Feeding:
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. 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, asthe fish metabolism is slowed down and won't be able to
process the food.
Signs of healthy fish: Look for a
lively deposition, erect fins, bright colors, balanced swimming, and a good
appetite. 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.
Keep fish stress-free: Bymaintaining ph
level around 7.0, putting conditioned tap water, Adding vitamins or special
clay that will help your koi fight off any parasites or disease. Never feed koi
old fish food. Add non-iodized salt to water which will help their gills
function correctly. Aeration - make sure your pond/ aquarium has proper oxygen.
Never over-stock your koi. The increased levels of ammonia and nitrite will
stress out your fish. Try not to chase your fish around with a net. Make sure
there is shade in your pond. The harmful U. V. rays of the sun will stress out
your fish. Keep predators out of your pond, such as raccoons, herons etc.
Large
fish small fish: 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.
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.
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.
An exotic fish: Any fish
that originates from another country. Actually goldfish are exotic to every
country except China and Siberia.
Koi fish
breeding: When 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.
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.
How long do koi live?: The
oldest koi that was found was 226 years old!
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.
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.