Koi Growth & Koi Size Depends On Several Factors
Given optimum conditions (quality diet, adequate space, healthy pond environment etc) Koi will grow rapidly like their plainer colored carp cousins. Koi are after all fancy colored carp.
Koi growth and Koi size is determined to a large extent by the size of the pond in which they live. A 1000 gallon pond, for example isn't going to produce substantially large Koi.
I'm sure you have seen pictures of really large Koi, which surprisingly don't look elegant and graceful, but more fat and disfigured.
These fish known as Jumbo Koi, in the Koi keeping world, have been substantially overfed and under exercised.
To achieve healthy Koi that reach their full growth potential, coloration and vibrancy, you will need a large pond, a feeding regime that incorporates the best Koi foods and excellent biological filtration.
Professional Koi keepers ensure that their Koi are in tip top condition by introducing a current into their ponds.
This current ensures that there is always resistance in the water. This is akin to us human's running uphill on a treadmill. Koi like humans need to exercise and watch their diet if they are to remain lean and fit.
What Encourages Maximum Koi Growth And Koi Size?
The maximum size of your Koi depends upon both genetic factors and the size of the pond, in which they live. The diet Koi's diet is also a major part in determining the mass of the individual Koi. These factors along with excellent biological filtration with result in excellent results in terms of the mass of the Koi.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/Koi_KoiGrowth.htm
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March 24, 2011
Koi Digestion Explained
So How Do Koi Carp Digest Their Food?
A Koi is an efficient eating machine; designed to absorb nutrients that are useful, and discard what its body can't utilize.
The koi food and koi treats that are sold to pond keepers world wide is totally and utterly different from the natural diet of Koi, living in the wild. The digestive tract of Koi carp is designed to assimilate far more stubborn substances than laboratory manufactured koi food. These foods however will help you to avoid obese Koi and sick koi fish.
Koi Food Digestion Explained
In Koi carp, food is efficiently broken down into what is advantageous and what isn't. Nutritious goodness is digested and absorbed. Anything that isn't useful is expelled through its vent (anus).
This mechanical and physical process is aided by numerous food receptors that are highly sensitive to the presence of food. Koi are equipped with extremely good eye sight, a fantastic sense of smell and excellent hearing.
These highly tuned senses help the Koi to easily discern if they are about to receive a meal. You may have noticed that Koi appear to be excited and rise to the surface when they see a human presence, near the pond. They believe they are about to be fed.
When fish food or a tasty morsel, such as insect larvae enters the Koi's mouth it comes into contact with pharyngeal teeth. These teeth are perfect for grinding down the food substance into much smaller particles; these particles then pass into the Koi's digestive system.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/Koi_Digestion_Article.htm
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
A Koi is an efficient eating machine; designed to absorb nutrients that are useful, and discard what its body can't utilize.
The koi food and koi treats that are sold to pond keepers world wide is totally and utterly different from the natural diet of Koi, living in the wild. The digestive tract of Koi carp is designed to assimilate far more stubborn substances than laboratory manufactured koi food. These foods however will help you to avoid obese Koi and sick koi fish.
Koi Food Digestion Explained
In Koi carp, food is efficiently broken down into what is advantageous and what isn't. Nutritious goodness is digested and absorbed. Anything that isn't useful is expelled through its vent (anus).
This mechanical and physical process is aided by numerous food receptors that are highly sensitive to the presence of food. Koi are equipped with extremely good eye sight, a fantastic sense of smell and excellent hearing.
These highly tuned senses help the Koi to easily discern if they are about to receive a meal. You may have noticed that Koi appear to be excited and rise to the surface when they see a human presence, near the pond. They believe they are about to be fed.
When fish food or a tasty morsel, such as insect larvae enters the Koi's mouth it comes into contact with pharyngeal teeth. These teeth are perfect for grinding down the food substance into much smaller particles; these particles then pass into the Koi's digestive system.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/Koi_Digestion_Article.htm
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
Keep Koi Skin Healthy
Maintain Healthy Koi Skin
The majority of pond keepers who have Koi have them because of their beauty. Vivid colors and markings make these magnificent creatures a pleasure to behold.
In order to maintain this ornamental beauty it is important to ensure that you look after the Koi's skin in order to prevent serious skin infection on koi fishes.
I know! You are thinking that surely the color comes from the Koi carp's scales. It does, but contrary to popular belief, the scales are underneath a Koi's skin. This thin membrane is all that separates these delicate scales from the harsh realities of a pond environment.
By knowing what constitutes healthy skin you will also be able to spot early signs of possible disease and injuries.
What is the Purpose of Koi Skin?
As outlined earlier, the skin protects the delicate scales from the harsh realities of a fish pond; bacteria, rough objects, other fish. The skin acts as a barrier, providing a very important protective role by secreting mucus. This mucus fights off infection, bacteria and other fish skin problems.
When a Koi carp is stressed or living in a pond that contains poor pond water quality it produces extra mucus. This offers extra protection.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/koi_skin_care.html
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
The majority of pond keepers who have Koi have them because of their beauty. Vivid colors and markings make these magnificent creatures a pleasure to behold.
In order to maintain this ornamental beauty it is important to ensure that you look after the Koi's skin in order to prevent serious skin infection on koi fishes.
I know! You are thinking that surely the color comes from the Koi carp's scales. It does, but contrary to popular belief, the scales are underneath a Koi's skin. This thin membrane is all that separates these delicate scales from the harsh realities of a pond environment.
By knowing what constitutes healthy skin you will also be able to spot early signs of possible disease and injuries.
What is the Purpose of Koi Skin?
As outlined earlier, the skin protects the delicate scales from the harsh realities of a fish pond; bacteria, rough objects, other fish. The skin acts as a barrier, providing a very important protective role by secreting mucus. This mucus fights off infection, bacteria and other fish skin problems.
When a Koi carp is stressed or living in a pond that contains poor pond water quality it produces extra mucus. This offers extra protection.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/koi_skin_care.html
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
Breed Koi In Your Garden Pond
How To Successfully Breed Koi In Your Koi Pond
If you are really lucky, your Koi will breed and provide you with some new Koi to admire. Breeding Koi, however, isn't as simple as throwing together male and female Koi. They need the right conditions to be present. To ensure that this is the case you, as the pond keeper will need to do some preparation, in advance of their spawning season.
A male Koi reaches its optimum breeding condition at around 3 to 5 years of age; whilst a female Koi carp reaches her peak at between 4 to 6 years of age. The libido of Koi can be somewhat on the slow side. Believe it or not the best way to prepare your Koi for breeding is to condition them in about 1 year in advance.
The first thing you need to make sure of is that your Koi carp are healthy and well fed. Starting during the colder winter months you will need to place your Koi in what is termed a "hibernation cycle". This needs to be done for several months.
As the pond water temperature drops during the colder winter months, experienced in northern USA and northern Europe, your Koi will stop eating. As Koi carp spawn in spring they need to go through this cycle.
Preparing Your Koi Pond For Spawning
There are four main requirements needed in order to successfully breed Koi carp
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
If you are really lucky, your Koi will breed and provide you with some new Koi to admire. Breeding Koi, however, isn't as simple as throwing together male and female Koi. They need the right conditions to be present. To ensure that this is the case you, as the pond keeper will need to do some preparation, in advance of their spawning season.
A male Koi reaches its optimum breeding condition at around 3 to 5 years of age; whilst a female Koi carp reaches her peak at between 4 to 6 years of age. The libido of Koi can be somewhat on the slow side. Believe it or not the best way to prepare your Koi for breeding is to condition them in about 1 year in advance.
The first thing you need to make sure of is that your Koi carp are healthy and well fed. Starting during the colder winter months you will need to place your Koi in what is termed a "hibernation cycle". This needs to be done for several months.
As the pond water temperature drops during the colder winter months, experienced in northern USA and northern Europe, your Koi will stop eating. As Koi carp spawn in spring they need to go through this cycle.
Preparing Your Koi Pond For Spawning
There are four main requirements needed in order to successfully breed Koi carp
- Adequate media that provides a place where they can lay their eggs.
- The right pond water temperature.
- Privacy.
- Good water quality.
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
Japanese Names For Koi Carp
So How Do The Japanese Name Koi?
To those who are new to pond keeping please note that Koi, belong to the carp family, and are indigenous to Japan.
Many of the leading Koi carp breeders and experts are Japanese; not too surprising given that they have been dealing with these beautiful fish for hundreds of years.
Fortunately, however, you don’t need a thorough grasp of spoken Japanese, to be able to understand the meaning of Koi names. You may find some of the pronunciation a bit difficult though.
The Japanese language is fairly logical and the names they have attributed to Koi carp describe the patterns and colors of each variety.
Japanese terms used to describe Koi
The Japanese use specific words and terms to describe particularly varieties and features of Koi fish; including color, pattern and undesirable patterns or features.
In the Koi keeping world the ultimate winner is the Go Sanke varieties, of which there are three:
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
To those who are new to pond keeping please note that Koi, belong to the carp family, and are indigenous to Japan.
Many of the leading Koi carp breeders and experts are Japanese; not too surprising given that they have been dealing with these beautiful fish for hundreds of years.
Fortunately, however, you don’t need a thorough grasp of spoken Japanese, to be able to understand the meaning of Koi names. You may find some of the pronunciation a bit difficult though.
The Japanese language is fairly logical and the names they have attributed to Koi carp describe the patterns and colors of each variety.
Japanese terms used to describe Koi
The Japanese use specific words and terms to describe particularly varieties and features of Koi fish; including color, pattern and undesirable patterns or features.
In the Koi keeping world the ultimate winner is the Go Sanke varieties, of which there are three:
- Kohaku – A white Koi with a red pattern.
- Sanke – A white Koi with a red and black pattern.
- Showa – A black Koi that has a red and white pattern.
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
Have I Got Male or Female Koi
For the average pond keeper, differentiating between male and female Koi is no easy task. The task is a bit easier come spring time, however, with the onset of the mating season.
The task of identifying whether or not your baby Koi is male or female is almost impossible until he or she is mature enough to breed.
In the Koi world it is the female Koi that are larger than their male counterparts. In competitions it is usually female Koi that win the silver ware. Too bad fellas...
This is a generalization however because the size of a Koi depends upon several factors, including:
During the breeding season, male Koi carp will often exhibit small white bumps on their head, unlike their female counterparts.
During spawning the female Koi will release her eggs, ready for fertilization by male Koi. These eggs will need something to attach to.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/male_or_female_koi.html
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
The task of identifying whether or not your baby Koi is male or female is almost impossible until he or she is mature enough to breed.
In the Koi world it is the female Koi that are larger than their male counterparts. In competitions it is usually female Koi that win the silver ware. Too bad fellas...
This is a generalization however because the size of a Koi depends upon several factors, including:
- Pond size
- Koi diet
- The number of fish in the pond.
During the breeding season, male Koi carp will often exhibit small white bumps on their head, unlike their female counterparts.
During spawning the female Koi will release her eggs, ready for fertilization by male Koi. These eggs will need something to attach to.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/male_or_female_koi.html
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
What is Pond pH
Pond pH is a subject area that is frequently mentioned in pond keeping circles. Like Grammarian's i.e. those that study English Grammar, some people go one step too far and make the subject area all encompassing and mystical sounding.
In simple terms, the pH of any substance is a reading between 0 - 14; 0 being extremely acidic and 14 being extremely alkaline. A reading of 7 is what is known as a neutral pH.
Examples: Sulphuric acid has a very low pH and caustic soda has a high very high pH. A lower pH, indicates a stronger acid; the higher the pH, the stronger the alkali.
So from the above scale it can be deduced that anything with a pH of less than 7 is classed as acidic. pH is a logarithmic scale i.e. the difference between a pH of 6 and a pH of 7 is actually a difference of 10 points; not 1.
Common vinegar known chemically as acetic acid, whilst acidic is nowhere near as acidic or dangerous as Sulphuric acid. In fact acetic acid is commonly used in small doses on the famous English dish - fish and chips.
At the other end of the pH scale is caustic soda (pH of 14); a strong bases or alkali.
A weaker alkali is common baking soda or bicarbonate of soda (taken for upset stomachs).
When a strong alkaline solution is added to a strong acidic solution there is a tremendous amount of heat generated, along with vigorous activity, as a chemical reaction takes place.
So what has this got to do with my pond?
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/Not_another_pond_ph_article.html
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
In simple terms, the pH of any substance is a reading between 0 - 14; 0 being extremely acidic and 14 being extremely alkaline. A reading of 7 is what is known as a neutral pH.
Examples: Sulphuric acid has a very low pH and caustic soda has a high very high pH. A lower pH, indicates a stronger acid; the higher the pH, the stronger the alkali.
So from the above scale it can be deduced that anything with a pH of less than 7 is classed as acidic. pH is a logarithmic scale i.e. the difference between a pH of 6 and a pH of 7 is actually a difference of 10 points; not 1.
Common vinegar known chemically as acetic acid, whilst acidic is nowhere near as acidic or dangerous as Sulphuric acid. In fact acetic acid is commonly used in small doses on the famous English dish - fish and chips.
At the other end of the pH scale is caustic soda (pH of 14); a strong bases or alkali.
A weaker alkali is common baking soda or bicarbonate of soda (taken for upset stomachs).
When a strong alkaline solution is added to a strong acidic solution there is a tremendous amount of heat generated, along with vigorous activity, as a chemical reaction takes place.
So what has this got to do with my pond?
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/Not_another_pond_ph_article.html
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
Pond Plant Insects & Pond Plant Diseases
I recently received an email from a subscriber to my newsletter series, who lives in Australia.
Robert, was looking for some advice relating to to some of his aquatic water lily. His lilies appear to be under attack from a fungal infection, of some description; most probably Water Lily Crown Rot.
It struck me that despite all the articles I've written regarding pond keeping, I seldom write about pond plants.
So here goes...
Pond Plant Health & Factors Affecting Aquatic Pond Plants
The sight of crystal clear water, fishing swimming around, and decorative pond plants is a truly wonderful sight to behold.
The aim of the majority of pond keepers is to maintain this relaxing, tranquil image in the forefront of their minds. The last thing anyone wants is a fish pond containing decaying and lifeless aquatic plants.
Not only is this unsightly, but it also impacts upon the pond water in many ways; including: increased pond sludge, increased levels of ammonia and nitrite, changes to the pH of the water, increased levels of heterotrophic bacteria etc. All these eventually affect the health of pond fish and pond life.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/pond_plant_disease_insects.html
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
Robert, was looking for some advice relating to to some of his aquatic water lily. His lilies appear to be under attack from a fungal infection, of some description; most probably Water Lily Crown Rot.
It struck me that despite all the articles I've written regarding pond keeping, I seldom write about pond plants.
So here goes...
Pond Plant Health & Factors Affecting Aquatic Pond Plants
The sight of crystal clear water, fishing swimming around, and decorative pond plants is a truly wonderful sight to behold.
The aim of the majority of pond keepers is to maintain this relaxing, tranquil image in the forefront of their minds. The last thing anyone wants is a fish pond containing decaying and lifeless aquatic plants.
Not only is this unsightly, but it also impacts upon the pond water in many ways; including: increased pond sludge, increased levels of ammonia and nitrite, changes to the pH of the water, increased levels of heterotrophic bacteria etc. All these eventually affect the health of pond fish and pond life.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/pond_plant_disease_insects.html
Learn how to choose the right pond keeping equipment online, to save money, Guaranteed! Go to http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/ to learn everything you need to know NOW!
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