).

Second, stop feeding - Keep in mind that your fish needs to stop feeding during the winter period. Feed your fish only once per day when the fall begins and temperatures reach around 55 degrees to 60 degrees. Completely stop the feeding once the temperature hits below the 50-degree mark (even though the temperature goes above this mark, refrain from feeding your fish). Most of them take at least 4 days for them to digest food completely when they’re healthy and temperature is above the 50-degree mark.

If you forget this vital step, you’d end up killing your fish! Don’t mistake it for hunger when your fish open their mouths to you, as it is only a learned reflex rather than a sign of hunger. Don’t worry about not feeding, because your fish will feed on something else besides the food that you provide them (especially if your koi pond has a great amount of natural plants). If you’re not feeding them and if ever they get hungry, they will feed on this.

Third, check up - Do a seasonal check up on the equipments that you have, from your filtration system to your array of preventable medications. Keep in mind that the majority of the koi ponds all throughout the world lie dormant during the winter time, you’d be able to less likely find the stuff that you’re going to need. Ensure that your emergency kit (including the nets, medications, bags, and water testing kits) is always ready and up to date.

Fourth, prepare for the cold - Make a preparation for the cold weather by investing in the items that you’d be needing during the summer time. It is known that the fish can withstand constant temperatures as low as 39 degrees for short periods of time (including those slightly lower than 39 degrees).

If you buy a heater, research first on what size you’d be needing in order to heat your koi pond during the winter rightly. Otherwise, ice will still form, causing danger imposed by the amounts of gas in the water, as it is trapped under the ice. In extreme cases, you can put an emergency tank inside of the koi pond.

Finally, turn off all water sources - Your heater will work harder to maintain the temperature to keep your fish alive in the cold. If your koi pond has those additional koi plot add-on features like waterfalls, streams or fountains that continuously move, turn them off during the winter,as these features will circulate water, which constantly bring new and cold water to your koi pond. If you switching these features off, it will make the standing water in your koi pond the only water that your heater will be focusing on.

April 19th, 2009 by KittyKitty

The Koi come in a wide variety of patterns and colors. The black koi are distinguished from the other varieties due to their coloring and pattern, and not much else. They can grow up to about 36 inches in length, that is why there’s also a need for them to be kept in large ponds like all of the other koi. It has the same lifespan as the others, around 25 to 35 years of age. They are seen regularly in outdoor ponds anywhere in the globe.

Types Of black koi variant:

There are many types of the black koi variant. The Kumonryu fish is the most popular of the species. It first appeared in the 1980’s. The word “Kumonryu” means “dragon fish” in Japanese. It has been coined as such due to its body is nostalgic of the bodies of dragons drawn in ancient paintings. Others think that these fish look like dragons rising up through the clouds. It can also change its color and pattern.

The Magoi fish is one of the first all black mutation that can grow very long. Seemingly black in color when viewed from above, their actual color is deep bronze. Because of their great possibilities in size, their blood is being reintroduced to other fish so as to hasten and maximize the growth potential of the others.

The Matsukawabake fish has areas or white on its body. They can change color, and because of the environmental effects and their diet, their color changes from a duller or brighter shade of color. The temperature can completely change their color, turning completely white or completely black. It will only return to its original color once there’s a change in temperature. The Karasu fish (meaning “crow” in Japanese) is another of those very old species. This fish is known by its black-colored body and fins. Others can also have an white or orange belly.

The wide array of colors of the black koi variant is one of the factors that makes them an attraction to people. What’s even more exciting is that you have the ability to own a fish that can amazingly change its color in an instant just like some of the species of the black koi variant can!

April 19th, 2009 by KittyKitty

If you like to have a healthy pet Koi, this means that you have to feed them with the right koi fish food that will keep them in good shape. For this, it should be good for you to know the nature of your fish when it comes to their diet.

Koi are omnivorous fish, eating both plants and meat. They have sharp appetites when the water temperature reaches 61 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer is when they are very active in terms of their appetites, this is why they should be fed with nutritious koi fish treat that will give them a good quality diet.

Your fish will feed on almost anything; from insects, worms, snails, to the foliage of underwater plants. Some would also feast on those acorn and grasses which they manage to feed upon by pulling themselves partly out of the pond’s water!

Winter is when their digestive system will slow down. In here, there’s no need for you to feed them with koi fish treat because they will nibble on the algae that can be found at the bottom of the pond (plus those other natural food). Once the temperature falls around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, any food that’s stored in their stomach will become rancid, making them sick.

In giving good and healthy koi fish treat to your fish, always keep in mind that they need to have the right combination of protein, fats, fiber, minerals and vitamins. You can feed them with pellet foods, which can be made to float on the top of the pond’s water so that they will come out to snatch it. You can also feed your fish with special treats like peas, lettuce and watermelons. Be careful though in feeding them with koi fish treat such as corn, beans and grapes, because they contain an outer casing, which can be improperly digested if swallowed by your fish. Be sure remove the outer casings first before feeding them. Other koi fish treat include prawns, bread, lettuce and fruits.

So as their owner, you should make sure that your fish are in good health and also free from injuries. And since they have great appetites, you need not put a lot of stress into how and how much they’re being fed. Feeding your fish with koi fish treat is when you can take the pleasure of your pet’s willingness to interact with you (and you can also feed them using your hand as well!). Remember also that a healthy diet can give your fish vivid colors, making them even more attractive to you and their other spectators!

April 19th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Summertime is known to be the best and most lively times that your koi pool can have. During this season, the temperatures are beautiful, which lets you enjoy your koi pond more. However, you should continue to maintain your koi pond and take care of it during this time. In koi care, remembering a few important things during the months of summer will ensure the beauty and liveliness of your koi pond.

Higher Temperature Levels Can Cause Less Oxygen:

During summer, the level of oxygen in your koi pond will go down. For this, necessary measures should be taken, especially if you are located in places where warm temperatures are dominant. An indicator that your pond does not have enough concentration of oxygen is when you see your fish hanging out towards the surface of the pond, as if they’re gasping for air. You can put add-ons in your koi pond like fountains and waterfalls to keep the oxygen flowing. Keep in mind that the more motion the water has, the more oxygen it has for your koi.

Look Out For Evaporation:

Heat can cause the water to evaporate quickly. For this, pay close attention to your koi pond’s water levels, then do the needed adjustments. Remove all of the chlorine from the water that you’re going to add.

Summertime Paves Way For Parasites:

The summer heat brings on those parasites and diseases, and as most of these parasites are invisible, you should watch your koi for those signs of illness. Symptoms like shivering, scratching, rubbing against objects or shaking is an indicator of an illness.

Observe your koi if they start to develop visible changes and spots on their body. They may also knock off their fins. If you do see these changes, contact your vet, local pet store or your Koi dealer immediately. Some parasites may cause only little harm, but diseases like the Koi herpes virus can cause serious problems to your koi, that’s why immediate treatment is advised.

Feeding Your koi With Treats:

To keep your koi healthy throughout the summertime, feed them with nutritious foods. In koi care, give them low-protein food at least one to three times everyday. If your koi seem to be still hungry after eating, slightly increase the feeding amount. Feeding your koi with small amounts of food will prevent the food spoiling. Remember that spoiled food can cause issues in water quality.

Your koi will only eat what’s necessary for them to survive, leaving the extra ones. Feeding your koi will also promote less oxygen content in the koi pond’s water, and this can be an issue during the summer months, because oxygen gets depleted in higher temperatures. This once can be solved by having your koi eat at cooler times of the day.

In koi care, summertime is a special time to feed your koi through your hand. Feeding them this way will help you to get to know your koi a little better, and they get to familiarize you as someone who takes good care of them. Also, you can get your kids involved in this activity, and surely this will be an unforgettable experience for them!

April 19th, 2009 by KittyKitty

The hobby of reproducing koi (also known as “Nishikigoi” in Japanese) is rapidly becoming popular in the United States. But only a few know where and how they came to be. The first Koi were produced by breeding the Asian and German carp. For years, they have been selectively bred, and then different kinds of color patterns began to show up. The earliest color patterns was recorded around the year 1805. To date, there are thousands of color variations of the Koi.

Popular colors of the pets include yellow, white, silver, black, blue, orange, green and red. There are endless possibilities of combination of patterns. Each come with their own names, and these names are based on their color and pattern. The favorite types may differ, depending on the location and country.

These fish are being raised for sale in various countries, such as Singapore, Japan, Israel, and in warmer states in the U.S. such as California and Nevada. The pets can be bought at many local pet stores. If they don’t have the stock readily available, they can be ordered. By ordering, the advantage of this is that the buyer will have more options, since they don’t have to pick from the stock on hand. On the other hand, the disadvantage of this is that the buyer won’t be able to pick the specific pets that they want to have.

Unlike most of the other fish out there, they will continually grow until they’ll reach the maximum size of their breed (no matter where they’re being placed in). The infant ones are in lengths of 3 inches, while the biggest pets can reach around 3 feet or more! Their most common size is around 2 feet long. As for their age, they have been known to live up to 30 years old (under the right conditions), the oldest of which have lived up to 233 years!

The Koi are omnivorous, feeding on both meat and plants. And this results in the versatility of their diet. Your pets will eat almost anything that you feed them, and it doesn’t matter if its good for them or not. In reproducing koi, the owner should be the ones to control what and how much they eat, as they have no ability to judge what’s good or not for their diet, and the amounts that they should be taking on a daily basis as well. The healthiest treats for your pets are the natural food, such as tadpoles and earthworms, and other treats like bread, lettuce, veggies and fruit.

Owners should take necessary precautions when feeding them with beans, corns and grapes, as these food contain an outer casing, which can’t be properly digested by the fish if eaten by them. The outer casings should be removed completely before feeding those to the pets.

The Koi are non-aggressive, capable of mingling with other fish like the goldfish and comet. The only thing here is that if they get to find smaller fish crossing their path, they will eat them immediately (they are fast eaters!). They don’t have teeth, so it’s okay to feed them out of their owners hand (which could serve as a great past time for their owners as well!). For this, reproducing koi is a truly a fun hobby to have.

April 19th, 2009 by KittyKitty

The Koi is considered to be one of the most popular fresh-water pond fish today, and they can be found gracing their way to the waters of millions of outdoor ponds throughout the world. They are well-loved for their variation in colors and patterns, as well as their long life (the oldest of which was recorded to have reached around 226 years!). In caring for koi, they are the perfect choice for pets to be taken care of in an outdoor pond.

These pets are domesticated types of carp (the word “Koi” comes from the Japanese word which means “carp”). They come in different patterns and colors, including black, yellow, red, orange, blue, silver and green. Outside elements (such as the environment where they live) and their diet affect the fish’s color. With this, you can see the amount of skill and patience it actually took the first Japanese breeders to produce such a magnificent fish!

These fish can mingle with other breeds of fish (as long as their size isn’t small enough to be eaten by the larger fish that are opportunistic predators). They tend to school together in smaller areas, but divide into smaller numbers in larger ones.

They can grow very long, so you’ll need, at the very least, 500 gallons of pond water in order to contain them. If you decide to put them in small ponds, just look at how big your fish can grow. If there’s overcrowding, change the size of the pond and make it bigger, or you can choose to give your larger fish away so that you can get smaller ones. Keep the number of fish with respect to the amount of water that the pond holds (you see, space is quite important for the health of your fish). They can be hard to replace with because they are expensive.

These fish live in cold water, doing well in temperatures between 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. These are amazing fish that live in colder temperatures, and they can be kept outside in the winter. In caring for koi, ensure that the pond is no less than 3 feet deep. As winter comes, they will begin hibernating. Their digestive system will slow down. The food stored in their stomach may turn rancid and make them sick, making it very important not to feed your fish in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pond can be soothing and relaxing when you get to hear its rippling water flows in your yard, but to make it complete, it should have a magnificent and ornamental fish like the Koi. Owners of the fish consider themselves as lucky to have this kind of pet that they take good care of, as it really touches their lives and gives them happiness!

April 18th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Spring is the time when your koi pond will literally come to life. From hibernating, the living things in your koi pond are ready to spring to life at the first signs of the hot weather. In koi watch, this is the best time to maintain your koi pond before your pet, plant, and other biological components in your koi pond will come back to live from their winter slumber. Changes can be seen as the days get hotter. Look for temperatures around 50 degrees, because this is the best time to maintain your pond.

The maintenance required for your koi pond will depend on what has happened during the winter season. A hard ones calls for a need for you to perform more changes, and this makes it a good idea to start as soon as you observe changes in the weather. Always keep in mind that maintenance in the spring should be completed on a yearly basis, and it doesn’t matter how mild or harsh the previous winter has been.

Check for the water quality of your koi pond. You’ll notice that your koi pond’s water is very clear when the seasons shift from winter to spring. Don’t let this one fool you, because there will be factors that will cause real problems once summertime will come if you don’t resolve these issues as soon as possible.

During the fall and winter seasons, leafs and other plant material may have found its way to the koi pond. Although the water seems clear, these materials have placed large amounts of nutrients in the water, causing rapid algae growth once the spring will arrive. Plus, large amount of organic material in the koi pond will start to undergo decomposition, which in turn reduces the oxygen in the water.

Now, since the water in your koi pond is really clear, this is the perfect opportunity to clear all of those unwanted slit and debris. And you can do this by:

1) Hiring a koi pond professional from your local pet store or dealer. These people have the right equipment needed to vacuum most of those slit and debris out of your pond. This could be an option that will cost you more money, but you are guaranteed that the majority of those problem-causing materials will be removed from your koi pond.

2) Using a fine mesh net to scoop out much of those debris as possible. Now, the only problem here is that most nets will only cause more slit in your koi pond rather than removing them from it. After you have removed those unwanted debris and slits, test out your water. The winter will cause changes in the pH levels of the pond. Now, at the beginning of the spring season, the pH level of the water should be 8. This can be attained by putting treated tap water (buffered slightly to be alkaline by your water company) into your koi pond.

Most of all, never forget to maintain and take care of your fish. Keep in mind that spring is a very weak time for your fish as they have not eaten for months and they have been living on a relatively low level of energy. This can cause your fish to be more prone to attacks by parasites, bacteria, fungi and viruses. In caring for koi, this would be a good time to take all of the necessary preventative measures for your fish and your koi pond.

You can add a wide array of treatment solutions to your koi pond to lessen the dangerous pests and materials. And once the weather heats up, another dose of such treatment solutions will serve as a protection for your fish as they redevelop their immune systems to protect themselves from diseases once the temperature rises up.

April 18th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Breeding koi is nowadays quickly becoming a very famous hobby among fish enthusiasts. The nature of this kind of hobby makes it almost essential in communicating with other people who breed and keep the koi as their pets. The network of enthusiasts will come in handy when you run into a problem and then your dealer, vet or local pet store is unavailable at the time being. This network can also provide you complete entertainment and fun. This is a place where you can discuss your hobby with others who are as interested in it as you!

A lot of Koi communities online are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and they’re free to use. Just go through the sign up process, then read, post stuff, and then respond to the posts of other members. Through this, you can share vital information to others in breeding koi, with which you can benefit from it too. Joining an online community is very easy (plus it’s truly rewarding too!). Here are the steps that you should follow:

Find a community that is active.Be careful not to join those old, outdated and unvisited fish communities. Look for the stats of the message boards on the main page. These include the number of posts uploaded for a specific day and month, the total number of users that are members, and the total number of members that are signed in currently in the message board as well.

Remember this: the larger the number, the better it is! If there’s a high amount of members online, this is a great opportunity for you to post and respond to those messages, and talk to other members right then and there.

After you find the community you like, make sure that you become a member of it. Some won’t require sign ups, which is a good idea if you have no plans of posting more than a couple of times. But if you plan to visit the board more often, it’s a good idea to have an “identity” by having your own member name and password. Once done, you can now create your member profile. Add and share the information about yourself that you want others to see.

As a member, you can now see various online board topics. These boards will divide different topics, such as breeding koi, allowing the users to find and discuss what interests them most. Topics can cover breeding koi for beginners, advanced topics about Koi keeping, fish behavior and the other health issues, etc.

After finding the board that suits you, you can now then read and post messages. Only post messages on the topic listed in order not to confuse others and prevent the deletion of your post. Follow the etiquette and procedures when posting your messages: such as never post in all caps, do not argue with others, spell out each word and don’t use catharsis (or abreactions), etc.

Lastly, lend a hand to others. The newbies, as well as the other Koi enthusiasts, will find your opinion quite helpful to them. Providing the knowledge you have about breeding koi, feeding, taking care of the fish, etc., will help others make their own ponds a better place for their fish.

April 18th, 2009 by KittyKitty

1st Season: Spring

Spring is the time when your koi pool really comes to life. The life in your koi pond has been in a hibernation during the previous winter season, and now at the first signs of a warm weather, they are ready to come to life. This season is the best time to start to take care and maintain your koi pond before the pond life (fish, plants, etc.) come back to live from their winter break. Your koi pond will start to change extremely as days gets warmer and warmer.

This season is a very weak time for your koi, because they have not eaten for months, which have given them a low energy level. For this, your koi is susceptible to attacks by parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses; and this makes it the best time to take all of the possible preventative measures and precautions. In koi pool, to reduce the amount of pests and materials that could cause illnesses, add a wide variety of treatment solutions.

Once the temperature gets hotter, give your koi pond another dosage of this treatment to so as to get your koi very well-protected as they are re-developing their immune systems (which will protect them from various kinds of diseases).

2nd Season: Fall

The fall brings a noticeable change to your koi pond, as this is the time when most of the plants will begin to change. During this time, move all of your plants that can’t withstand lower levels of temperatures inside your house (or put them in a green house). Focus also on the leaves, which has to be cleared too. This will give you a healthier and clearer koi pond. You can also purchase a pond cover too which will serve as an alternative for this.

3rd Season: Winter

This will be the first winter that your koi pond will experience, and this is the time when your koi pond will undergo a down period, as less events are happening in this season. There are necessary steps/precautions that you need to take before winter arrives, so as to ensure the survival of your koi pond as well as your koi. Feed your koi lesser during this time (to get tips on how often you should feed your koi, consult your local pet store).

Summertime is wherein you can invest for the things that you’re going to need to prepare for the coming winter. Your koi can withstand constant temperatures that falls around 39 degrees (plus those that are slightly lower than 39 degrees) for a minimal time only.

In buying a heater for your koi pond, make sure you research first on what size you’re going to need to sufficiently heat your koi pond during the winter, otherwise ice will still form, causing a very dangerous amount of gas in your pond’s water. You can have an emergency tank inside your koi pond for extreme events.

4th Season: Summer

Summer is a lively time for your koi pond. During this season, temperatures are beautiful and favorable, making you enjoy your koi pond more. But as beautiful as things are during this time, don’t forget to keep up your pond’s maintenance to keep your koi pond staying lively and beautiful.

During this time, the oxygen level in your koi pond decreases and proper steps should be taken, especially if you’re located in a place where temperatures stay on a high level most of the time. An indication that your koi pond needs oxygen is when you see and observe your koi hanging out towards the surface of the water, as if gasping for air.

The heat that the summer gives way to parasites and illnesses into your koi pond. Watch and observe your koi for signs of illness, as most of the parasites are invisible. Symptoms like your koi rubbing against objects, shaking, scratching, or shivering could indicate different types of illnesses, so always keep an eye on them.

In koi watch, you should watch out for illnesses such as KHV, which have a high mortality rate, and this needs immediate care and treatment. If you notice any changes with your koi, you can get in touch with your Koi dealer, local vet or pet store as soon as possible.