Koi Q & A

Bullying Koi

2009-04-09T09:13:00.002-06:00

I am new in fish and pond business and I have a goldfish bigger than the one Koi I have in my pond. Every time after he eats, he keeps bumping into my Koi. I thought he was being a bully but maybe he's just in love. I have one small butterfly Koi, 1 large (bully), 1 med and 1 small goldfish in the pond. What do you think the survival rate would be for the babies and should I feed the big goldfish more so he doesn't eat them? -Kim

If you have plenty of hiding places, the survival rate of the baby fish is decent. More often than not, hobbyists end up with a pond full of baby fish. I would keep on feeding him the same amount of food.

Bakki Shower

2009-03-29T11:49:00.001-06:00

I have questions regarding bakki showers. As I understand them you pump water directly from your pond drains into the top tier of a bakki shower and gravity takes care of everything else. Am I correct in understanding that you do not use any other filtration system with a bakki shower and that it alone accomplishes your filtration needs? What happens to the solids that are filtered out of the pond? Are they trapped in the bakki showers? If solids are trapped in the bakki system do they have to be periodically emptied and cleaned? What kind of ongoing maintenance does a bakki shower system require.

Thanks for you help with my questions.

You need to have some sort of mechanical filtration before the bakki shower in order to remove the majority of solids. If you don't, the bakki shower will clog often and it will require much more maintenance. The bakki shower does provide a great amount of biological filtration. If you have mechanical filtration before it, the only maintenace is a good cleaning of the filter material once every couple months.

How do i tell the differance between boy and girl Koi? -Pickles Paulson

2009-03-29T11:40:00.002-06:00

It is nigh impossible to tell the difference when they are young and small, you have to wait for Koi to get older before you can tell the difference. You can usually tell when they are at least 2 years old. Female Koi will take on a blimp shape (they get full of eggs) and male Koi will look like a cigar.

Algae Problem

2009-03-17T11:20:00.003-06:00

I have Koi in my pool, about nine of them in 14,000 gallons of water. I have been using the pool to filter the water, but I am having trouble ridding the pool/pond of algae. Any ideas? -Chele

It depends on what type of algae you are having problems with. The type that makes the water itself green can be treated with a couple of powerful UV lights, like these: http://www.koiacres.com/Koi-Acres-Products/ultra-violet/high-output-uv.html.

If you are having problems with string algae, you can either add chemicals to remove it (which can be costly) or you can remove it by hand.

Do Koi mate with goldfish? -Javon

2009-03-17T11:18:00.001-06:00

Koi will mate with goldfish, their spawn tend to have characteristics of both species. The Koi/goldfish crossbreed will also be smaller than a Koi.

How earlier in the year do Koi start to spawn? -pondgirl07

2009-03-17T11:16:00.002-06:00

That depends on where you live. In warmer climates, Koi will start to spawn in March and April. In colder climates, Koi will spawn in May and June.

Are all baby koi born black, if so when do they change color? -Brenda

2009-03-17T11:13:00.002-06:00

Not all baby Koi are born black, only certain varieties are, like the Showa. Kohakus, for instance, are born with a red tint, with their patterns a darker shade of red.

Koi In A Swimming Pool

2009-03-12T11:59:00.002-06:00

Hello,
I would like to have Koi in my swimming pool. Is the pool too deep? I will keep the water pH right. I am in southern Mississippi and the water gets warm.
If I do get Koi for my pool can we still swim, can they live on the algae generated or do I have to feed them, this seems like a green idea. What are your thoughts?

Regards,
David

First, before you put any fish in, make sure that any traces of Chlorine are out of the water. Chlorine will burn their gills. You will need a filter for the fish, regular pool filters are inadequate since they are filled with sand and will provide no chemical filtration whatsoever (ammonia will build up in the water and will hurt you fish).

The Koi can feed off of algae somewhat, but you should give them Koi food on a regular basis so they get the protien, vitamins and minerals that they need.

Wintering Koi

2008-10-15T22:05:00.002-06:00

I have a small back yard pond, over the summer my friend gave me some pond lettuce and to my surprise there were 4 baby Koi entangled in the roots which I did not even notice until about 2 months later!!! The fish have survived wonderfully with no feeding or attention. Now, that winter is approaching I would like to keep my fish in the pond through the winter. What should I do? Last year my pond froze solid, is it even worth the try? -Lisa

There are two requirements that need to be met in order for your Koi to survive the winter, how you achieve them is up to you:

A hole in the ice, so that fresh Oxygen can get into the water and Carbon Dioxide can escape.
Make sure that the bottom 2/3rds of your pond stays un-frozen so your Koi have some water to live in.

Most people keep a hole in the ice with a 1,500-Watt Floating Pond De-Icer/Heater, this nifty little piece of technology will maintain a hole in the ice. When you compare this to a heater that heats the entire pond, its pretty cheap to run.

Another way to keep a hole in the ice it to agitate the surface of the water, with a good amount of aeration or with a strong aquarium power head. If you live in a region that is farther north, then I would not use this method because water can freeze solid easily when its -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The two worst things that can happen in the winter are (hint, they both involve the pond freezing over):

Mechanical Failure - ie. The heater or powerhead fails and the pond freezes over.
Power Failure - Your power goes out so your heater or powerhead cannot run (consider yourself lucky if you have a backup generator.)

If once of these things happens and your pond starts to freeze over, don't hack away the ice with a pick, the vibrations will greatly distress your Koi. Get some hot, de-chlorinated water, and melt the ice instead of chipping it away (make sure there is no chlorine in the hot water I cannot stress that enough). If the pond starts to freeze due to faulty equipement, replace it right away.

Don't forget, you can always set up a tank indoors!

Argulus Treatment

2008-10-06T20:55:00.001-06:00

What is the best treatment for eradicating argulus? - Danny

A tweezers.

Koi Eggs

2008-10-05T15:12:00.002-06:00

Does anyone know how long Koi actually keep eggs inside their body before laying them to be fertilized? My sister has a Koi that is very rare and looks like it may have eggs in it, but has been that way for almost 3 months now. Is it sick or is it likely that its really eggs inside her? -Tanaya

Koi will usually keep their eggs inside themselves for a few months until they are ready to be ejected. If they don't eject their eggs, they will re-absorb them into their bodies. This can be dangerous though, sometimes Koi will get impacted with eggs, then they turn into a tumor. The best way to prevent this from happening is stripping the eggs, either naturally or artificially.

There is also the chance that your sister is over-feeding her Koi.

Compatable Fish With Koi

2008-10-02T10:18:00.003-06:00

I have a 100 gallon tank in my tattoo studio. I have several Koi, several plecos and a few snails... My question is, what other fish will live well in a tank of Koi? -Ronald

Any type of fish that is considered docile will do fine in a tank with Koi.

Finding Baby Koi

2008-10-01T21:47:00.002-06:00

Hey its me again!
Are Koi cold or warm water fish and do they sell baby Koi at stores? Where can I find them? -Rachel

Hey Rachel,
You can usually find baby Koi at a local pet shop. If you are lucky, you could possibly have a Koi dealer in your area. They are a great source for Koi of all sizes.

Koi are a cold water fish, they will live in a large temperature range, although they do best when the water temperature is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Koi in a small tank

2008-10-01T21:44:00.004-06:00

I really want a Koi i think they are soo cute but the only problem is that i do not have access to a indoor or outdoor pond, but i do have a small gold fish tank could I put one in that? -Rachel

A Koi could live in a small tank, just as long as it has some buddies in there with him and if he has plenty of filtration. He will outgrow the tank, so make sure you have a home for him when he gets too big.

A Small Black spot

2008-09-30T16:12:00.002-06:00

MY KOI HAS A SMALL BLACK SPOT. THE SPOT IS SITUATED BETWEEN THE TOP FIN AND THE TAIL. IS IT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT? IF SO WHAT DO I TREAT IT WITH? -KEITH

The black spot is probably what the Japanese call a shimi, a small discoloration. Shimis are a genetic flaw that are hard for the breeders to get rid of. They seem to be more prevalent on Koi that live in hard water. Watch your Koi with the black spot, if it starts acting funny, (ie. isolating itself, flashing, not eating), then it could have a serious health problem.

Shimis themselves are completely harmless.

Raccoons and Koi

2008-09-30T15:30:00.002-06:00

Which is a better way to protect your fish from raccoons, a Koi dome or a net over the pond? -Daniel

I think a net would be harder for a raccoon to get through. I believe that a raccoon could easily carve a hole in the platic siding of a Koi dome with its claws, while a net would confuse them.

Moving Koi

2008-09-30T15:12:00.002-06:00

How can I move my Koi from one pond to another without make them stressed? -Dan

It is nearly impossible to handle a Koi without causing at least a little amount of stress. The best, low stress, way to move them would be to net them quickly, with as little chasing as possible, After you have caught your Koi, put him in a bag or a suitable container and float it in the destination pond for about 20 minutes or until the temperature has equalized. After that, scoop the Koi out with your hand and release it into the other pond.

Things to remember:

Make sure you dump the water in the container somewhere other than in the pond, it contains ammonia and is not healthy.

Be gentle with your Koi, rough handling causes stress.

Don't ever lift the net out of the water with the Koi in it, use your hands or a sock net (sock nets have a very fine mesh which will not damage a Koi).

I have a Yamabuki Ogon. How can I tell how old he is? -Beka

2007-08-23T10:47:00.000-06:00

Unless you were told by the breeder or the dealer, it is almost impossible to guess the age of your Koi. All Koi grow at different rates, most 2-6 inches a year. Over a few year period, some Koi will be a lot bigger than others.

Koi have growth rings in their scales, not unlike the rings in tree trunks. These rings can be counted with a microscope, although this method is sometimes inaccurate.

Keep Heron Away From Pond

2007-07-30T13:38:00.000-06:00

How do I keep Heron from eating my Koi? The Heron decoy did not work. Will I always have to use a net over my pond? -Peggi

The best way to keep a Heron out of your pond is to build it with steep walls. Herons like to wade through shallow water and they have a hard time getting into a pond with a steep pitch. Many people also have a dog in their yard to chase them away.

Can koi fish live in a salty water?

2007-07-30T13:35:00.000-06:00

Koi are a freshwater fish. They can live with a small amount of salt in the water. The only time that they need salt is for parasite control or for a thicker slime coat (salt will irritate a Koi's skin, making it produce a thicker slime coat).

When do Koi start to breed?

2007-07-30T13:33:00.000-06:00

How old do the Koi have to be before they spawn....or breed? We've had ours for a little over a month and we now have a minimum of 17 babies....we have three 5-6" koi and two 4" koi.... -Tonya

Koi start to breed when they are usually 2 years old and over a foot long.

I bought a lot of Japanese Koi for 1 year but they haven't born any babies. Why? How can I do to get fish babies? -Ei Ei Khine

2007-07-30T13:29:00.000-06:00

Are you sure that they are old enough to even breed yet? Koi usually start breeding when they are at least 2 years old and over 1 foot long. The urge to spawn is usually triggered in the spring, with the rising temperature of the water. They also need a place to spawn, usually a thicket of plant material.

PH Level Dropping

2007-07-30T13:25:00.000-06:00

Since the weather has turned cold here in Perth Australia over the last month my PH level has dropped continually down from 7 to around 5.5 - 5. I have adjusted it with Bi-Carb soda to bring it back up at a rate of about 1.5 Tsp per 1000 litres but then a week later it will have dropped again. All my other water levels are spot on. Can you tell me why this is happening as during the summer months it was OK. Is Bi-Carb soda the correct way to raise the levels? What can you suggest to maintain a steady level of PH? Thank you, look forward to your suggestions. -William

I would do a water change and I would do it regularly. All your Koi are doing right now when they are hibernating is breathing. They breath in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is acidic and will slowly eat away at carbonate levels in the water. As the carbonate levels go down, the water's ability to buffer acid also drops. That is why you pH keeps dropping. Doing a regular water change or adding Bi-Carb soda will keep the carbonate levels in your pond up.

I have algae floating in my pond. Is there anything I can do besides getting a UV Light? -Anthony

2007-07-30T13:18:00.000-06:00

A UV light is usually used for taking care of the algae that turned the water green. In order for a UV light to kill algae, it needs to go through it. UV lights don't usually take care of floating algae. To get rid of the algae that floats in your pond, you can:

scoop it out by hand
do a large water change, on a regular basis
feed your fish less often (less food, less waste, less algae)
treat the pond with an algaecide or another algae killing chemical (not really good, algaecides can harm fish if not dosed right)

Do Koi mate with goldfish? Is it possible for my goldfish to spawn twice in two weeks? -Lynn

2007-07-30T13:13:00.000-06:00

Koi will breed with goldfish. Usually the offspring look half goldfish/half Koi, with muddy colors. I'm not sure how often goldfish will breed, here's the wikipedia article on it:

Goldfish, like all cyprinids, lay eggs. They produce adhesive eggs that attach to aquatic vegetation. The eggs hatch within 48 to 72 hours, releasing fry large enough to be described as appearing like "an eyelash with two eyeballs". Within a week or so, the fry begin to look more like a goldfish in shape, although it can take as much as a year before they develop a mature goldfish color; until then they are a metallic brown like their wild ancestors. In their first weeks of existence, the fry grow remarkably fast - an adaptation born of the high risk of getting devoured by the adult goldfish (or other fish and insects) in their environment.

Goldfish can only grow to sexual maturity if given enough water and the right nutrition. However if kept well, they may breed indoors. Breeding usually happens after a significant change in temperature, often in spring. Eggs should then be separated into another tank, as the parents will likely eat any of their young that they happen upon. Dense plants such as Cabomba or Elodea or a spawning mop are used to catch the eggs.

Most goldfish can and will breed if left to themselves, particularly in pond settings. Males chase the females around, bumping and nudging them in order to prompt the females to release her eggs, which the males then fertilize. Due to the strange shapes of some extreme modern bred goldfish, certain types can no longer breed among themselves. In these cases, a method of artificial breeding is used called "hand stripping". This method keeps the breed going, but can be dangerous and harmful to the fish if not done correctly.