How Transfer Koi Into Aquarium or Pond

Bagging Koi After Purchase Australia Koi Auction

By R. D. Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett

When you're confident that your new koi are healthy after three-week quarantine, you can finally introduce your new koi to their new aquatic citadel, whether it's an aquarium or pond. Koi can go directly from quarantine tub to pond  only if the pH values and temperatures are close (0.2 range for pH, and a 5 degree Fahrenheit difference for temperature).

If you're using an outside pond, keep in mind that the water must be 70 degrees F or higher. Adding a new fish to a too-cold pond shuts down the fish's immune system exactly when he needs it the most. If the water isn't warm enough, leave your koi in its quarantine tub until warmer weather arrives.

Koi Shipped To You

1. The pond temperature is likely to be different from your quarantine tub's temperature. Take a few precautions to avoid stressing or shocking your fish:

2. Turn off the heater in the quarantine tub and let the tub reach room temperature overnight.

3. You want less than a 10-degree difference between pond and tub temperatures so your fish aren't shocked.

4. The next morning, if the tub and pond temperatures are more than 5 degrees apart, you need to bag and float your koi in the pond.

5. Use your koi net to bowl your koi (take the handle extension off your net if you're inside).

6. Pour the bowl into a waiting and partially submerged poly bag or lift your koi into the bag. You want just enough water in the bag to cover the fish so the bag isn't too heavy. Rubber-band the bag closed and lift the bag out of the tub.

7. Carry the bag to your aquarium or pond, ease it into the water, and let it float for 20 minutes to equalize the temperatures and keep eye on the bag do not allow the bag to heat up from the sun

8. Open the bag, lift out your koi, and release it.

How Do You Prepare and What Do You Do Before You Buy New Koi Fish?

Koi Man

Question:

How do you prepare and what do you do before you buy new Koi fish?

Answer:

If you are thinking or planning to purchase new Koi fish- remember the following points.

1. Buy Koi only from a reputable dealer.

2. Examine your new Koi up close and personal-remember;

a.      No split fins;

b.     Fins should not be clamped to the Koi’s body;

c.     No sores or missing scales;

d.     No missing body parts (or fins).

3. Always Quarantine new Koi or any fish- for at least 4 to 8 weeks.

4. Separate tank and separate filtering system;

5 Remember Koi need time to relieve stress after being moved to their new environment and your new Koi will have to acclimate to your water chemistry and temperature.

6. The number one requirement is: pick a Koi that appeals to you because you are the one who has to live with your new Koi choice and you know what your Koi pond can handle-remember Koi can live to be one hundred years old or older.

7. Always Remember less is more in Koi pond-too many Koi creates host of serious problems;

I Want –Your Questions

Please email your questions to

jcprvst@yahoo.com. Or you can ask question in the comment section on any web page: I look forward to hearing from you!

Note: The ultimate care of your Koi pond and Koi fish is always up to you.

I Added New Koi They Died-I Didn't Quarantine Them-What Should I Do?

Koi Man

Question: I added new fish last year without quarantining them and they all died and some of the old ones also died over the winter. Some are all right. Now before I add new ones I want to know if I have to treat the pond? I have no idea why they died. What do you think I should do?

Answer: First you have to clean out your pond.

• Do a 50% water change. Take the water from the bottom of the pond.

• Don’t feed the fish until the water temp stays at 60°F.

• Then feed only what they will eat in 5 to 10 min-Once a day.

• Do NOT add any fish unless you quarantine them for at least 6 to 8 weeks.

• Don’t treat the pond with anything unless you know exactly what 
  you’re treating for.

• Don’t use a shotgun method of treatment. If the other fish from last year are okay keep them in the pond alone for 8 to 12 weeks.

You never said how large your pond is- and how many Koi are in the pond and what type of filtration you have, this type of information from you could lead to much better answers for your problem.