Aqua Pet Shop

If you are going to install a koi fish pond then first realize that you are going to need to be committed to its maintenance. It really does not make sense to build a beautiful water garden, stock it with lovely koi fish and then not look after it. It doesn’t matter how lovely your pond is, if the koi fish are not healthy, then it is just going to take away from the overall beauty of the fish pond.

Koi fish are a wonderful addition to your pond. They certainly are attractive but they are also delicate. Therefore if your choice is the Koi fish then make sure you learn about them so you can tend to them properly. You want the color of your fish to remain vibrant and intact, and you want them to be active in your pond. So you need to be prepared to do some work.

Keep it clean:
These fish demand a clean environment. If the water starts to become contaminated then before long you are going to have some sick or even dead fish. In order to prevent this it means you must inspect the overall condition of the water on a regular basis.

Water inspection:
Aside from being clean, you have to watch for other water issues as well. The PH level of the water is important. Ideally if possible stay away from concrete ponds because it affects the PH level. You also need to be diligent about things such as chlorine and ammonia buildup which can be harmful to the Koi. Also do not subject the Koi to sudden changes in water temperature; this is a risk you run when you change the water.

Koi’s like company:
You must have enough Koi for them to make a group. You want them to be in a happy environment. This means it must be as close to their natural habitat as possible.

Feed the Koi properly:
Koi fish are a part of the ornamental variety of carp, therefore their diets and nutritional needs are pretty much the same. A high fish protein diet is important and be sure that “fish” is at least in the top 2 ingredients of your koi food. During the summer months koi may need to be fed up to 8 times a day. The colder months require very little feeding, or even none at all if the temperature drops below 55 degrees. Treat your koi to delicious fruits and vegetables. They will enjoy cut up shrimp, and even earthworms.

Don’t over feed your Koi:
One of the easiest ways to contaminate your water is by overfeeding the fish. Unused food will fall to the bottom of the pond and will rot over time. If this has already occurred you will need to scrape or vacuum up the unused food.

Don’t hand the Koi unless it’s necessary:
They have a protective coating on them. If you don’t handle them properly or handle them too much you will damage that coating. Once you do this you are subjecting them to bacteria.

Regular Inspections:
Make it a habit when you do your water inspection that you look at the Koi closely to be sure that they are all in good health. If one were to be sick you would want to remove it quickly so it doesn’t contaminate the others. You must make every effort to determine why it is ill as well.

Maintaining a healthy environment for your koi fish is essential in keeping your fish disease free, playful, and colorful. Follow these suggestions and you’ll be sure to enjoy your koi fish pond for years to come.

Your Koi is a unique species of aquatic life. The Koi fish symbolizes friendship and love. It is a popular fish that developed long ago in the 1820s in Japan. They are sometimes known as Japanese Carp. There are several colors and varieties available in the Koi. This fish is often found in an outdoor pool for decorative purposes.

Koi fish can be subject to many different types of koi disease that can be harmful. It is important to inspect your tank regularly and be alert to the different signs and symptoms of these different diseases. Treatment for these koi diseases should be started as soon as a problem is recognized.

Cancer

If your Koi has any indication of a circular area around an open wound, it could be cancer. This type of Koi disease is indicated by a white color with the center being pink. The treatment for this Koi disease is removal of the cancer tissue.

Infection

An open wound that is discolored on your fish could indicate Koi disease infection. Removal of the dead skin surrounding the area is recommended to prevent further infection and to promote healing of the area. You can help your Koi by taking a piece of gauze and rubbing the area. This has to be done extremely gently. A soft toothbrush will work well also.

The Eye

A Koi with an eye disease is quite noticeable. A common Koi disease of the eye is called Popeye or exophthalmia. It is characterized by a protrusion of the eye from the eye socket. The cause of this likely stems from either tuberculosis or a mycobacterial infection.

This is encouraged secondary to an eye granuloma, an eye abscess, a choroid infection, a viral infection or trauma. An eye Koi disease can be difficult to resolve as the Koi’s eyes have a limited vascularity. The medications used to treat an eye disease in the Koi are not highly receptive to this area. Tuberculosis in a Koi fish can be transmitted to humans. Caution when dealing with this problem is highly recommended.

The Mouth

An ulcer or an abscess may be found in some Koi fish. Your Koi will have difficulty closing its mouths if he comes down with this affliction. This ulcer or abscess will most likely have come from a bacterial infection. The infection travels through the mouth region and inflames the ligaments of the Koi fish’s mouth.

Starting your Koi fish on an antibiotic as soon as possible is ideal. However, permanent damage to your Koi may already have taken place.

Enjoy your Koi fish and act upon the first sign of any illness to avoid further koi disease of your favourite pet. Always consult your local vet or koi expert if you are in doubt at all. It could be disastrous to leave any koi disease untreated.