How to Decide on the Right Koi for Your Pond

There’s a myth that there was a group of koi in ancient times that swam for a hundred years up a waterfall, never giving up. One of the koi finally reached the top of the waterfall and was rewarded for its perseverance by turning into a golden dragon. You can see from this myth that koi are thought of as amazing creatures, and it’s stories like these that make them such popular fish. When choosing koi for your pond, here are some things to consider for selecting the best fish, brought to you by the staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a leading provider of koi pond supplies.

Choose from the Many Different Types of Koi

There are approximately 100 different types of koi, so choosing the right one for you may be a challenge. You may prefer to have smaller fish in your pond, or you may prefer larger fish (though keep in mind the smaller ones will grow into larger ones, so don’t overstock your pond). With so many choices, it’s necessary to do some research to make sure you understand the uniqueness of each of the different koi so you can make the best decision.

Pick the Colors

Koi are beautiful when they’re fully grown, but younger, smaller fish may not have the same attractive colors as older fish. As koi grow and mature, their colors can change dramatically, so it’s important to keep this in mind when selecting your fish. You may want to do some research on colors and how they change over time, because what may look less interesting today on a younger fish may look amazing as the fish matures, and vice versa.

Watch for Unhealthy Fish

Once you’ve narrowed down what kind of koi you’d like for your pond, you’ll want to select healthy koi. This isn’t a problem when shopping at Aquatic Warehouse, but a lot of retailers receive their koi from high-production farms that carry a lot of small injuries and are prone to disease. Try to look at koi in a group if you can, and look for fish that are oriented with their heads pointed down at an angle. Healthy koi will swim smoothly in the water, and their movement shouldn’t be agitated or listless. You should pick koi that are free of genetic malformations or parasites. Also make sure the koi’s body shape is full and aesthetically pleasing.

Examine the Fish without Distractions

If you’ve found a koi you like, take a few moments to examine it away from the group in a separate tub or bowl. Make sure its eyes aren’t cloudy, its body and mouth are both symmetrical, all of its fins and tail are intact, and its scales are smooth.

Make Sure You Like the Fish

This is an important factor many people may not take into account, but you need to like the fish you’re purchasing. After you’ve determined what you want and have found a healthy koi, ask yourself whether or not you’ll be completely happy with your purchase.

To ensure you maintain a healthy environment for your koi, don’t forget to purchase all the necessary supplies for your pond. From filters to pond vacuums, Aquatic Warehouse has everything you need. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, check out our website, or give us a call at 858-467-9297.