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Q: What is the recommended amount of fish to put in the pond?
Our rule of thumb for amount of fish is to have 1" of fish for every 1 cubic foot of pond surface area.
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Q: What do you do with fish in the winter?
Leave them in the pond though do make sure that there is something keeping a hole open in the ice and the water moving. Some of our customers have reported that the moving water from the stream is enough to keep a hole open in the ice. The reason there needs to be a hole in the ice is to provide oxygen and allow gasses from the dying plants to leave the pond.
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Q: How often should you feed the fish?
You can choose to not feed them at all because Koi are bottom feeders, and the more you feed them the less algae they will eat. Feeding koi is done only for entertainment reasons. Though if you do feed them, we recommend not feeding fish more than once a day. The fish have plenty of things to nibble on in the pond, and the more you feed the fish, the more waste they will produce. The only time you have to feed your koi is when a new pond is installed, because there is no algae for the fish to eat. Also you must feed your koi fish less in the wintertime (depending on your area).
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Q: When should you not feed the fish?
Don't feed the fish when the water is under 55 degrees because the fish metabolism is slowed down and won't be able to process the food.
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Q: How soon can I start putting fish in my pond?
3 or 4 days after the pond is filled and running.
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Q: How do I choose healthy fish?
Look for a lively deposition, erect fins, bright colors, balanced swimming, and a good appetite.
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Q: How do I avoid unhealthy fish?
Some signs that a fish is unhealthy are raised scales, a swollen abdomen, bulging eyes, ulcers, an overlarge head, lack of movement, loss of balance, damaged fins and scales, fungal growths, or the fish is scratching itself up against objects.
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Q: How do I transport my fish?
Put your fish in a "fish safe" bag with 1/3 of it filled with your pond water. Add one or two drops of Melafix and Stress Coat. Make sure the bag has plenty of air in it but DO NOT exhale in the bag. Store fish in cool place out of the sun.
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Q: How do I add new fish to my pond?
Float the bag with the fish inside of it in your pond for 15-20 minutes - this allows the water temperature in the bag to match that of the pond's water. Then, open the bag and add some of your pond water. Again, let the bag sit for 10 more minutes - this allows your fish to adjust to the ph in your pond. After that it is safe to release the fish into your pond.
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Q: Are Koi fish hardy?
Koi fish are not as hardy as the popular goldfish, but if your pond has good water quality and you keep your koi's stress level low, you shouldn't have a problem.
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Q: How do I keep my fish stress-free?
1. Make sure your ph level is around 7.0.
2. Make sure you condition your tap water with NOVA AQUA & AMQUEL.
3. Add vitamins or special clay to your pond. This will help your koi fight off any parasites or disease.
4. Never feed koi old fish food.
5. Add non-iodized salt to your pond. This will help their gills function correctly.
6. Aeration - make sure your pond has proper oxygen.
7. Never over-stock your koi. The increased levels of ammonia and nitrite will stress out your fish.
8. Try not to chase your fish around with a net.
9. Make sure there is shade in your pond. The harmful U. V. rays of the sun will stress out your fish.
10. Keep predators out of your pond, such as raccoons, herons etc.
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Q: What is a cold water fish?
Because pond fish in temperate areas do not require any extra heat, the term "cold water" comes from fish that do not come from a tropical environment.
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Q: Can large and small fish live together?
It all depends on the species of the fish. Koi and goldfish are docile fish. but will still swallow a small fry if they can. Predators like Bass and Pike will devour all other fish that can fit in their mouths.
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Q: Can pond fish see color?
Yes, koi and goldfish can see color. This is because their retina is generously equipped with cone cells, which are responsible for the ability to perceive colors.
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Q: Do fish hibernate?
Yes, koi and goldfish do go dormant in the winter time. Their metabolism automatically slows down when the temperature drops. It is suggested to not feed your pond fish while they are hibernating. Because of the almost dormant metabolism, the food will rot in your fish's intestine causing them to die.
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Q: What is an exotic fish?
Any fish that originates from another country. Actually goldfish are exotic to every country except China and Siberia.
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Q: Can I put tropical fish in my pond?
It all depends on what is considered a tropical fish and a temperate fish. Some tropical fish can be added to your pond if they are acclimated correctly. Most temperate fish need a pond deeper than 2 feet so the water temperature can be regulated. There are a few species that can live in a pond year round without any problems (though this depends on where you live).
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Q: Do Koi fish breed?
Yes, around 8-12 inches they will tend to breed. The first sign is that your female fish will become large with eggs and the males will start to franticly chase the females around. Koi breed once a year around spring time when the temperature changes. Be careful though, female koi can get badly hurt, or die, from the male koi bashing her on rocks. You should make sure you pond has lots of plants around for the female to lay her eggs in. You can also buy some spawning mats, these mats are layers of soft fibers used to prevent injury.
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Q: How many eggs do koi fish lay?
There are many factors that determines the amount of eggs a koi will produce. Diet or the fish's state of health can affect it. For a koi fish in good health and approximate figure is about 45,000 per pound of fish. Don't worry, the other koi fish will eat most of these eggs.
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Q: How long do koi live?
The oldest koi that was found was 226 years old!
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Q: Is it true that koi don't have a stomach?
Yes, koi do not have a standard stomach. They have an alimentary canal used to assimilate nutrients. This is one reason why one shouldn't over feed their fish.
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Q: How do I get my fish to eat out of my hands?
First you must get them to notice that you are the one feeding them. After they see you, take some steps back until the fish feel comfortable to eat. After some time your fish will begin to trust you and you will not have to walk so far away. Once they are at the point where you put your hand out and they all come up to the surface, start to lower your hand in the water with the food. Before you know it they will be eating right out of your hand.
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