The Koi fish has been on the planet for hundreds of years. A descendant of the Japanese magoi carp they are prized for their beautiful shapes and brilliant colors, especially with the right Koi care. There are several varieties including the fancy fantail Koi which has draping fins and tails. The beautiful fish can be a combination of black, red, yellow, white and orange and it has been known to grow to three feet long and weigh more than forty pounds with the right Koi care.
While the original magoi carp had the ability to endure para
ites and survive in poor conditions, the current species is not quite as hardy. The fish has been a victim of inbreeding to capture the shapes and colors that are so prized. Even so, the Koi still can live for decades and it seldom sickens or dies without an underlying reason. Some of the top reasons for Koi death include poor water quality, parasites, ulcer disease, predators, and lack of oxygen. Other reasons could include medication overdose, virus, tumor, toxic pesticides and jumping out of the water. As you can see, most of the problem could be avoided by simply being diligent in care.
Doing research on proper care can assist you in selecting a pond that is sized correctly to keep your Koi healthy and happy. Koi love the deep water and they exercise by diving to the bottom and then back up to the top. If you want to keep the Koi happy, choose a deep pond. You will also want to avoid your shallow end be too shallow. It is necessary that the Koi be kept safe from too much heat and easy access to predators. Providing good care will require being involved in every aspect of Koi life. Be careful that you do not end up with an overcrowded pool. Koi reproduce rapidly and grow just as quickly. Be mindful that you are utilizing the entire pool and ensuring good water circulation in all areas. Dead areas could mean dead fish.
When considering care, you will want to be mindful of the pond temperature. Koi will not be as active in cooler temperature; they will go to the bottom of the pond and stay. While the Koi is able to withstand the cold, you will need to insure that your pond does not completely freeze. Adding a pond heater can help you not only to maintain the proper temperature needed to keep you Koi happy, it can also help you to avoid disease and sores.
While Koi care specialists recommend that you hand feed your Koi watermelon and lettuce to develop a relationship with them, they also need a daily diet of nutrients provided in the form of pellets. On of the great things about the fish is that they learn to recognize their feeder and will gather to be fed. Feeding time is a wonderful time to get to know the fish as they have distinct personalities.
According to the Japanese, Koi are symbols of friendship and love and the Chinese believe they bring good luck. Regardless of whether they can change your fortune, they are beautiful, interesting fish and with the correct Koi care they can live in your garden and bring you decades of enjoyment. So make Koi care a priority.
About the author: Paul S. Lake is the founder of Koi Fish Center and can be considered an expert in koi care. Paul has been caring for Koi Fish for over 20 years. Get his koi keeping ebook at http://www.koifishcenter.com
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