1. Never expose Koi to sudden changes in water temperature
Koi can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but a sudden change will be too stressful for them. When introducing new Koi to your pond or transferring them from one pond to another, always acclimatise the fish to the new water prior to releasing them.
2. Protect Koi from would-be predators
The mere sight of a heron or any predator is stressful to Koi. You can do a lot to protect Koi from being eaten by predators - everything from carefully designing your pond for maximum Koi safety to installing motion-activated sprinklers, electric fence, netting of the pond and so on. Netting is the most effective method albeit perhaps the least attractive.
To see some amazing photographs taken at the very moment a heron swooped down and grabbed himself a £200 Koi carp lunch, CLICK HERE!
3. Do not overstock your pond
It is stressful for Koi fish to live in an overcrowded environment for a number of reasons. For a start, water quality goes down. The more fish that are present in a pond, the more waste product is produced. Unless pond filters are big enough to cope with the excess waste, ammonia and nitrite levels will rise which will be harmful to the Koi. Also, overcrowding means regularly competing for food at meal times leading to competitive stress.
Solutions include performing a partial water change in order to dilute the build-up of ammonia or nitrite level, reducing feed, selling some of the Koi to reduce numbers or building a bigger pond!
It is stressful for Koi fish to live in an overcrowded environment for a number of reasons. For a start, water quality goes down. The more fish that are present in a pond, the more waste product is produced. Unless pond filters are big enough to cope with the excess waste, ammonia and nitrite levels will rise which will be harmful to the Koi. Also, overcrowding means regularly competing for food at meal times leading to competitive stress.
Solutions include performing a partial water change in order to dilute the build-up of ammonia or nitrite level, reducing feed, selling some of the Koi to reduce numbers or building a bigger pond!4. Maintain water quality
This is absolutely essential in koi-keeping if you want to keep your Koi healthy and stress-free. Buy water testing kits and regularly check the ammonia level, nitrite level and pH level of the water. The ideal pH for Koi is 7.5 although they will tolerate a stable pH level of 6.8 to 8.2. It is very dangerous to Koi if pH varies by more than 0.5 in a 24 hour period as it can affect their bodily functions leading to stress.
You should also regularly check that the water is highly oxygenated and chlorine levels are very low.
5. Always put at least 2 Koi fish together in a pond or tank
Koi fish are sociable creatures. They do not like being on their own. Therefore, always make sure there is more than one fish in a container. In a hospital tank for example where sick Koi are treated, even if it is only one fish who is ill you should still put another Koi in the tank with it for company. It is thought that this will help the sick Koi to recover by alleviating some of the stress associated with sickness and having treatment.
You should also regularly check that the water is highly oxygenated and chlorine levels are very low.
5. Always put at least 2 Koi fish together in a pond or tank
Koi fish are sociable creatures. They do not like being on their own. Therefore, always make sure there is more than one fish in a container. In a hospital tank for example where sick Koi are treated, even if it is only one fish who is ill you should still put another Koi in the tank with it for company. It is thought that this will help the sick Koi to recover by alleviating some of the stress associated with sickness and having treatment.
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