Clik Seek Articles

With this Koi manual "Koi Fish For Beginners" you can get started in this wonderful hobby the right way…

It’s perfect for the beginner, although the truth is most "experts" don’t know half of what’s covered in this easy to read, step-by-step, comprehensive manual.
Read more…

by (matt)

When you begin setting up a koi pond in your garden, it will require a bit of preparation. The first thing you will want to do, is to choose the location where your pond will be. You will want to make absolutely certain that this space is large enough before beginning.

You will certainly want to have a pump in your pond, in order to ensure water circulation. Make sure that you have an electrical source available, before beginning the assembly of your pond.

Many individuals prefer to pour their own pond out of concrete, and then waterproof it themselves. There are also pre-formed ponds available. These come in many different shapes and sizes, and are quite simple to install. Be sure that the water in your pond will be at least four feet deep. This will keep your fish safe and healthy. You may consider fencing in this pond if you have small children.

It is important to know that any small amount of chemicals that come in contact with your koi, may be fatal.

It is important to install your pond in a location which will be free from any chemical contact.

If you’d like the easiest way to koi pond construction you may want to consider purchasing one of the many available koi pond kits. Not only are koi pond kits easy to install they are relatively inexpensive too.

Koi do not take very kindly to some plants. This presents a problem for many people. Plants look beautiful in a decorative pond. The fact is that koi will destroy many of these plants. One that seems to work well as lilies. This will offer your fish is shady area and protection from predators.

Koi ponds are an excellent way to beautify your yard. This will make a lovely central location to visit in your garden. You will likely find setting up a koi pond in your garden to be a very enjoyable experience. You are certain to find pleasure in it for many years to come.

More Koi Fish Keeping Articles

by Eva the Weaver

When water in a Koi pond is clear that does not mean that this water is also clean. Several toxins that can be extremely harmful to the Koi cannot be detected when looking at it. Nitrite and ammonia are two toxins that can build up in the water of every Koi pond, regardless of how clear it appears to be. If you want water that is good for your Koi, than it is absolutely essential to install a Koi filter. And of course you want what is best for the Koi. When Nitrite and ammonia build up in the pound water the result can be very disastrous. These toxic substances build up in the water due to solid organic Koi waste (feces) and urine, along with dissolved waste in the form of ammonia excreted through the Koi gills. The production of these substances never stops. The pollution is quite constant and will go on for as long as there are Koi in the pond. Koi ponds do not have the current and the water volume of natural environments in the wild.

A biological Koi filter is essential to keep these toxins at a level healthy to Koi.

Koi pond filters operate in more than just one way. Of course it is important that solid organic waste substances needs to be removed from the pond as soon as possible, but there is still some manual doing involved. Gravity is very helpful too as it helps moving the pond water with the waste towards the settlement chambers, separating the waste from the water. The water flow slows down considerably because of these settlement chambers. This mechanical stage of the filtration process is very essential, but it should not be overlooked that organic waste does not only decompose when it stays in the water. The same thing happens when it stays in the filter.

The manual need here is to remove that waste from the filter in a timely manner. It is necessary to clean both the water and the Koi filter if you want the Koi to thrive.

The next stage is the one where bacteria become involved. Toxins can be transformed to compounds that are not nearly as harmful. This stage is called the biological stage of the process of a Koi pond filter. Because there are two bacteria types involved the professional will talk about two sub stages. Ammonia can be reduced to a less toxic product called nitrite and the bacteria type involved in this process is Nitrosomonas. Than, the nitrite needs to be transformed to nitrate and the Nitrobacter bacteria takes up that responsibility. These bacteria need oxygen so they are aerobic bacteria. If there is too much sediment in the Koi filter that stays there, than the oxygen levels get exhausted. Only healthy bacteria do their job right so it is important that you keep the bacteria healthy so you can keep the Koi healthy. That is one important reason why you should never use top water to clean the filter. The chlorine in the tap water will kill the very useful bacteria.

Bacteria like these live on a surface. The filter has to have an inside surface that qualifies for that. These surfaces can be made of matting, gravel, Canterbury spar, foam, and hair rollers. Keep in mind that these bacteria do not mature overnight. It takes a considerable amount of time, even months. The purchase of bacteria cultures is very helpful. You can let them join your filtration system.

Sediment cannot stay in the filter. It needs to be removed. Make sure you install a Koi filter that lets you remove the sediment easily. Filter chambers with an extra bottom drain are perfect for the job. Net bags are also a possible solution for easy access. All you need to do than is take out the net bag.

Koi pond filters are not a luxury but a necessity. Stability is the key to a healthy fish population.

by Icrontic.com

The national fish of Japan is the Nishikigoi or koi as we know it. Many years ago, farmers in Yamakoshi had their attention drawn to a red carp in their ponds. It was randomly swimming among the black carp that they used in their regular diets of vegetables and rice. Koi fish colors consisted of black and black until that point.

Selective breeding began. The breeders throughout Japan have managed to develop over 100 varieties of Nishikigoi that we have available today. Nishikigoi can be housed in aquariums of ponds and gardens. They range in size from a few inches to three feet or more. They are hearty fish that survive in many stressful settings as well as the comfort of a well kept pond.

These fish are bred all over Japan and are a big product of exporting throughout the world. Their popularity is continuously increasing and their mystique is not overlooked.

The fish are named in Japanese and will be descriptive of their traits and Koi colors. They are works of art that have survived through the ages under the careful breeding practice of the Japanese breeders.

Perhaps the most popular of koi fish colors are red and white. These are Kohaku. They have exquisite body conformation and have bright red (beni) set in various designs on a snow white body. Color is not the only consideration when choosing the koi for your ponds. While the fish may have brilliant coloring and patterning, if the body conformation is substandard, you do not have a good fish. Poor conformation is often an indication of potentially serious health problems in the future.

Kohaku can be found in thousands of patterns. Each fish will be distinct, but there is a name for each Koi fish color variety. It is important that the red mark be vivid. The edges will gradually blend into the white background.

Some of the pattern names are:
1. Tancho which is a single red marking on the head that is similar to a crown.
2. Ohmoyo is a single unbroken pattern that extends from head to tail.
3. Nidan is a two step pattern
4. Sandan is one of the most popular patterns and has three steps. Yondan is four stp and Godan is 5 step.
5. Kuchibeni means lipstick. This is a pattern that is on the fish that resembles lipstick on the white body.

The Kohaku is the koi that brought the fish to the top of the popularity scale. They are sensitive to their watery domain. If the water is too hard, small black spots may form on the skin. It is important to maintain soft water to prevent this and encourage the formation of the red as well.

In baby koi, the beni is a yellow color. It gradually develops into a light orange that is followed by various shades of deepening orange and finally red. The males will develop their red during their first or second year and will last for years. The females develop a little later.

During the 1900′s another variety of koi was created. It contained the characteristics of the Hokaku and had additional black markings called sumi. The variety was labeled Taisho Sanke and the beauty of the addition of the sumi is remarkable.

The Koi color pattern of the sumi can be bold or sparse. It can be expressive or delicate and dainty. A lacquer like black is what the breeder is seeking. The body is pure white and the colors of the red with crisp clear borders are the desirable characteristics.

In the 1930′s the Showa Sanshoku was developed. It has basically the reverse Koi colors of the Kohaku. It has red and white markings on a black background. The black forms a very brilliant background that shows off the interesting patterns of the red and white. The Showa that have less black than white are called Kindai or modern Showa.

The description as well as Koi fish colors of each of the different varieties of Koi are the basis by which they are named. There are others that are black and white, black and red or black and yellow. When these fish are entered into Koi shows there are characteristics that the judges are looking for. If all of these characteristics are present the cost of the Koi can range into the thousands of dollars.

by Wyoming_Jackrabbit

The Classic Icon of Elegance

Nothing epitomizes sublime beauty quite like the White Koi. Valued for its purity in form & color, the Platinum Ogon, as it is more commonly referred to amongst enthusiasts, has turned out to be somewhat of a “standard” for many koi ponds worldwide. This popularity is due partly to the fact that they are able to grow rapidly and are surprisingly easy to see in the murky water of poorly filtered ponds. They stand out beautifully alongside the host of colors of other koi varieties.

Throughout the earliest days of breeding and cross-breeding Koi in Japan, there were generally only one or two colors on hand, so, as Koi breeding gained popularity around the world, the range and diversity of colors and traits increased dramatically. Today there is an ever-increasing assortment of color and pattern combos available, ranging from red, black, white, green, blue and yellow.

To completely appreciate the different varieties of Koi Fish, one needs to develop a comprehension of the various classifications that each group falls into. Each class has standards to ascertain which group they belong to, but generally speaking, each group has a particular level of acceptable diversity.

White koi originally appeared back in 1963, most likely from cross-breeding Kigoi (lemon non-metallic) with the grayish-silver (metallic) Nezu Ogon.

When learning about Koi varieties, it’s interesting to note a particular point of differentiation. Each variety usually has a Doitsu (scale-less) version and a Gin Rin (sparkly) scaled version.

Most Platinum Ogon are bred with the Gin Rin scales to make them appear shinier. Gin Rin scales have a pigmented reflective sheen that produces a glimmering effect much like that of cut diamonds. To meet the requirements as a Gin Rin, a Koi must have at least 20 scales which is the acceptable minimum requirement.

Ogon refers to koi of one solid color. Whilst known colors include red, orange, platinum, yellow and cream, the two most popular colors are the Platinum Ogon (white) and the Yamabuki Ogon (yellow). A desirable attribute of the Ogon are sizeable fins because they offset the single color body. The color of any Ogon should be consistent all over the body of the fish.

An additional interesting point is that as the majority of the fish’s pigment is on the top section of the fish, the light is able to reflect off their backs, highlighting their bright and beautiful color combinations. For this reason, Koi are generally best seen from above, as in a pond.

Although all koi are classified as Cyprinus carpio, selective breeding and cross-breeding has resulted in many varieties of koi, each based on varying levels of scalation, color, and patterning.

As a preliminary guide for the amateur Koi devotee, it is perhaps useful to provide a few words in the Japanese Koi vocabulary to make the task of understanding Koi Classification a little less overwhelming. An illustration of how this Japanese terminology works is shown in the following example variations:

Aka Bekko – A red Koi with black patches

Shiro Bekko – A white Koi with black patches

Ki Bekko – A yellow (ki) Koi with black patches

Doitsu Bekko – This is a scale less version of the above

Japanese Terminology for Koi Classification:

ai Indigo color

aka red – pertaining only to the base color of the fish

bekko Solid base color (aka, ki or shiro) with black markings (sumi)

beni dark red color

budo Grape color

cha Brown color

doitsu German carp – either scale-less referred to as Leather Carp or having a line of large scales along the lateral and dorsal lines referred to as Mirror Carp

gin silver (white metallic)

ginrin pearl-silver reflective scales

hi red – pertaining only to the colored patches of the fish

hikari shiny

karasu old variety of black koi – means “Crow” in Japanese – black fins and jet black body – may have markings on belly

ki Yellow – pertaining only to the base color of the fish

kin gold (yellow metallic)

kinrin pearl-gold reflective scales

kuchibeni lipstick

matsuba pine cone or net pattern effect to scales

midori green color

mono type

moyo type of pattern

muji one color

nezu gray color

orenji orange color

rin shiny Scale

shiro White – pertaining only to the base color of the fish

sumi black – pertaining only to the colored patches of the fish

tancho a single strong red spot on the head only

ai Indigo color

aka red – pertaining only to the base color of the fish

by Wyoming_Jackrabbit

A koi pond is a major part of keeping koi and must be built with careful consideration of various factors. Remember, the majority of ponds are permanent once they are built. You cannot change your mind about its location or design after one or two weeks of construction work. So bear in mind such things as size requirements and placement when planning to build your koi pond.

Your koi pond is the living habitat for your koi. For it to work properly and actually sustain koi, a number of different things must be considered when you begin planning it. A few simple rules will ensure that you do not end up with an expensive hole in the ground with dead fish.

Firstly, you need to decide whether to get professional services to build your koi pond or do it yourself. There are advantages and disadvantages both ways. If you want to hire a professional pond builder, you will want to find someone with enough experience and who is reliable.

In light of that, beware of extremely cheap quotes as these builders may cut corners that could bring problems to you later. While quotes will differ, there should not be a very huge difference between them.

If you choose to try to build your koi pond yourself, you will need a pond kit. Set aside enough time to do the work. A simple design may take you only a few days but if you have other challenges such as an uneven ground, rocky soil, debris or an elaborate design, then building the pond on your own may take you months. Furthermore, you may need to rent or buy specialized equipment to get the job done. So depending on your own personal situation, you need to decide whether it is more practical to hire a professional or do it yourself.

Remember, if your pond is not built properly the first time, you will end up spending a lot of money fixing the problems that arise. Besides that, if your pond is not properly setup, you may not even be able to keep your koi alive.

The types of koi ponds you can build are differentiated according to the materials used to make the pond lining. Basically, the pond lining can be either concrete, fiberglass, rigid plastic or flexible liners. Once again, there are pros and cons to each one and you should base your choice on your budget and the type of soil and ground conditions you have. No matter which type of pond you opt for, you will need to apply for the relevant permit and adhere to all regulations set by your local municipality for setting up a koi pond.

Once your koi pond is constructed, be sure to keep all children and other pets that are not fish out of the pond, as they can cause problems. If your children swim in your pond, not only could they cause a chemical imbalance, but they could also cause major problems such as leaks. Likewise, keep other pets away from your koi pond filtration system and your pond in general. An important thing to do would be to build a fence around your koi pond and equipment such as pumps and filters. It is likely that the law makes this mandatory also.

Finally, remember that maintaining a Koi pond does require some work. Make sure that you have enough time to carry out the everyday needed maintenance and be prepared to handle issues that will arise that require special attention such as koi pond leaks, sick koi etc. If you are going to be away, have someone with enough knowledge to properly maintain you pond be available to help until you return.

by Wyoming_Jackrabbit

Koi ponds make attractive backyard enhancements, especially on large lots. There are many benefits to having an on-site water feature, but koi ponds in particular add peace and beauty to most any piece of property. Sounds of flowing water combined with images of graceful fish will transform an ordinary backyard into a tranquil sanctuary.

Once established, koi ponds require minimal maintenance. Getting one set up, however, requires some work. Consider ordering one from a custom pond kit supplier online. Before any manual labor begins, the planning stages of the project must be accomplished. Check the property for a low spot near some trees. The low land will be easier to hollow out, and the trees will provide shade and oxygen for the fish. If no such site exists, consider planting some trees in the area where the water feature will be. Direct sunlight is not recommended for raising koi.

When the site has been established, mark off the area to be dug. Koi ponds need to hold a minimum of 1,000 gallons of water, and must be at least 4 feet deep in some areas. These fish grow to be quite large, so in this case bigger is definitely better. Koi ponds, like any backyard ponds, can be dug with shovels. Backhoes are much more efficient and are easier on the muscles. Equipment rental companies rent backhoes and other heavy equipment to homeowners by the day or by the hour. If the thought of operating such a beast seems intimidating, hire a contractor and get the job done by a professional.

Once the pond is dug, it is time to think about a liner. If you plan to use a rubber liner, an underlayment made of synthetic fiber will help to prevent roots and rocks from damaging the rubber over time. This material comes in rolls that vary in size. Overlap the underlayment to cover the bottom and sides of the pond, making sure to extend well beyond the pond’s edge. Carefully place the liner over top of the fiber material. Try to avoid large wrinkles and folds. Small wrinkles will be pressed flat with the weight of the water.

Now is the time to install fountains or waterfalls. Line the edges of the pond with rocks or pavers to keep the liner in place. Add aquatic plants inside the koi pond, anchoring them with rocks or weights. Place landscaping plants around pond’s edge to create a more natural setting.

Once these steps have been completed, the filling can begin. Be sure to adjust the liner as the pond fills, smoothing out folds and making sure the liner is properly placed. Adding fish will be the last step. But do not let impatience ruin the process. Failure to introduce fish slowly will result in dead fish. The water temperature must be the same in the pond as in the koi’s transport containers. Float containers containing the koi in the pond water for an hour to let the water temperature regulate. Then release the fish slowly, letting them venture out into the pond as they feel secure.

by Wyoming_Jackrabbit

Koi fish ponds have become one of the most popular features for home-owners today. Japanese koi fish are colorful, vibrant and make great pets. But there is a little more necessary to take care of koi than just buying a tank and getting some fish. It takes more to create a habitat than most people are aware of. You can’t simply dig a hole and fill up a pond with your garden hose and just toss the fish in. When you select your fish, you should not buy just any old fish from a pet store.

If you take care and start your habitat correctly then all your future work will be cut in half. It is absolutely necessary to wait until your water is ready for fish before you go and buy them. What this means is that the pond construction must be done and the water must be the right temperature and conditioned before you put the koi into the pond. Check your water’s temperature and chemical levels and make sure that the habitat is suitable before you put new fish in the water.

When the pond water conditions are right and you head out the door to buy your koi, it is a good idea to avoid the pet stores and focus on cultivated farm-raised koi to beautify your pond.

Good quality fish from a dealer or breeder will cost more than you will pay in a pet store, but the extra quality is worth it.

Buying koi can put strain on even the most experienced of koi owners. If you’re new to this buying ritual, it can be a downright nerve-racking experience filled with uncertainty. It is important to consider everything from the conditions of the tanks the breeder keeps the fish in to the health of the individual fish.

That’s why a checklist is important to keep your mind focused on getting good quality healthy fish with vibrant colors.

There are five distinct things to look for to determine the health and quality of the koi you buy. Keep these six questions in mind the next time your buy fish:

1. Are the display tanks clean?
2. Are the display tanks bio-filtered to maintain water quality?
3. Does each tank have its own filter?
4. Does this dealer quarantine new fish?
5. How long are new fish quarantined?
6. Can you obtain background information on the koi you want to buy?

Getting this information is important. Koi with good backgrounds (pedigrees if you will) cost more, sometimes lots more, than your average pet store koi. Sometimes you may find a dealer who swears that he’s selling you “Japanese koi”, and use that to justify a higher price. But unless you can get and confirm the background information on that fish, don’t believe it.

Of course, if it really is a special fish and you have the money, then by all means consider purchasing it. These fish, to be blunt about it, are usually of a higher quality. It is your money, so buy the best quality koi fish you can and get the most for it.

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by Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton

Those two reasons alone make them enough to fall in love with Koi fish. If you are considering purchasing Koi for your garden pond then this article is for you.

The first thing that’s recommended for you to do is to acquire as much information as you possibly can about Koi fish. This information could be acquired from your local pet shop owners, a reputable breeder and even online.

The staff of the breeder and pet shops should be knowledgeable about Koi fish and should be able to answer lots of questions for you. One of the questions you may need to ask is if the Koi Fish are imported or from a local source? Of those two choices the imported Japanese Koi fish is usually going to be the highest quality.

If it is at all possible for you to visit fish farms, where Koi are raised, that would be an excellent thing for you to do. While there check the conditions at the farm.

See how well the fish are being taken care of, how they are maintained and the overall general cleanliness of the farm. The Koi fish farms ponds water should be clean and odorless; their supplies for sale should be of excellent quality.

As you probably already realize Koi fish come in unique stunning color patterns with no two Koi ever being exactly alike. Each Koi has all of their own unique colors and markings. Did you know however that the young Koi will change as they grow more mature? As they mature and grow their colors will usually darken so remember this when shopping for your new Koi fish.

Koi fish are generally very social creatures and will normally be seen socializing and swimming with other Koi. If by chance you see one or two swimming alone off to themselves then I would recommend avoiding these fish.

Chances are they are not healthy fish.

A healthy Koi fish will swim effortlessly and glide through the water with ease. They should have no jerking type motions and no twitching when swimming. Their gills should move at an even pace and rhythmically together. If you do happen to notice that they are only breathing through one gill or if they have any redness around their gills this is also a sign that they could have an infection called gill flukes. This would be another sign that they are not healthy Koi.

When observing a healthy Koi’s body it should be gently tapered, well defined and thick. There should be no visible signs of damage, any ulcers or spots of discoloration on the fish. Their scales should lay flat against the fish with no lesions of any kind.

Experts cannot agree on the amount of Koi fish that should be kept in a garden pond. The best answer really is that it would depend upon the size of your pond as well as the efficiency of the filtration system.

Your garden Koi pond should be at least 1000 gallons big with a minimum water depth of 4 foot. As excited as you are to go out and purchase your new Koi it is very important to make sure your pond has been built and has an excellent filtration system already working. After these things have been accomplished then your pond is ready for all of your new Koi fish.

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by wakingphotolife:

There are a few factors that help to determine a type of koi fish. They are usually identified by koi fish colors, markings, patterns and scale variations. Here are some of the more common types of these wonderful pond fish:

Kohaku. This is probably the most common and popular type of koi. It’s colors are red and white. The japanese translation for kohaku is red and white.

Asagi. This beautiful fish is pale blue with an orange-red type color of belly. It’s scales on it’s back form a net pattern. The word asagi means pale blue.

Ogon. This shiny metallic koi is usually gold or orange. You can also find these in cream color, but they are rare in that color. The scales are one color. Ogon means gold.

Bekko. This koi can be white, yellow or red. It has black markings on it’s body. Bekko translates into tortoise shell.

Matsuba.

This koi is one color. It’s scales are similar in design to a pinecone.

Utsuri. This fish is black with white, red or yellow markings. The markings are similar to ink stains. This is the reason the japanese word for to print, utsuri, is it’s name.

Karasugoi. A black fish with an orange belly.

Showa. This beautiful koi has a black body with white and red markings.

Ochiba: A light blue koi with yellow markings. Ochiba translates to fallen leaves.

Butterfly koi: Koi that are bred with asian carp. The color is determined by the type of koi that is bred with the carp. Butterfly koi are known for their long, flowing fins.

Koi fish, overall, are viewed as symbols of love and friendship. These and other meanings ranging from courage to strength are the reasons that they are such popular symbols being seen on anything from jewelry to tattoos.

Koi fish colors are beautiful and original no matter what type you choose.

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