Koi and other pond fish are extremely easy to care for, besides being almost necessary because of the important role they play in your mini-ecosystem.
Overfeeding is the most common mistake when keeping koi. Although they may always be willing to keep eating, it is bad for them and contaminates the water in the ecosystem in many ways: one is causing the dreaded algal bloom. Only feed your koi what they can eat in a matter of minutes, once or twice a day at most.
As a matter of fact, you do not actually have to feed your fish: they may be better off finding their own food. It is not a problem for them to feed on algae and aquatic insects (mosqitoes/larvae).
If you are worried about the obvious problem of mosquitoes, it need not be an issue. As long as you have koi or similar fish, you can count on them to eat every single egg or larvae. Mosquitoes may be more prone to make a breeding ground out of your pond the stiller the water is. Every water feature has at least one small source of agitation from the waterfall/filter pump; this is already necessary to help mix oxygen into the water for the fish. Point being if there is any standing water in your feature, you needn’t worry with the presence of koi.
So, keeping fish actually means less pond maintenance, not more.
When the temperature drops below 50 F, it is not necessary to feed the fish.
Koi Types: Kohaku: white with red markings, Sanke: white base with red and black markings, Showa: red and white markings with a black base, Tancho: Kohaky, Sanke, and Showa with a red marking on the head and no hi [color] on the body, Hikarimujil: singular uniform color, Utsurimono: black with white, red, or yellow markings
Besides koi, the most common type of fish kept in ponds is the goldfish, as these are both members of the carp family. Typical varieties of goldfish are shubunkin, comet, calico, oranda, and the golden orfe.
Of course, tropical fish varieties can be kept in outdoor ponds during the warmest months . But, this may not be the very best idea, since you should surely remove them long before the cold sets in: use your best discretion. You would be transfering them just like tropical plants, except losing a plant may be more devastating than losing fish.
Speak with out Water Feature Specialist in person to find out more about: Fish Diseases, Water Quality, Predator Control, Hiding Places and Preparing for Winter
The Basics and Types of Water Features
Filtration Methods and Importance
Types of Aquatic Plants for Your Feature
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Request a general Water Feature Estimate (entirely new or 'retrofit')
