Koi Carp, a Japanese-originated fish, is a very popular, colorful, and traditional pet. It offers a bright, vibrant, and calming addition to your outdoor gardens, pools, or indoor aquariums. Koi carp greatly resembles large goldfish and is said to be its distant cousin. These fish can weigh up to 35lb, are 2-3 feet in length, and have an average lifespan between 20-30 years. They are used for both edible and ornamental purposes.
Koi carps are not like usual pets. They need special care to ensure health and comfort. If you are planning to adopt them, there are some obligatory guidelines to be followed! Remember, these hardy creatures can fall prey to various health issues, if not provided with an optimum living environment.
This article presents 5 mandatory guidelines for keeping Koi carp safe. So, let’s begin.
1. Optimize the water conditions
Poor water conditions impose a great threat to fish health. Almost 80% of Koi Carp problems can be prevented by restoring healthy, optimized water conditions. By healthy water conditions we mean;
- No pH fluctuations due to low KH or acid rain
- pH level must be between 7-8.5
- Negligible ammonia and nitrite levels caused by fish waste
- No pond equipment hampering the water quality
- Maximum oxygen and minimum chlorine, iron, zinc, or copper
- No overstocking
- Reasonable depth for the fish to spend winters
A clean pond doesn’t necessarily mean that it is ideal for the fish. If you are keeping the Koi Carp in your ponds or aquarium, make sure to keep the water healthy for them.
2. Choose the right pond filter
A wide variety of pond filters are available for the safety of Koi Carp. Thus, it becomes a little difficult to choose the right one. When choosing a pond filter, make sure to include the volume and stocking level of the pond along with the fish growth. The right filter not only removes solid waste and debris but also ammonia and other toxins. A quality filter is a must for a healthy environment for your Koi Carps.
3. Feed them with the right diet
Pet food has a huge effect on the health and longevity of your pets. The same is the case with Koi carp. A healthy diet and the right feeding method are crucial to their health. Koi Carp eats both meat and vegetables like peas and lettuce. Special Koi Carp fish food is also available in the market. It includes the right amount of vitamins, carbohydrates, and proteins to promote healthy growth. People often feed Koi Carps with goldfish flakes or bread bits which offer adverse health effects.
Winter feeds are different including low protein wheatgerms. This is because the digestive system of Koi Carp slows down in cooler temperatures. Make sure not to underfeed or overfeed your fish. The right food in the right amount is the golden rule.
4. Use high-quality pond equipment
Good pond equipments ensure a good pond environment which in turn keeps your Koi Carp healthy. Good pond equipments include;
- High-quality filtration system for cleaning water and removing toxins
- Strong water pump for circulating the water through the filters
- Pond skimmer to eradicate floating debris
- Proper aeration system to maintain healthy oxygen levels
- UV clarifier to eliminate microbes and algae
5. Prevent overcrowding
This is the most overlooked aspect while petting Koi Carps. The pond or aquarium size must be aligned with the number of fish to be kept inside. It must be reasonably large so that the fish are not overcrowded. Overcrowding disturbs the level of oxygen in the container and elevates many toxins as well.
Koi carp are very colorful and vibrant fishes presenting a cooling sight to the eyes. They can serve the best for ornamental purposes. If you wish to create a Koi pond or pool at your place, make sure to stick to these guidelines for a pleasant experience. If you want to get Koi at affordable prices, visit Keruto Koi. They have the finest variety of hand-picked Koi fishes being offered at reasonable prices. For further details please visit kerutokoi.com.