Handling Your Fish: From Store to the House
1: When driving home with your purchased fish, place the bag in a shaded spot in the car. This will prevent it from getting stressed out from the heat.
2: Float the unopended bag on the pond until the water temperature in the bag matches the ponds'. Wait approximately 15-30 minutes before releasing the fish into the pond.
3: Once the temperature in the bag and the pond are the same, you can release them.
NOTE: If you have an aquarium tank, do keep in mind that the heat from the light bulb can kill the oxygen inside the bag, and cause the fish to be very stressed out. It is best to turn off the light before floating the bag. It is best to remove the light if possible (for larger aquarium tank light)
WATER QUALITY
Always check your water to ensure that your Kois' environment is at top quality for their safety.
Ph:7-7.4, Nitrite: 0%, Nitrate: 0%, Chlorine: 0%
WATER CHANGING
It is recommended to change 10-15% of your water once a month, anymore than 20% can be dangerous to the fish. If you desire to do more than 20% change within one week, it must be with water that has been conditioned already. NOT directly from the faucet. Always use water treatments product to removes the chlorine from tap water.
SPRING TO SUMMER FEEDING
It is good to feed your fish once or twice a day during the summer, but do watch out for the increase in ammonia level of the water. Feeding more than once a day can leads to high ammonia levels, which is toxic and harmful to the fish. having crystal clear water doesn't mean that it is at top condition. Plants and beneficial bacteria can help minimize ammonia build-ups. Make sure that your fish finish what is fed to them within 5 minutes, if not then removes what is left. If you desire to feed them more than once a day, it is best to have a good filter system or the water ratio to the inches of fish is right.
FALL TO WINTER FEEDING
During cold seadon feed your fish every other day to once a week depending on the water temperature. Do not feed them at all if the water temperature drops below 41 degrees or once night fall. They will do fine without food for a week during winter time. Make sure that your fish finish what is fed to them within 5 minutes, if not then removes what is left.
QUARANTINE
Introducing new fish can be harmful to the current ecosystem of your pond. It is best ti quarantine the new fish in a seperate tank before releasing. A quarantine tank should, have all the main needs for a fish; something that provides oxygen; a good water circulation and filter system; and good water quality. Fish that are bought from stores tend to be more stressed out compare to your fish. They are also much more sensitive to your pond water as well. If you have a sick fish in your pond, take it out and treat it individually in a different space. This saves money, as well as preventing the sickness, parasite, or bacteria to spread.