How to take care of Koi carp?

How do you take care of Koi carp and make them feel good? In this article, we will see the different parameters to consider for Koi carp to be comfortable and healthy.

This goes of course as much by the acclimatization of the fish, as by the maintenance of the basin. At the same time, in addition to some good habits, their diet is also a point not to be overlooked.

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5 things to know absolutely before buying Koi carp

Koi carp is a popular ornamental fish throughout Southeast Asia. In this case, this freshwater fish has a very high cultural value in Japan. If you are new to Koi farming, here are some general and interesting things to know:

• Level of experience for a foudebassin: intermediate
• Adult height: 60 cm to 80 cm
• Life expectancy: 50 years (or even more, in the wild)
• Origin: Japan
• Memory: a Koi carp has a memory and can remember behaviors

Relatively easy to tame, Koi carp nevertheless require attention. In some cases, they can reach a meter in length, which is quite a size. With a long life expectancy, this type of fish is an excellent choice for ornamental ponds.

Caring for Koi carp: well-being, food & health

How to ensure the well-being of Koi carp

Easily stressful, Koi fish appreciate calm and clean waters. They can absolutely cohabit with other types of fish, as long as they have the same needs and lifestyles. Today we are going to see some good things to do if you want to acquire Koi carp.

Quite particular, Koi carp have specific needs. These little aquatic gems appreciate pools with very clean water. Ideally, the body of water will meet a few key criteria for the comfort of Koi fish. In general, Koi carp appreciate large ponds with sandy bottoms.

Koi carp food: which one to choose?

As you might expect, Koi fish have special nutritional needs. Their food will therefore have to be adjusted according to their type, their colors, but also the season. On the sidelines of the low-end products generally offered in supermarkets, we rather recommend moving towards fish pellets.

Indeed, we will prefer a qualitative food to ensure sufficient intakes to the fish. At the same time, we can therefore turn to food brands that have already proven themselves over time.

⭐ You may be interested: our tips for choosing a good food for Koi carp

Finally, talking about the quality of food inevitably leads back to the question of water. And for good reason, with lower quality food, fish will produce a lot more waste. This will of course affect the general hygiene of the pond, while presenting a risk for the filtration equipment.

The health of Koi carp: general information

How to detect a disease?

Like all living beings, Koi fish can get sick. In order to preserve the good health of all your carp, the ideal is to keep an eye on them regularly. In other words, it is recommended to check the general behavior of the fish as well as its physical appearance. This can be manifested in particular by swelling of the eyes, or even of their abdomen.

⭐ You may also be interested: our more detailed article on koi carp diseases and how to treat them

In fact, in the event of a problem, they often adopt an equivocal attitude. Thus, both in the way they swim and in their diet, it will be quite easy to identify a potential problem. Finally, also note if the carp tends to rub against the edges of the pool: this usually indicates a parasitic disease.

When should you worry and contact a specialist?

More generally, if you notice one or more of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you contact a specialist. Without being exhaustive, these signs can therefore testify to poor health of the Koi carp:

• Unusual swimming pattern
• Thinness or loss of appetite
• abdominal swelling
• Inflamed or discolored skin or fins
• Fins tight to the sides of the body
• Body scratching on the rocks

Properly prepare the pond for Koi carp

How to install a fish pond? What advice?

To be sure that the pond is well suited for Koi carp, it is worth noting a few details.

• The size of the fish: be careful, a koi carp can double in size per year
• The volume of water: we generally provide 1m 3 per fish
• The depth of the pool: we recommend a minimum depth of 1m. The ideal is to have zones of different depths.
• The location: place the pond in a quiet place with shaded areas.
• Water temperature: a Koi stops eating below 8°C
• Adaptation: acclimatize your fish well, and use a quarantine tank to introduce new fish into your garden pond

⭐ It may interest you: we wrote an article on how to choose a garden pond

Any advice on pond filter systems?

Finally, we will not fail to mention the importance of the filtration system. Indispensable to the pond, and especially if you plan to raise Koi carp, this system must meet the needs of the pond.

Thereby :

• Choose a filtration system adapted to your volume and the quantity of individuals present in your garden pond.
• Regularly add bacteria to your pond.
• Analyze the water in your pond at least 2 to 3 times a year.

⭐ It may interest you: we wrote an article to help you analyze your pool