Koi fish are renowned for gracing elaborate businesses, restaurant interiors, and beautifying backyard landscapes. Equally appealing surroundings normally accompany the visually appealing fish. Many people get into koi fish ownership; many still wonder if it’s possible to afford the fish considering their price. There are numerous koi for sale worldwide, but it’s good to learn a few things about the fish before getting into the purchase or business.
What exactly is the koi fish?
Unlike goldfish that people win at a carnival in a water bag, koi is a serious fish. Even though koi are a cousin fish to goldfish, they are high maintenance and high living fish needing lots of work. If you wish to rare a Koi fish, get ready to use lots of physical, mental, and financial effort.
The fish incorporates six various colors on the skin. Their cells usually incorporate yellow, red, blue, white, black, or metallic colors. To get other advanced colors like the red-orange pattern, you need to choose a fish with a white body and large cells concentrated in larger patches. A fish’s color cells stay at various depths on the skin with some staying close to the surface while other ones stay deeper within. The location of color cells determines how bright the color seems. With a brighter fish, you get a higher price tag. With over 120 Koi fish varieties, you can choose the ones that please you more.
How much does a koi fish cost?
If there is something that shocks many when it comes to koi fish is worth it. The fish is among the very expensive ones globally, currently going at around 2.2 million dollars. However, the price for the koi fish varies, depending on whether you wish to buy it from a breeder or pet store. Other things that make the price vary are the size and the lineage. All these can affect the price. The money you wish to spend when filing your pond is up to you.
How to set up a Koi pond/aquarium
Before buying Koi fish, you need to have a pond to keep the beautiful fish. Here are tips to help you in setting up one.
Koi grows faster and gets larger within no time. With that in mind, make sure you keep them in an outdoor pond measuring at least 3 feet deep with not less than 50 gallons of water. If you own young Koi, you can keep her in an indoor aquarium with not less than 29 gallons of water.
Make sure the aquarium stays in a quiet place and away from direct sun and drafts. It’s also advisable to use a hood to cover the aquarium to prevent evaporation, splashing, and also prevent the fish from leaping out.
When transferring the fish to the pond, float them within their bag for like 10 minutes to help them adjust to the differing water temperature. If introducing the fish to other fishes, quarantine the Koi in a separate aquarium for about 2 or 4 weeks to confirm their health status.
You can use a net to transfer him to make sure the old water never mixes with the new one on a moving day. Whether you put koi indoor or outdoor, never add over 3 koi at a time.
Filtration
Every aquarium needs a filtration process to make the fish stay in the aquarium bearable. When setting it up, you need to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure you get the right size for the koi habitat.
The filter needs to comfortably process the entire water I the tank 3 to four-time in an hour.
Also, make sure to add bacteria supplements to break down waste in the aquarium.
Heat & light in Koi pond
For outdoor Koi, you need to make sure they stay at the right temperature. Because of winter, make sure the pond is deep enough for the koi to hibernate under the ice. Koi cannot survive in solid ice.
Make sure the pond is partially shaded
If keeping him indoors, maintain a water temperature between 65 to 75 degrees. You need to also install ling if keeping them indoors to illuminate the habitat for around 8 to 12 hours.
How do I keep my koi healthy?
Koi is an expensive fish and you would not want your investment to go to waste. Here are tips to help you track their health and keep them fit.
If you notice your Koi is not feeding well, especially during winter, no need to worry since it’s normal. They usually stop feeding when the temperature falls below 40 degrees F. However, you need to seek a vet help if you notice the following symptoms:
- Infrequent swimming pattern
- Abdominal swelling
- Reduced appetite or thinness
- Discolored or inflamed fins or skin
- If fins are clamping to one side of his body
- If he is scraping the body on rocks, also known as flashing
Safety tips of the Koi fish
- Just like other aquatic animals, Koi fish can get illnesses from humans. For that, make sure you clean your hands before and after interacting with the aquarium.
- Keep them away from food or food prone areas like the kitchen
- Never release him into the wild as they may not adapt well to the new habitat
- Never use detergents or soap when cleaning the aquarium or its décor. Some of such things are toxic to aquarium jewelry.
The elegant swim of these pricey creatures creates a scenic beauty that depicts the vibrant colors of beauty. To ensure longevity and healthy life for your Koi and keep the colors glowing, use quality Koi food for health, color and growth. Besides, considering the value that comes with the fish, it’s obvious they need enough care. With the above information regarding the beautiful and elegant fish, you can now get into business and make those millions.
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