Accidental Koi Keeper

I always admired Koi couples swimming in a small pond at my workplace, but I never Imagined, I will nurture its offspring like my own!!!

 

Koi fish or Nishikigoi is Japanese breed, fresh water Amur Carp, which is basically kept in outdoor ponds for decorative purposes. In Japanese culture Koi fish Signifies good fortune, good luck and spiritual benefits (ktar.com). There are over 20 different types of Koi of different colours and patterns. 

Content:

• How to maintain the pond habitat suitable for Koi fish.

• When, where and how to look for eggs.

• Taking care of the eggs.

• Preparing for a fry tank.

• How to maintain fry.

• Food for fry.

• Fingerling Maintenance.

Pond cleaning and Maintenance:

Pond should be cleaned twice in a weak or just once if you are keeping a daily check like removing dead leaves, extra waste, debris, dead insects, etc. At least remove 20-30%of water weekly and add fresh water.

Keep your pond well aerated.

Check for water temperature and pH of water. For Koi Pond optimal pH should be 6.8-8.2 but try to maintain pH up to 7-7.5(in case of Koi). Another way to maintain pH is using Agricultural lime stone (Calcium carbonate) for long term pH buffer which comes in gravel or in rock form.

Water temperature should be 68-74 degree Fahrenheit (20-24 degree Celsius).

3 things which you need to check on regular basis are disease, algae growth and predators

Algae growth is not a major problem if it is in a regulated amount but if it is increasing, clean your pond, or add salt (only if you have salt resistant plants in your pond) in your pond.

It is not easy to see bacterial or parasitic attacks on fishes…but there are some ways by which you can say that your fish is stressed or ill. If Koi fish have red lines on its fins it shows that fish is under stress and this is because of poor water quality, poor nutrition. Another signs are: fish is not active, scratching itself to the surface, staying on its side, not joining other fishes.

Ponds are vulnerable to predators as it is basically outside your house especially at night times. Predators like cats, fish eating birds and prey. For this make your pond  3 feet deep and nearly 2 feet deep.  Provide places for fishes to hide, add water  plants in your pond too.

Eggs:

Koi reach maturity at 3,Once they reach maturity female’s belly appear more rounded because of eggs in her belly. Koi eggs are small, rounded, yellowish in colours attached to plant roots or on pond surfaces.

Egg collection and Fry Maintenance:

Keep Spawning net in the pond which will act as surface to lay eggs, and it will be more easier to collect Eggs, or you can separate plants from pond on which eggs have been laid. Koi fish tends to eat her Eggs and Fry so separate eggs once laid.

After 3 days eggs will hatch and fry will appear. They attach themselves to the side of the pond or tank and for 2-3 days these hatch-lings will feed on their yolk.

Proper and well maintained aerated tub, keep a regular check of water temperature and pH level, regular cleaning, proper water level should be checked daily.

Food for Koi Fry :

Fry need Powdery food unlike adult, you can also try some homemade food like egg yolk.A single boiled egg is enough for one slot to feed thrice a day. Boil one egg and take out the yellow part (yolk), mash it or grind finely with small amount of pond water. Then, pour the mixture in any sealed recycled polythene bag or sterilized injection for feeding purpose. Pour small drops at once and observe fry are feeding or not. But if you are feeding them eggs, keep a regular check of pond/tub.

Other options for Fry Food are:

1. Dried  and freeze blood worms
2. Dried and freeze tubifex worms
3. Dried and freeze Daphnia
4. Dried and freeze Brine shrimps

These foods are available in market and online which are in dried form and can be easily crushed and ready to feed your Fry.

Feeding Should be 3-4 times a day depending upon how much you're Fry is consuming.

Fingerling Maintenance:

By end of 4th week your fry are now Fingerling, it means they need bit of more food and more space.

Don't overcrowd your pond, if you are planning to keep all your fingerlings try to find new place for them.

Food for fingerlings can be same but now don't crush them. You can add tetra bits in your food list.

Stages of Development (From Week 1-Week 5)

I hope this article will be helpful. Along with this, I am sharing some links which will guide you for a better understanding in raising Koi fishes.

 

https://dengarden.com/landscaping/A-Guide-to-Maintaining-your-Fish-Pond-through-the-Seasons

https://koistory.com/blog/koi-pond-maintenance-through-the-seasons

 https://www.stillmanlandscape.com/how-to-tell-if-your-koi-are-stressed/

May your Koi bring fortune for you!!!