Koi Fish Breeding

Koi fish, the beautiful, ornamental Japanese fish, are very popular and make excellent pond fish. They are very attractive and come in vibrant colors. Many people choose to have a pond in their garden as they add a beautiful look to the garden due to their brilliant ornamental quality, and also they are comparatively easy to take care of. These brightly colored fish are a pleasant sight to the eyes.

Breeding Koi fish is a grueling task. It requires proper planning while taking care of certain factors like temperature, high quality food, habitat, etc. Apart from these, you need to choose the male and female koi fish with care taking into consideration their age and health. Besides, extensive research and practical experience is necessary to ensure successful breeding.

Koi fish tend to breed once a year, during the early summer season when there is a change in temperature. The ideal temperature of water for the eggs to be released is 20ºC. The breeding is also affected by the length of the day. When the days are longer, the eggs mature much faster. Plenty of natural foods like algae are formed in the ponds during the summer season. This food is crucial for the growth and survival of the fry.

Koi fish grow up to two feet in length, and so they require a big pond. Ideally, the pond should be at least four to five feet deep with minimum 1000 gallons of water. The pH level of the water should be 7.4 to 7.5. Ensure that the pH is not less than 7.0 because it is the neutral value. If the pH level is below 7.0, the water is acidic and this may destroy it.

There should be continuous oxygen supply in the pond, so you will need good oxygen pumps. Keep these pumps working throughout the night too. Low oxygen levels are not ideal for Koi fish. The water in the pond should be regularly aerated and the pond should be free of ammonia, chlorine, chemicals and parasites. Cover the pond with nets to keep out predators like cats. Water hyacinths can be planted in the pond as this might help the fish build its spawning spaces. You can even use any other synthetic material that are available in the pet stores. Check all these materials for chemicals and parasites before introducing them in the pond.

Prior to breeding, the Koi fish must be fed properly with protein rich foods and, if possible, should be isolated. Too young or too old fish are not good for breeding. Once the female is loaded with eggs, she bloats up. This is the time when you introduce a male Koi fish in the pond. The ratio of male Koi fish to female Koi fish must be 1:1. Do not add more than two males as this may leave the female battered after spawning and the breeding process will not be successful.

The spawning process begins once the males and females are together in the pond. The water may become cloudy and odorous. Create a safe nest for the female to lay the eggs. Introduce artificial nests or put twigs in the pond for the fish to build a nest. Around thousand eggs can be released by the females during spawning. Spawning generally takes place in the early morning.

After the spawning process, the males and females should be separated from each other so that they may recover from the process. Special attention needs to be given to the males as they tend to become infected after the spawning process.

A separate pond needs to be created in advance, for the hatching of the eggs. This pond should preferably be made from clay. The water in this pond needs to be aerated regularly and there should be no chemicals in the pond. Maintain the pH level to 7.5 and introduce an oxygen pump. Also, make sure that there are no flies or parasites in the water before transferring the eggs. Allow algae to grow, for the fry to feed on.

Once the eggs are released, transfer them to this pond. As Koi fish eat their own eggs, it's necessary to remove the eggs from the fish tank as soon as they are laid. These eggs are sticky and hence require careful handling. The eggs hatch within a week. The fry survives on the food from the egg for the first day after which it needs to be fed at least four to five times a day for the first few months. While feeding Koi fish, be extremely careful as overfeeding kills them.

Amongst the many pond fish types, Koi is the most exquisite fish. Breeding it can be very interesting if you have an eye for detail and understand the basic requirements of fish care. So, follow the above guidelines to assure successful breeding!