Like dogs and cats, Koi require proper care in order to live a healthy and happy life. Fish are often misunderstood and abused due to the fact that they cannot be as expressive as many of the other pets that we own. However, just like our other pets, koi fish require a clean habitat in order to survive. It is necessary that you take a few simple steps to ensure the best home for your fish as possible.
The most important aspect of koi care is keeping the pond clean. If you feed your koi properly (which means limited amounts on a set schedule) you will only need to clean your pond twice a year outside of emergencies. Standard cleaning schedules for a koi pond are once in the spring and once in the fall. The spring cleaning recovers a pond from the winter season while the fall cleaning prepares a pond for the winter season. Cleaning a pond in the summer is unnecessary unless there is an emergency.
If you are uncertain of whether or not there is an emergency in your pond, there are a few things that you can keep an eye on. Most of all, if your fish are constantly going to the surface of the water, there is likely something wrong with the pond. While it is natural for koi to go to the surface to feed, they should not be constantly agitating the surface of the water. If your fish appear to be putting their mouths above the surface of the water and are not hunting for food, you should immediately perform water tests. Water tests will tell you if there has been a drop in oxygen in the water or a spike of nutrients. Both of these can cause your fish to behave outside of their normal patterns. Another sign to watch out for are fish that are extremely lethargic. While koi are slow and stately fish, they should not be motionless.
Other signs to watch out for include cloudy water, visible scum and heavy blooms of algae in the pond. If you notice these things, you should inquire to your cleaner and find out if a mid-season cleaning is necessary. When you have your pond cleaned in this situation, ensure that the source of the problem has been found and resolved.
Do not over-feed your fish. This can cause your pond to become dirty very quickly. Unlike cats and dogs, koi do not need to be fed daily. Set up a feeding schedule for your fish to best ensure their health. Less frequent feeding will also mean less frequent cleaning. That said, you should never starve your fish. They do need fed every few days to ensure their health.
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