New to Koi Keeping

dragondan82 · 10-10-2011, 01:58 PM

Hello All,

I am new to Koi keeping,My pond is filtered and I am looking to stock it I will appreciate any advice people can give, so I can make the pond enjoyable for me and my family.

I was in my local Aquatic Shop ' The Japanese Koi Company' at the weekend and they have got what looks like a silly sale on, upto 75% off, they have some koi there that were £300 and now £75, I must admit the quality of the fish looked good, not that I properly know what I am looking at.

Thanks in advance Dan

ryhno · 10-10-2011, 02:23 PM

hi dan and welcome to the site

i am quite new to the hobby myself but i would be a bit concerned about stocking your pond now as the cold weather is not far away im presuming that youir pond is unheated ...there is loads of experianced guys on here who will know better but whilst stocking mine thoughout the summer i was advised not to leave it to close to winter to stock as the fish need to aclimatise over time before the onset of winter

regards

kevin

Doghouse Riley · 10-10-2011, 02:37 PM

Hi Dan, welcome to the board.

Kevin is right and the sale's on because the vendors don't want the trouble and expense of keeping the fish through the winter. They usually drain off their koi tanks for much of the cold weather.
Give us some more information about your set up and photos are always helpful.
Buying fish at this time of the year can result in problems.
If you've not kept koi before you'd be advised to have some "back-up" facilities.
Most of us have them.
Koi are more susceptible to illnesses which a "fairground prize goldfish would laugh at."

Nothings worse than;

It's a cold, rainy, dark night.

You've just come home from work,

Your wife casually announces, "I think there's something wrong with one of your fish..."

and all you've got,

Is an umbrella... a bucket... and a torch!

miles41 · 10-10-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley

Nothings worse than;

It's a cold, rainy, dark night.

You've just come home from work,

Your wife casually announces, "I think there's something wrong with one of your fish..."

and all you've got,

Is an umbrella... a bucket... and a torch!

Funny as that quote above is

it is actually very true. Lots of 'sales' on at various koi dealers at this time of year. DHR is right with his advice! Best to wait till next year - hard as that is

Davej · 10-10-2011, 08:22 PM

Hi Dan and a warm welcome to the forum.

The Guys are right that buying new fish at this time of the year can cause a few problems. It can be done but carries much more risk.

First off - tell us a little more about your pond and filters.

Dave