Koi are a type of ornamental carp fish that are kept in outdoor ponds or water gardens. They are often used in Japanese gardening as good luck charms, and they have been popular for hundreds of years. Koi fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, and each color has a name that describes the pattern on its body. The most common color pattern is called Nishikigoi (meaning brocaded carp) and is characterized by two dark bands that intersect on the body between the dorsal fin and caudal (tail) fin (called hikarimono). The two bands are usually one color on each side of the body, but they can be different colors if desired by breeders or hobbyists.
Installing, Stocking & Decorating Your Pond
Remember to install your tank in a shady and cool spot in the house/office. Your tank must be covered with a hood to keep them from jumping out.
While it may be tempting to decorate your koi pond with rocks and sculptures, it is important to remember that koi fish are notorious for digging their ponds. So no sharp objects or rocks should be placed in the water where they can hurt themselves while digging out their pond! If they injure themselves, they may develop infections, which can soon spread to other fish.
Remember to choose decor with rounded-off edges and non-toxic colors to decorate your koi pond. Additionally, regularly check if any pieces have chipped off and created sharp edges, or if any sharp objects have fallen into the pond, and remove them immediately.
Water Quality
Water quality is the number one factor that determines if the fish are merely surviving or thriving. Remember to always keep your pond clean and never overcrowd it. The most important part of maintaining water quality is filtration. Invest in a good filtration system that is able to process all the water in the tank about five times an hour. Indoor koi prefer temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
When introducing koi to a new pond, it is important to let them acclimate to their new surroundings. Dumping them straight in is a strict no-no. They must be quarantined in tanks that have a volume of around 50 gallons per three fish. Thereon, pond water must gradually be introduced to the holding water. Please note that this holding tank must still have adequate filtration.
Begin by adding tiny bits to the water until around half of it is pond water. Do this over the course of a few days to ensure there are no sudden changes to the carp’s environment.
Once this is all set, you may place your koi in plastic fish bags and let them float for at least thirty minutes in their new pond so they can acclimatize themselves to the ambient water temperature.
How to Feed Koi
After introducing them to their new pond, allow them to rest and adjust to their new environment for a day. On day two, add their food as per the feeding chart. Koi fish are omnivores, which means their diet is a combination of plants and small animals. In the wild, their ancestors ate larvae, algae, insects, seeds, crustaceans, and other vegetation. Today’s ornamental koi are fond of lettuce, shrimp, peas, rice, watermelon, and cereal.
Remember to never overfeed them as it may cause digestive problems as well as issues with the water quality. Once you’ve fed the carp, allow the feeding frenzy to go on for five minutes before you scoop off the excess food. Do not leave any leftovers in the pond as it may encourage algae growth.
Please note that if your fish do not eat even after three days, they are stressed, and your pond needs troubleshooting.
If you’re looking to install a koi pond in your residence or office, then look no further than Indoor Oceans Aquarium Service for all your koi-pond needs. Apart from designing and building ponds, we also offer optional regular maintenance services for ponds and customized saltwater aquariums. Contact us today to get a free quote!