The Maintenance and Care of Koi
Koi are one of the most popular freshwater pond fish and can be spotted in millions of outdoor ponds around the globe.
Their longevity and variety of colors are some of their most endearing traits.
The longest lived documented Koi died, at the ripe old age of 226 leaving his mark in the history books.
If you own an outside fishpond, Koi should be considered the perfect addition to your project and will definitely add to your structure.
The temperature of the water and the food that they ingest can affect the colour of the Koi.
The original Japanese breeders first bred them the 1820s, and developed these magnificent fish with a mixture of understanding, patience and skill.
Basically, Koi are the domesticated version of the common carp.
The word Koi in Japanese means "carp".
The range of colours are quite stunning, and they can be found in pigmentations such as silver, white, yellow, black, red orange and even blue or green.
Koi are social and will get along with other breeds of fish of similar size.
They will tend to school together in small ponds, but in the larger ponds, they split up into smaller groups.
But beware; don't put them with any fish that is small enough to be eaten.
These fish know when a good meal is in their presence and will take advantage of that fact.
Remember Koi enjoy sushi as much as you do.
A 500 gallon pool should be considered the minimum required as Koi can thrive and grow to be quite large fish.
If for some reason you cannot construct a 500-gallon pond and you may have to build a smaller one, pay attention to the size of your fish.
If the fish get to be too big for the size of a small pond, consider enlarging it or replace the pond entirely.
It may be better for both you and the fish if you give the larger away and replace them with smaller Koi.
Smaller Koi will be much happier in a diminutive pond.
Another thing that you should consider is to keep the number of fish relative to the amount of water in the pond.
The fish depend for their health and well being on a certain volume of liquid and the spaciousness of the area that the owner can provide.
Remember that these fish are much more expensive to their cousins, the goldfish and they're certainly not cheap to replace.
Another thing to consider is that these fish enjoy cold water so therefore try to keep the temperatures between 61 and 75° Fahrenheit.
Because these fish love colder water, they can be kept outside in the winter.
But be aware that the pond has to be at least 3 feet deep.
As it gets colder, the fish will enter winter hibernation.
Don't feed them during the winter months where the temperatures dip to less than 50° Fahrenheit.
Their stomachs will not digest properly at these lower temperatures and will spoil causing the fish to become ill.
The reason for this is that under 50°F their digestive tracts will almost come to a stop.
The site of the ponds in the backyard can be relaxing with an almost Zen like feel on the population around them.
Koi owners are extremely proud and consider themselves blessed that they are lucky enough to own these magnificent fish as it improves the quality of their lives and landscapes.
Their longevity and variety of colors are some of their most endearing traits.
The longest lived documented Koi died, at the ripe old age of 226 leaving his mark in the history books.
If you own an outside fishpond, Koi should be considered the perfect addition to your project and will definitely add to your structure.
The temperature of the water and the food that they ingest can affect the colour of the Koi.
The original Japanese breeders first bred them the 1820s, and developed these magnificent fish with a mixture of understanding, patience and skill.
Basically, Koi are the domesticated version of the common carp.
The word Koi in Japanese means "carp".
The range of colours are quite stunning, and they can be found in pigmentations such as silver, white, yellow, black, red orange and even blue or green.
Koi are social and will get along with other breeds of fish of similar size.
They will tend to school together in small ponds, but in the larger ponds, they split up into smaller groups.
But beware; don't put them with any fish that is small enough to be eaten.
These fish know when a good meal is in their presence and will take advantage of that fact.
Remember Koi enjoy sushi as much as you do.
A 500 gallon pool should be considered the minimum required as Koi can thrive and grow to be quite large fish.
If for some reason you cannot construct a 500-gallon pond and you may have to build a smaller one, pay attention to the size of your fish.
If the fish get to be too big for the size of a small pond, consider enlarging it or replace the pond entirely.
It may be better for both you and the fish if you give the larger away and replace them with smaller Koi.
Smaller Koi will be much happier in a diminutive pond.
Another thing that you should consider is to keep the number of fish relative to the amount of water in the pond.
The fish depend for their health and well being on a certain volume of liquid and the spaciousness of the area that the owner can provide.
Remember that these fish are much more expensive to their cousins, the goldfish and they're certainly not cheap to replace.
Another thing to consider is that these fish enjoy cold water so therefore try to keep the temperatures between 61 and 75° Fahrenheit.
Because these fish love colder water, they can be kept outside in the winter.
But be aware that the pond has to be at least 3 feet deep.
As it gets colder, the fish will enter winter hibernation.
Don't feed them during the winter months where the temperatures dip to less than 50° Fahrenheit.
Their stomachs will not digest properly at these lower temperatures and will spoil causing the fish to become ill.
The reason for this is that under 50°F their digestive tracts will almost come to a stop.
The site of the ponds in the backyard can be relaxing with an almost Zen like feel on the population around them.
Koi owners are extremely proud and consider themselves blessed that they are lucky enough to own these magnificent fish as it improves the quality of their lives and landscapes.
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