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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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