Koi, or Nishikigoi, are quickly becoming popular in the United States. However, few know of their origins.
photo credit: zigiella

The first Koi ever were grown by breeding carp fish such as the Asian and German Carp. After years of selective breeding, distinct color mutations started showing up.

It is at 1805 that the first design of koi fish is registered. Today, there are actually a lot of of color variations available. The popular colors we can find today are white, silver, yellow, orange, red, black, blue and green. Combined with the designs available, the possibilities are virtually endless.

Every noticeable pattern and color have their own names, which are actually as unique as the color they are referring to. Yet the preferred design are diversified by people in varied countries.

It is already known that people most often produce Koi in wamer American nations, Japan and Singapore. Koi can be bought at most local pet stores.

People can order koi fish, if the stores do not have stock on hand Ordering Koi has its rewards and disadvantages. You have more selections if you order Koi, since you do not have to pick from the stock on hand, but the disfavor lies in the fact that you will not be able to pick specific Koi.
photo credit: sarniebill1

Koi, unlike most other fish, will continue to grow until they reach their breeds dictated size, no matter the environment that they are in. Baby Koi can be found as small as 3 inches. Jumbo Koi have even been know to reach lengths of three feet or more. The most common size found is around two feet in length.

Koi are omnivorous fish, which means they will eat both meat and plants. This means that they have very versatile diet. Koi will eat pretty much about that you throw in the pond with them, doesn’t matter if it is good for them or not.

As Koi do not know what is bad and good for them, so you need to control their diet. Another possible problem is over feeding them.Again, Koi do not know when to stop eating, and weight issues may occur from overfeeding none nutritional foods.

The safest foods for Koi are what they can find in their ponds naturally, such as earthworms, but it doesn’t hurt to feed Koi treats such as Lettuce, bread, fruit, and veggies.

You should pay special care to the particular foods such as corn, beans, and grapes, as they contain an outer shell, that cannot be properly digested if swallowed by Koi. If you must feed this type of foods to your Koi, always remember to completely remove the outer casings before giving it to your Koi.

Koi are none-aggressive fish. This means that they are suitable to live with other fish such as goldfish or comets. The only issue you may find is smaller, less able fish may suffer from lack of food, as Koi are quick eaters.

Koi are so mellow that they have even been known to be trained to eat out of their owners hand. Koi do not have teeth, so you will not get bit if you decide to attempt to feed your Koi out of your hand.

Koi have been known to live up to 30 years under the appropriate conditions, so you buy a Koi, you must consider this. The oldest Koi ever known to history is a Japabese Koi, who was 233 years old when he died.

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Think about how great it would be to add a pond to your garden, it would definitely enhance your garden. Imagine sitting in your garden admiring the sound and sight of a well stocked pond full of happy fish.
photo credit: [3/4 of zer0]

With a pond you will create a focal point in your garden that will be admired by all. Ponds are peaceful and serene whilst also being an enjoyable hobby.

You can go for a wild life pond where you will not put any fish in or you can opt for the full fish experience. What about the type of fish that you might want to keep. Some people just have Koi so there whole pond is all about Koi, which are a beautiful fish and are not as hard to keep as some would have us believe.

Goldfish are a worthy contenders for any pond, they come in many different forms from the fancy Oranda’s, Black Moors and Comets and there are many more, right down to the common goldfish. There are a lot to checkout.

That greenish coloured Tench that has change to a beautiful Gold fish with blue grey fins and darkish red eyes through years of breeding now named quite rightly the Golden Tench. The Tench is a great fish to consider for your pond.

What about the Golden Orfe these are a very lively fish that are fast swimmers and on occasion have been known to jump clear of the water. I like the orfe’s because they are so active.

Before you start to dig your garden over there are a lot of things that need to be thought about before you take the plunge into building a pond. A pond plan is what you need if you want to get the pond of your visions. The more information you can put in your plan the better, it will help you decide such things as whether your pond will have a water feature, how big you want your pond and what plants you want in your pond.

For your pond project to be the success that you want it to be, it is going to take proper research that will make up the blueprint of your pond which you will enjoy for so many years in the future.

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If you’re a new Koi pond owner, there are supplies you need to keep on hand to maintain your Koi pond properly. The list many seem daunting but the importance of the supplies cannot be dismissed. And by having the items on hand you will be prepared for any problem that may arise. Proper and quick action on any Koi pond problem will keep the pond beautiful and your Koi healthy.
photo credit: maybecrystal

Knowing the function of each item can help you understand why they are needed. And if you have a problem on a weekend or holiday you might have trouble getting supplies, so be prepared.

Koi pond supplies – Transporting

Bags- Have the proper bags on hand to transport Koi. Trash bags or regular plastic bags will not work and may injure your Koi. Unless you remembered to keep the bags you brought your koi home in originally, you will have to make a trip to your local pet store. When selecting transporting bags make sure to get the right size bags to hold your Koi. They need to comfortable hold the fish without crowding and hold enough water to easily cover the gills.

Rubber Bands- You will need quite a few rubber bands for each bag you buy. These rubber bands must be good quality. There will be a lot of pressure from the water on the rubber band to pop a weak rubber band in the middle of the transport.

Net- The net is not used to pull Koi out of water as it can injure the Koi but you will need one on hand. You use it to lead and direct the Koi to the place you want them. Then you use a bucket to remove them from the water. Make sure the net is big enough to lead the fish. Koi can get quite large as they mature.

Paint Bucket- a paint bucket is a better option for catching your Koi. It will not injure your Koi like a net can. Make sure that your bucket is the right size to hold your Koi.

Pond maintenance supplies

Dechlorinator- Tap water can contain chemicals that may harm your fish. When adding new water for any reason, you must add Dechlorinator to eliminate these chemicals.

Filters- a filter removes unwanted pollutants and maintains proper water quality. Without a filter, water quality issues can occur and will cause your fish to have health issues. The addition of a filter also helps to keep the pond cleaning thus cutting back on the amount of cleaning you do.

Pump- a pump is essential to the health of your pond. Moving water can also be from fountains, waterfalls and other water features, but these features con not be used place of a pump. Its important to make sure the pump is in good running condition.
Test Kits- You will need to have ammonia and nitrite test kits on hand at all times. By performing weekly water tests you will know you have the proper water quality for a healthy pond.

Pond Salt and Baking Soda- Pond salt and baking soda are used to regulate kH and Nitrate levels in the pond. They are used in the event that you find a discrepancy in pond readings. Pay close attention to the amounts you are suppose to add to your pond. These will depend on pond size and the issues you are currently having. If in doubt call a vet or pet store.

Koi food and snacks.

Always have Koi food and snacks on hand. Feeding Koi is another topic as there are many choices but keep food on hand that you have bought at a pet store. Vegetables and fruits will also make a nice snack that Koi will enjoy.

Koi add color and entertainment to the backyard pond. And with proper pond care Koi will thrive and be a wonderful addition to your oasis paradise you have created.

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The backyard koi pond offers relaxation and enjoyment to the backyard oasis.  But your Koi fish may occasionally have a medical issue or it may be that the pond will need major repair or moved and you may have to transport your fish. Moving your koi is easier on you and the Koi if you bag them when moving them.
photo credit: Naomi Ibuki

First, it is always a good idea to have all the equipment needed to transport your Koi on hand. You never know when it may be necessary to move you fish so be prepared. The equipment needed to bag and transport Koi is small, and will store easily when not in use.

If you kept the bags you brought your Koi home in originally, use those. If not you will have to make a trip to your local pet store to get proper bags for Koi transportation. Make sure to get the right size bags to hold your Koi. Note: Garbage bags do not work and may hurt your fish.

You will need quite a few good quality rubber bands for each bag you buy. There will be pressure on the rubber bands from the water so make sure you have high quality rubber bands and use several on the bag.

A paint bucket works well for catching your Koi.  Nets can hurt Koi where buckets will not. Just make sure that your bucket is large enough to hold your Koi. Nets work better for smaller Koi but they still may cause damage to the fish and they definitely cause the fish stress. If using a net lead and direct them into the place you want them to go.

Bagging your Koi for Transportation

First check the equipment to make sure its in good shape. Fill the bags with water to see if they are watertight and check the rubber bands to make sure they are strong. Have the net and bucket nearly. Tip: If you pond is large, you may want the help of your friends when bagging your Koi.

Use the net to guide the Koi into the bucket. Make sure that you checked the bags for leaks. Once you are sure that the bags will hold water, place the bag over the Koi from head to tail. Make sure there is enough water in the bag to completely cover the gills. Leave air room in the bag, this makes the bag lighter and easier to carry. Slip the rubber bands around the end of the bag and continue to double it until the bag is secure. Add one or two more rubber bands to ensure that the bag is securely sealed.
photo credit: OMFGmatt

Next place the bags horizontally in your transport container. Handle the bag carefully and make sure that you do not bend the fish when lifting it. Secure the bag in the transport container so that it will not move with bumps and turns. Also place a cover the fish so that as little heat and sun light can enter the bag as possible.

Treat the transport bag with care at all times. And when its time to return the fish to their pond, place the bag in the water and carefully undo the rubber bands. Let the top open slowly and the fish will wander back out into the pond.

Koi fish have been known to live for up to 30 years so take good care of them and they will be a part of your backyard oasis for years.

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Winter is a time of rest and hibernation in the Koi pond and the Koi pond will wake up at first signs of springtime with the return of warm weather. This is the time you will want to begin maintenance on your pond, before the pond becomes active.
photo credit: Mr.Thomas

This stage is easy to miss when the rest of the backyard is also waking and crying out for attention. But spring maintenance is very important in the Koi pond. Just remember when the temperatures are around 50 degrees its time to clean the pond and set it up for another year.

Since the Koi have been in hibernation, this is a time when they will be more susceptible to attacks from organisms such as bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. By cleaning the pool and adding treatment solutions you will be able greatly reduce the amount of disease. You will want to add another treatment once the temperature warms up to ensure that your Koi will be well protected while they gain energy and redevelop their immune systems.

Once the weather has warmed up the Koi should be ready for another healthy season in the pond.

The Koi pond is at its peak in the summer when the temperatures are beautiful and inviting. You are able to enjoy your pond more then during the cold winter months. Watching their antics and hand feeding them will offer much enjoyment to the backyard oasis. But remember, there is still maintenance that needs to be done to the pool to ensure the Koi stays healthy and the pond thrives and is beautiful.
photo credit: HousemanStan

The oxygen level in your pond decreases in the summer months so precautions should be taken. This is particularly important if you live in an area where temperatures stay high for the majority of the year. One sure sign of a problem is if you notice your Koi hanging out at the top of the water, and they seem to be gasping for air. This may be an indication that your pond does not have a high enough concentration of Oxygen.

Heat also brings on potential parasite and illness, which are not noticeable to the naked eye. You will need to watch your Koi for signs of illness. These signs could be that your fish are rubbing against objects, scratching, shaking, or shivering. Each symptom could indicate a different type of illness, so it is important to watch them closely.

If you notice such changes, contact your local vet, pet store, or Koi dealer as soon as possible. Some parasites will cause little damage, but some Koi illnesses such as KHV or Koi Herpes Virus have a high mortality rate and need treatment as soon as possible.

With proper pond maintenance and healthy plants and your Koi pond will thrive and you fish should stay healthy and entertaining through all the seasons of the year. Koi add much color and enjoyment to the backyard oasis and can live for up to 30 years. So checking on their health and keeping the pond clean is essential.

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