My fish
A practical guide to introducing koi in your pond
Before giving you our tips and tricks for introducing a koi into your garden pond, here are a few reasons why you might want to adopt one:
- Koi carp are an integral part of the ecosystem, just like aquatic plants.
- These ornamental fish contribute to the life and balance of your pond.
- Koi are aesthetically magnificent, thanks to their size and vibrant colours. If you own one, your pond will be the envy of many, as they are so captivating.
- You can tame these fish because they are very sociable and friendly. They adapt well with other species. They are a source of escape for the whole family,valuable in teachings. By observing them daily, you will learn a lot! An educational and family aspect.
- They are also usefdul as they get rid of unwanted insects such as mosquitoes and their excrement can be used as fertiliser for your plants.
Are you convinced? Then take a moment to consider our various tips for introducing koi into your pond, so they can always look their best!
Check your water quality frequently
To keep your fish healthy, it’s important to regularly monitor your water quality and measure its parameters. This way, you can avoid any risk of disease.
To achieve this, we recommend changing at least 10% of your pond water every month. This will prevent the accumulation of toxins which could affect the well-being of your fish. Perfectly balanced and oxygenated water, whose quality remains as stable as possible throughout the year, is the rule to follow.
Measuring water is monitoring it! Therefore, have your water tested. Then, readjust the parameters identified during your test to maintain the proper balance of your water.
It’s best to repeat the analysis frequently, at least twice a month, to be more preventive rather than reactive. We don’t necessarily always realise, right away, that our fish are getting sick, because they initially appear to be in good shape.
The ideal temperature for koi.
In winter, even if your garden pond freezes, your ornamental fish will be able to withstand the coldest weather. When temperatures drop below zero, your koi will go into hibernation as they constantly adapt to the water around them.
However, sudden changes in air temperature can cause stress in your fish. So to help them grow serenely, we recommend that the temperature change is gradual.
A deep enough pond
To successfully maintain the beauty and health of your ornamental fish, you need to think about the design of your pond. It needs to be deep enough and large enough for the number of fish you want to keep. Below are 8 points to bear in mind if you want to create a garden pond for koi.
1) Choosing the right filtration.
To help you keep your koi in good health, you have a wide choice of filters at your disposal. However, you should choose a filter that will act on both the bottom and the surface of your garden pond. It’s essential that your choice of filter depends on the number of cubic metres in your pond. The aim is for your filtration system to eliminate organic materials such as waste or plant residues in order to avoid an overdose of ammonia and nitrites.
2) A varied, seasonal diet.
The food you feed your koi will have a direct impact on their growth, health and longevity. By opting for a quality food, rich in animal and plant proteins, you will discover fantastic effects on their colour, growth and well-being. As koi carp are quite friendly, you can even feed them directly from your hand. There’s no better way to tame them than by giving them a treat!
3) A complete diet.
There is no magic formula. A complete diet is necessary for good development: vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates. However, food also changes with the seasons. In winter, opt for a low-protein food. In summer, the opposite is true. You need to increase the protein content. Koi are fast-growing fish. Ideally, its diet should consist of 30 to 40% protein, 20% carbohydrates (cereals), 9% plants and 1% minerals.
4) Food linked to water temperature.
Food consumption depends on water temperature. Below 15°C, the protein content is reduced. Below 5°C, we stop feeding the fish, as their metabolism slows considerably and they go into hibernation.
5) Feed them reasonably.
Be careful how much you feed them, because they are voracious eaters! It’s best to feed them small quantities several times a day. This is to avoid force-feeding them and making them sick, but also because the food that isn’t absorbed will pollute the water in your pond with ammonia, creating an imbalance. A good indicator is as follows: if there is still food floating on the surface after 5 minutes, you have fed them too much. So think about adjusting your ration.
6) Don’t overcrowd your body of water.
This point has already been covered in one of our articles. Just remember that you need to be careful about the number of fish you introduce into your pond.
7) Keep your koi in a suitable pond.
A large pond is recommended for these ornamental fish, as they need plenty of room to swim. Especially as koi can grow significantly (up to 1m for the most impressive). On the other hand, if there are too many of them, there’s a risk of causing disease or imbalance in your water (harmful toxins).
8) Beware of pond predators.
Whether you live in the countryside or in an urban area, your koi carp can be threatened by various predators. As they are large and have flamboyant colours, they are easy prey for animals such as cats, herons, etc. If you don’t anticipate this possibility, they could be injured and develop infections. A net on the surface of the pond or a perimeter protection is recommended to avoid any unfortunate attacks.
What to remember?
These tips are the keys to successfully welcoming koi carp into your pond. Only if you follow these steps will you be able to admire their magnificent colours, observe their life rhythms and better understand their habits. With a little patience with this sociable fish, you’ll even be able to stroke it and feed it by hand. Makes you want to take the plunge, doesn’t it?
