Koi Fish Pond
Keeping a Koi fish pond
A Koi pond is a body of still water that is kept solely for the purpose of growing Koi fish. Koi fish are Japanese carp fish. The two main characteristics of a Koi pond is that firstly, it should provide the kind of system that Koi fish need, and secondly, the water should be extremely clear so that one can enjoy the sight of these beautiful fish. The goldfish is a distinct cousin of the Koi fish. Koi fish live in lush outdoor ponds. The Koi pond has special needs because the Koi fish need extremely clean water. Clear water is no indication of the purity of water. In fact, your water may be so clear because it is too toxic even for algae to grow in!
A Koi pond is an ecosystem first and a recreational facility second. Aesthetics, efficiency, maintenance and filtration have to be in balance. Koi fish usually grow up to 25-36 inches. The growth of the fish is affected by the size of the pool, the aeration provided, and quality of water and of course the health of the fish. The Koi fish are very hardy fish in that they can withstand very low temperatures also. As long as the water is not frozen solid, Koi fish will survive. Koi ponds can have some goldfish in the same pond. Koi are peaceful fish. Chlorinated water is very dangerous for the Koi, and many younger fish die off because of this.
The Koi are community fish, so they should be kept in threes or more. A Koi pond should be about 500 gallons or more. The bigger the pond, the better it is for the Koi. Good depth is also a nice feature for the Koi pond. The Koi pond should have a net or covering on top so that there is no danger from predators. A bottom drain is good feature and the bottom of the pond should slope towards the drain. A protein skimmer will also help to keep the water free of waste and any other undesirable elements.
Biological filtration in combination with mechanical filtration is most suited for Koi ponds. The biological filtration system used in Koi ponds needs to run all the time. The beneficial bacteria that help to keep the water clean are very effective in Koi ponds. The wastes from fish is taken in by the filter and converted to pure water. A swimming pool filter is not suited for a Koi pond because the filtration system in a pool is not designed to filter out fish waste etc.
A picture of a kohaku Koi carp in a pond Copyright www.jjphoto.dk
It is best to carefully choose the pond plants that go into the Koi pond. Aquatic plants that grow thick in the water are a favorite among the Koi. This is because the fish enjoys nibbling away at these leaves. Cats, raccoons, turtles and even ducks will try to eat the Koi. Aquatic plants with their dense foliage and various stems provide enough hiding places for these fish.
Regular cleaning and maintenance are needed most by Koi ponds. As in any other fishpond, debris and waste collects at the bottom of the tank. This gets converted to poisonous material. Skimming helps if it is done after 5-10 minutes after feeding. Draining away 10-15 percent of the water and replacing this with fresh, treated water is a good idea. Mature Koi will spawn during the summer seasons, when the temperature gets a bit warm. The Koi fish usually leave their eggs attached to some plant surface. Established fish have a tendency to eat the eggs. So, these should be separated as soon as possible.
It is a good idea to join a Koi club as this will help you to create an admirable Koi pond. Koi are friendly fish in that they respond when someone taps at the side. Many of these fish will almost follow you from inside the water.
Another type of Koi carp "bekko" in a pond. Copyright www.jjphoto.dk
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