Koi Fish Tank

We are going to start by saying that there is only one way to build a pond, Koi fish tank and that is the right way. There can be no shortcuts! It has been our experience that 'owner-builders' always spend double on their pond before getting it to work properly the Koi fish tank. Using the correct building materials the Koi fish tank, bio filters, pumps, UV lights etc is imperative and will not only ensure your pond works, but ensures it will never leak.

Whether we build the Koi fish tank ponds from scratch of repair them, once we have filled the pond with water we allow it to run for at lease 10days to ensure all toxins are removed the Koi fish tank and that the PH and salt levels are 100% before putting fish back in.

Not to scare anybody away, but building the Koi fish tank a pond is a costly exercise. Depending on the size of the pond you require, the Koi fish tank can start from R50,000 for 10,000 litres. However, on a positive note, the pleasure of the Koi fish tank you will get from a clean, healthy, leak free pond with happy fish is very rewarding indeed!

Winter the Koi fish tank

As we are nearing Winter, we would suggest building ponds the Koi fish tank during these months. Obviously weather in Gauteng is a positive as it rarely rains so your pond (depending on the size) can be built and have fish in it in under a month. Another positive is that once the water goes under 10degrees, fish go into 'hiernation' and do not need to be fed as much as in the warmer months. In fact, the Japanese stop feeding their Koi fish tank when the water temperature goes below 14degrees.


Lastly, a point to remember - if you've invested in the Koi fish tank they need a beautiful home where they can grow and flourish. It can be an easy task or a tiresome one to keep them happy.

The Koi Fish Tank
Koi fish, otherwise known as Japanese fancy carp, are beautiful fish with colorful skin and unique patterns. Koi fish come in so many different colors and patterns that once you begin collecting them, you'll want one of each. Of course this isn't an easy task as there are hundreds even thousands of different Koi fish.

Koi fish make interesting pets and taking care of them is a great hobby. Once you start keeping Koi, you won't stop. Sooner or later you're going to want a larger pond, more fish, a more aesthetic pond for your fish, and to even start breeding your own Koi. But don't worry because with our site, you can find the information and resources you need to complete all of those things and more!

Koi fish video

The Japanese first began giving Koi fish as gifts to friends and soon it became a huge hit all around the world. Now Koi fish aren't just in Japan, but all over the world dazzling people with their unique appearances.

Koi Fish Tank, fish Pond Builders and Koi Pond Repair

Over time, a classification system developed according to their color variations and qualities, and now, there is an accepted categorization by which koi varieties are known by. Depending on the quality of their colors, rarity, patterning and sheen, the price of koi vary from a few dollars, to thousands of dollars each. They have become very popular indeed in many countries around the world now, and we’re all now exposed to the language and technologies of the Japanese when it comes to koi breeding and cultivation. Here's a video with the different varieties of koi, including colors:

Utsurimono Koi

Utsurimono

The black Koi with a colored pattern.

               
Shiro Utsuri                    Hi Utsuri                    Ki Utsuri

Asagi

The blue/grey Koi with a red pattern.

       
Asagi                        Shusui

Tancho

The Koi with a pattern only on their Maruten spots.

               
Tancho Goromo        Tancho Goshiki        Tancho Kohaku

       
Tancho Kujaku        Tancho Sanke

Hikarimono

The metallic Koi with only one color for a pattern.

               
Nezu Ogon                   Orenji Ogon             Platinum Ogon

Yamabuki Ogon

Goromo

The Koi that have black shading over their patterns.

               
Ai goromo                 Budo Goromo            Sumi Goromo

Hikarimoyo

Koi that have metallic patterns.

       
Kin Showa                    Kujaku

Yamato Nishiki

       
Doitsu Hariwake               Kikusui        

Matsuba

These Koi have a grey shading pattern on their scales.

       
Shiro Matsuba            Aka Matsuba

Gosanke Koi

These three are the most popular in Japan, the Kohaku, the Showa, and the Sanke.

               
Kohaku                        Sanke                        Showa

Bekko

The colored Koi with a black pattern.

               
Shiro Bekko                Ki Bekko                Aka Bekko

Freshwater Fish

Welcome to the Koi Fish Blog!
 
If you are new visitor, I want you to know that you are a valued visitor to my site, and you are welcomed to include your comments, rate my blog, review it, submit your fish photo, etc. Please bookmark this site or add it to your RSS feed if you like it. 

If you are frequent visitor, I want you to know that you are a treasured visitor, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for checking back often and support my passion by reading my blog.
Below are all the articles on fish that are available in this blog at this moment, sorted alphabetically. This blog is fairly new, being launched in mid-Mar 2006 only, and therefore there are not many articles yet. I will be adding new a fish datasheet weekly. So check back often! If you are seeking information on a specific fish that I have not added to this blog, I welcome your suggestions. Please email me.
Above all, I hope you enjoy the articles - each articles is slowly created, and includes a datasheet, habitat/care, diet information, disease information, variants of the fish, and a photo gallery.

Algae Eater Angelfish Arowana (popular) Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish) (popular) Black Knife Ghost Fish Black Widow Tetra Blood Parrot Cherry Barb Clown Loach Congo Tetra Corydoras Danio Discus Fish Glowlight Tetra Gold Fish (popular) Gourami Guppy Harlequin Rasbora Koi (popular) Kribensis Molly Neon Tetra Platy Ram Cichlids (New) Red Tail Black Shark (New) Rummy Nose Tetra Severum Swordtail Teacup Stingray Tiger Barbs

Koi Fish Tank

Koi are large domesticated carp commonly kept in backyard ponds. Some koi are exceptional specimens, called "show koi" and can be very expensive. Many pondkeepers keep less expensive pet koi; they may not have perfect colors and markings, but they are great pets. There are many koi varieties available to the koikeeper, including Asagi, Bekko, Doitsu, Kohaku, Sanke, Showa, Tancho and Utsuri, and they all make great pets. When stocking the koi pond, make sure to provide at least 100 to 200 gallons per adult koi fish. Larger jumbo koi should be in larger ponds that have 1,000 gallons per koi.

Here’s a chart of the popular koi fish for reference. You’ll no doubt get to know the names even more intimately when you look at koi fish for sale, or at auctions

Koi Colors

Koi Colors

The beauty of Nishikigoi, or koi fish, is that they come in a variety of colors and diverse patterns that never cease to amaze its audience. With a name that literally means brocaded or decorated carps, they continue to captivate many people with their unending assortment of colors and varieties. Koi colors vary depending on their classification, although hobbyists continue to develop different types and classifications for these magnificent aquatic creatures.

To be able to easily identify the many types of this fish, familiarity with koi colors is important. For example, Bekko can be easily recognized since its main characteristic is a single colored koi with black stone patterns (or sumi) on their body; Shiro Bekko is white-skinned, Aka Bekko is red-skinned, and Ki Bekko (which is the rarely seen) has a striking bright lemon yellow color.

Many features are also included to their already beautiful colors. In the case of Hikarimono (also known as Ogon koi), where the fish are single-colored, they have metallic scales that adds luster to their features. The name Hikarimono is a derivative of the Japanese word "hikari" meaning metallic, and the word "mono" that refers to its characteristic of being single-colored. These days, this variety is commonly being crossbred with GinRin (which means silver "Gin", and gold "Rin") to create an effect for scales that are even shinier than the common metallic koi fish.

Care For Your New Koi

1. It is always a good idea to quarantine every new fish. That way you can avoid introducing new bacteria or parasites to your main pond. In addition, it gives the new fish a chance to settle down after a long ride and release all the stress from shipping.

2. When fish arrived, place the whole bag with fish in it into the quarantine tank(Q-tank) or pond where you intend to release the fish for 30 minutes. This allow the water temperature with fish in the bag to equalize slowly to the new water temperature of your pond or Q-tank. Otherwise, the rapid change in water temperature can shock to the fish and may be harmful. However, if the fish is lying on its side or appear weak, then release the fish immediately into your pond. These can signs of lacking oxygen or high level of ammonia and extremely stressed fish.

3. After 30 minutes or so, release the koi into your pond and discard all the water. Avoid letting the water from the bag into your pond as much as possible.

4. Cover the tank with net to prevent koi from jumping out of your pond or Q-tank. Remember, this is one of the most common way koi died from. Also provide a quiet and dark environment for the new koi to release stress.

5. Start feeding when they appear to be healthy and active. Usually a new koi can start eating in several hours after being released into the new pond. Sometimes it may take them a couple of days to adjust to the new environment and start eating again. Don't overfeed, this can can create more problems with digestion and poor water condition.

6. If you do quarantine your new koi, it should be for at least 3 weeks or more. When thay seem healthy and strong, then you can introduce them into your main pond. Make sure when you adding new koi, the water temperature has to be similar and not more than several degree differences. A significant differences in water temperature can cause a koi to go into shock and die. Very important to remember, a 20 degrees change in water temperature in less than 24 hours can shock the fish and may be fatal because it's not enough time for them readjust.

It's a good idea for koi hobbyists in cold region to keep small koi, new koi, and weak koi inside during winter season because they might not be able to withstand the cold and fasting when temperature drop below 55 degrees.

Saltwater & Marine Fish

No one offers a better selection of healthy marine fish for the saltwater aquarium than LiveAquaria.com. From angels, to clownfish, gobies, tangs, wrasse and more... The finest specimens in the world are just a click away. PLUS! Every fish we sell comes with our risk-free 14-Day Arrive Alive, Stay Alive® Guarantee. Information Center: -  Acclimation Guide -  Ideal Water Parameters -  Compatibility Chart -  Shipping Schedule -  Set-up -  Prevent Marine Ich   44 categories to choose from: