Are you thinking of building a koi fish pond? Keeping these magnificent fish in your garden can be great fun and it is not as difficult as you might think. With the right care koi can live for decades and some can become almost a meter long. Follow these tips to plan your pond properly so your koi will live long and happy life.
1 Depth is important
Depth of your pond is crucial. The minimum recommended depth is 4 feet, however it is much better to give your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your koi are protected from raccoons, cats and other animals who love a fish dinner. Deeper fish pond also helps to keep water cool in hot summer days
2 Make your pond as large as you can
Small ponds are not suitable for koi. Remember, with time koi can grow quite large and they will need a lot of room. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that with time you will probably want to add more fish to your pond. So it is better to create a large pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is a good size for a koi pond, bigger would be even better.
3 Use fish pond heater in colder months
Unlike tropical fish, koi don't suffer much from cold; however you should never let your pond freeze completely. Installing a proper pond heater will always keep an opening in the ice. Also keep in mind, that koi only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster
4 Plan some shade for your koi
When selecting a spot for your pond, make sure it is out of direct sunlight. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond are a good idea - not only they add beauty to the overall design, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond under trees. Cleaning a fish pond of fallen leaves is no fun.
5 Plan to install a bird net
There are many birds of prey that would love to steal your koi. Don't give them the opportunity; plan your pond location so it is possible to cover it with a net.
6 Keep insecticides away from your pond
When landscaping your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides near the water. Even a small amount of common garden poison can kill your beautiful fish.
7 Get proper equipment for your pond
Several accessories are absolutely essential for a healthy koi pond. Ideally you will have to invest into a water pump, filtration system, water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is still, your fish might get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filtration systems are expensive, so as an alternative you can make your own homemade filters.
Building A Koi Pond
Ponds built for koi should be close to three feet or deeper to allow these larger fish enough space. In Japan, breeding koi has occupied a position between hobby and art form for more than two centuries A koi pond is different from a water garden because koi limit the amount of plant life available to be grown. Koi do not hibernate and even though they can live through the cold months in the Pacific Northwest, I try to make their winter more comfortable. Koi is a drum shaped Japanese fish which can make your garden pond come alive with its vibrant colors and playful behavior. If you are keeping koi then a smaller upper pool or plant protectors will be needed to keep them from eating the Anacharis. The rock and gravel Koi pond technology has been revolutionized with the Back Flushable Waterfall Filtration systems. Most modern Koi are considered special if they reach 1 meter in length, and average age from 40 to 60years. Hybrid Koi Pond Kits that will reshape the pond and waterfall construction industry.
Koi Carp
National interest for Koi in Japan increased tremendously when Emperor Hirohito was presented Koi for the Imperial Palace moat in 1914. Koi are omnivorous so they need both an amount of protein and carbohydrates in their diet. Koi come in many colors, varieties, and kinds, so it is likely that everyone in the world can find at least one type of Koi that would suit their likes. Scientists in Japan have developed a koi robot that swishes around in water just like the real, fishy thing. Koi are beautiful members of the carp family. Keeping Koi carp within a pond environment is a hobby area all of own but one worth including if you have the space and time to maintain one. Many people in Japan recognize the term Nishikigoi but may not be familiar with the term Koi. The majority of first time Koi owners fail because they get the idea that keeping Koi is easy in some way. Koi have been known to live for up to 200 years at a time, but generally the average lifespan of a healthy Koi is about 30 years. In Chinese culture, Koi ponds are said to bring good luck to their owners. Koi carp is an ornamental mutation of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), native from Asia, especially China and Japan.
Koi Pictures
Koi fish are claimed to have reached 2 meters (6 feet) in length, and the oldest to have reached the age of 230 years, passed down from generation to generation. My focus is on how to keep Koi fish happy and healthy. Some koi and goldfish foods are packed with inexpensive fillers that add no true nutritional value. These magnificent and often expensive fish have inspired a fanatical following, with collectors prepared to devote a lot of time and resources to creating a flourishing Koi pond. Part of it is that goldfish have a higher height to length ratio than koi. The pond pump must be the most reliable piece of koi keeping equipment. If it is necessary to handle koi, they should be netted with soft hand nets and lifted with wet hands. Most koi start out one color without whiskers, the colors will form by six to eight weeks, whiskers will follow. The markings and patterns of koi are their most important feature.