Keeping Koi Carp.

[cornish wood burner]

And an even better result, tonight while pond watching with the Mrs as the Sun went down, spotted some activity, so flicked in a couple of feed pellets, at least 12 fish, some Koi, some Sheebunkin, though hard to count.

Do they prefer to feed after the Sun goes down btw?

Strangly fascinating watching them.

m

 

Good result. Normal pond koi seem to feed anytime but if your fish are on the timid side then sundown will probably be best. Easier on their eyes. They love bread but if they are nervous taking from the surface or are not used to it, give the pieces a a squeeze so they sink. Normally then taken as it sinks. Great way of getting the fish to know you. In moderation though and if you feed sinking food make sure the fish are eating it as there is obviously a danger of pollution.

[difflock]

OK,

So when can we expect to see them emerging from "hibernation", I appreciate it takes time for the water to warm up, esp at our relatively northern latitude.

PS

Considering introducing some frogspawn, iffen the frogs dont.

Presumably this should not cause problems.

Not concerned at the fish eating the spawn or tadpoles obviously.

m

[charlie6]

Mine are active and feeding now but they are big and greedy. Feed only wheatgerm until the water temp gets into mid teens.

[cornish wood burner]

OK,

So when can we expect to see them emerging from "hibernation", I appreciate it takes time for the water to warm up, esp at our relatively northern latitude.

PS

Considering introducing some frogspawn, iffen the frogs dont.

Presumably this should not cause problems.

Not concerned at the fish eating the spawn or tadpoles obviously.

m[/quote

Its a natural pond so frogs, toads newts snakes etc will find it at some point anyway.

I expect your fish will be feeding soon, they might search out the natural food lower in the pond before they surface though.

Fed mine a couple of times in the last week as they were looking for food. Warmer here in cornwall so water soon gets to 10 deg which is a safe feeding temperature.

[difflock]

thanks

[kentjames]

Well I'm late into this thread but can offer a fair bit of advice to anyone needing it as I used to be a koi dealer and import fish direct from the breeders in japan and build very large lush koi ponds

 

This time of the year, in an unheated pond, avoid being too quick to feed the fish until the temps are actually stable and the filter bacteria have compensated for being few in number over the winter period.

 

I'll add some pics here of my own 6000 gallon heated pond which runs two ultra sieves two pods and a double bakki shower. In the pics is a pic of the 4 x 3ft viewing window in which are 10 Chagoi but i have recently sold 8 of the lesser ones back to a koi dealer friend.

[difflock]

Not yet feeding, nor will I until some fish have been seen.

Unless the Heron had them away over the winter!

Pond is directly beneath the local Herons flight path while feeding their young each year.

[kentjames]

I had a heron sit on top of the pergola the other day but since the 1 inch thick polycarbonate covers are on, its pondering was somewhat pointless

[Sussex Groundie]

I have looked after several Koi setups over time in different places, all run triple filter sustems, waterfalls and at the first one I installed "air bricks" to aid oxygenation.

[woodyguy]

Frogs and koi aren't a great mix. You may get some anyway but I'd avoid putting them in. Mating frogs can clamp onto koi's head (sounds bizarre but true) and damage them.