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What is a koi?
A koi is an ornamental Japanese carp (Cyprinus Carpio). Koi have the same body shape and have two pair of barbells (whiskers) unlike goldfish that have several body configurations.
Are goldfish and koi related?
Goldfish are cousins to koi. Goldfish are a different species of the carp family. Goldfish are Chinese crucian carp (Carassius Carassius).
How much do koi cost?
Cost of koi vary, ranging from a few dollars to several thousand.
What do koi eat?
There are many different types of specially prepared koi food. After winter metabolism slow down period, you may start them with Cheerios as their system must reactivate.
What are those little red worms?
Little red worms (blood worms), larvae of the midge fly, may be found in the filter material of your bio-filter. They are perfectly natural and a sign that your system is clean. You don't need to get rid of them. You can purchase a freeze dried version at pet stores.
Where do you keep koi?
Koi are kept in various types of ponds.
Must I learn Japanese?
Only if you want to learn about them. Their colors and patterns have numerous Japanese names.
How deep should I make my Pond?
Healthy fish like to swim up and down as well as side to side, at least 4 feet deep.
What is the Japanese word for Koi?
Nishikigoi means "Embroidered Carp" and koi is the derivative.
How big will koi get?
Koi can attain a length of twenty-four to thirty-six inches if enough room is provided and they have ample food. They will increase in girth as they grow.
Will a koi's color or markings change?
Koi can change with the advent of time and environment. Arizona water brings out the black (sumi). They can get sun burnt. One member has one fish that changes with the seasons, summer and winter. Certain colors become richer and more defined (finish is the koi keeper word) with age. Or they can finish early changing some amounts of color.
How many koi will fit in my pond?
It is best to have under one pound of fish per 100-200 gallons of water. One thousand gallons can hold three - eighteen inch fish which approximates five pounds total. A twenty-four to thirty-six inch koi are about twenty and thirty pounds respectively. One thirty pound fish should have 3000-6000 gallons! How many gallons are in your pond? There are seven and a half gallons in a cubic foot of water.
Should I be concerned about mosquitoes?
Fish eat mosquito larvae.
How Do I Get Rid of Green Water?
Algae bloom, green pea soup, occurs whenever the water heats, there is enough fertilizer in the water, and sunlight. One way to combat algae bloom is to achieve a natural balance where the fertilizer is taken up by plants. Another is to reduce the amount of sunlight striking the pond.
An additional way is to put in an ultraviolet clarifier, or "UV filter."
What is barley straw used for?
Barley straw helps combat algae blooms and string algae. It increases the upflow biological filtration normally in waterfall systems of ponds.
Do you eat koi?
NO! They are pets and some can become very expensive.
Are koi aggressive?
Normally known for their calm fluid swimming movements. However males can get rough with females during spawing season. Koi do not bite people and can be trained to eat out of your hand. They come to you for food and can "look like they are begging for food.
Do koi have teeth?
They have molar type flat teeth in the back of their mouth for grinding food.
What are butterfly koi??
Also known as Dragon fish or most popular name is Long Fin Koi. Long Fin Koi originated in Thailand and were not readily accepted by the old Japanese Koi breeders. Earlier Koi show judges would not look at them. Standard Koi (not long fin) standards are being modified and applied to these fish. Long fins are very popular in the United States. The length of finage is becoming important in the judging standards -- balance and porportion.
Where can I find koi anatomy?
Do koi have predators?
Any creature that will eat fish: herons, owls, eagles, cats, racoons, etc.
What is fukurin?
Some breeders may represent that as ginrin. Fukurin is actually skin and it has two types. The name was taken from the term Fuku, meaning to 'cover' or 'wrap'. When the skin wraps around a small scale it makes it look metallic or crystaline. What is AKCA?
It is an acronym for Associated Koi Clubs of America. AKCA is a non-profit organization created to support koi keeping. Their web site is AKCA.
What is ZNA?
It is ZEN NIPPON AIRINKAI. Koi keepers in Japan formed a Nishikigoi keepers society. It is a world wide organization. Their web site is ZNA.
What is the AGA?
It is an acronym for the American Goldfish Association. Their web site is AGA.
What is GFSA?
Goldfish Society of America is dedicated primarily to goldfish. It is focused on information exchange and expanding knowledge. Breeders, collectors, and goldfish enthusiasts benefit from the Society’s publications and local clubs. Water gardeners and Koi enthusiasts are also served by GFSA. Their web site is GFSA.
What is VSKC's red symbol on their Logo?
It is called "Torii Gate" and is found at entrances to Shinto Shrines. It designates holy ground.
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Can goldfish and koi be together?
Goldfish and koi can be in the same pond. Some people segregate them into an upper or lower pond that is on the same filter system. Goldfish produce less ammonia than koi and do not grow as large.
What is a Koi Show?
It is like a dog show -- only wet. There are no leahes, but to take them to a show you must bag them. Since the size of a koi may be large you need a large bag with water to cover the fish and the rest of the volumn filled with pure oxygen or you may have a lot of fish to show so you purchase a transportation tank and have an air pump with air stones in the water.
How do I prepare my fish for a show?
What goes into a Koi Show?
What happens at Koi Show?
A lot of prepatory work and set up of a site. The show tanks (about 350 gallons) are arranged and air is piped from a central location. They are, of course filled with water and that water must be de-chorinated and treated. The water is tested throughout the show to ensure the water quality. Show water quality is differnt that keeping water in your pond. Before the judging starts the fish are registered or "benched."
What is benching?
The ownership, classification, size, and picture are recorded. With the advent of laptops, it has become a much easier process than in days of old.
Why is size important?
It is unfair for little koi to compete with their big brothers and sisters. A koi's coloration may change as they grow. They may "finish" -- be at their peak -- at different times.
How do you judge koi?
Koi are judged on:
• Placement, depth, and balance of color
• Body structure/conformation.
• scales (lack or presence, possible shine, shape regularity).
• fins (shape, color, length).
I see "Champion" on some pictures on this and other Koi Club web sites. Do they have build points like dogs?
No, these shows are ment to build interest in koi keeping. They do not need wins at "Major" shows, they are chamions of the moment. BTW, one fish may be champion one month and not be champion at a different show, again they do not collect "points" like dogs with the American Kennel Club's "Champion" status.
Is it right or fair for a Judge to show fish?
They can not judge their own fish. They must, however, also show fish. Granted they do know what to look for in their own fish. But, beauty is in the eye of the judge. While ownership is recorded at the time of registration, judges do not know who owns which fish. Here is a point to consider -- if your fish beats a judge's fish of the same classification and size -- you koi must be one great fish on that day.
How do you keep koi?
There are many who feel that you don't keep koi,
you keep the water.
Why do you keep their water?
Koi's metabolism produce a large amount of ammonia and waste products. Ammonia is poisonous to fish. Seventy to eighty percent of food is waste.
How do you keep the water?
There are two simple ways. Don't over populate with too many koi. Don't over feed them. The more complex methods deal with filters, waste removal, and water changes.
What kind of filter do I need?
There are sedimentary, mechanical, biological, and ultraviolet types of filters. These types come in many variations and sizes. Depending on the size of your pond and fish load, you may need some of each. They should handle a complete cycle of the water in one to two hours, preferably one.
What is a biological filter?
A biological filter is a filter or a living environment where beneficial bacteria live. This can be a filter, lava rocks or other fish safe media. Even the pond walls and bottom can contain beneficial bacteria. Bacteria are responsible for breaking down and converting toxic ammonia from fish metabolism into nitrites and then into harmless nitrates.
Winterize my UV?
When water freezes inside the UV unit it expands and cracks the delicate quartz sleeve that protects the lamps from water. Once water seeps into in the sleeve it will blow the lamp or corrode the terminals. Consider pipe unions on either side with bypass valves remove entire filter. Why not just keep pumping the water through it? What about power outage? Even Phoenix had a heavy freeze early in 2007 four days of below 32 albeit only four hours each day.
How can I prevent algae growth?
Algae spores will grow if you have water, warmth, and nutrients. The trick is to starve out the algae. To accomplish this is simple -- starve them of light and/or nutrients.
Can Koi get sick?
Koi have many kinds of potential problems. Koi can get parasites and bacterial infections that cause skin sores or fin and gill infections. Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) is a current koi problem of international concern.
What is quarantine?
It is adviseable to quarantine new fish to check for illness in a separate holding pond or tank. The stress of transport may induce some health problems. Quarantine can be a method to treat sick fish.
How do you treat sick fish?
Quarantine can be a method to treat sick fish. Treatment can be medicated food, medicated baths, or medication in the pond. In serious cases by injecting antibiotics. The best way to have healthy fish is to maintain good water quality.
How do you maintain water quality?
First you must know your water quality. Large filter systems and water changes help in the maintenance of water quality. It has been said that koi ponds are small scale waste water treatment plants.
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Quarantine