This stops the growth of your fish in the pond! Checklist for larger Koi:
Intro:
Hi, in this video we will talk about things that prevent your fish from growing in your pond. In our previous episode we talked about why Koi grow so fast in a mud pond in Japan, would you like to watch this video? I'll put a link at the end of this video.
As a pond owner, there is one thing we like and find important. Growing the fish. Whether it is goldfish or Japanese Koi. We want to see the fish develop and grow. Because let's be honest, big fish look great in a beautiful pond.
It is one of the most frequently asked questions I get every day: "How do I make my Koi grow as quickly as possible?" In this video we make a checklist for you so that you know what to take into account and what not to do. you get healthy and big fish.
DNA:
Before we start, it's important to know that not every fish grows to size. How exactly does that work? First of all, it has to do with where you buy your fish.
Many people with a pond buy their fish at a garden center. Most of the fish for sale here are usually bred in Europe. The parent animals used are different from those in Japan, for example. In addition, they often do not have the correct knowledge and bloodlines that they do in Japan.
It's good to know that in this video we focus on Japanese Koi.
But what are bloodlines? Koi have been bred in Japan for generations with bloodlines, in short: specific men and women with whom they are bred. These fish have certain special characteristics such as: size, body size, skin quality and colors. This is in the DNA of the Koi. This means that the fish that the breeders breed have the best combination of parent stock. But this does not guarantee that your Koi will grow big. There is more to this, when you buy Japanese Koi you are already well on your way, which increases the chance by 50% of getting large fish. It is quickly earned.
Space:
To get big fish, the fish need space. In Japan, the fish are given plenty of room to grow. This starts during the months of May and June when the fish are released into the mud pond in Japan. When the outdoor ponds are filled with melt water and the temperature is right, the fish are released to grow.
The fish are allowed to swim here until the end of October. A beautiful growing season after which they sit in the indoor ponds during the cold winter with lots of snow.
It is important to ensure that there are not too many fish in the pond. This gives the fish room to grow. This is in combination with the contents of your filter system, more about this later.
If you are planning to build a pond, I have a rule of thumb: bigger is better!
Nutrition:
As we discussed in our previous video, nutrition for Koi is extremely important! We don't grow up on fast food either and it is bad for our health.
This also applies to Koi, which is ultimately a carp.
But what can you do as a pond owner in terms of nutrition? Well, a lot!
Cheap is expensive. What I mean by that is that cheap fish pellets are often the "fast food" among koi food. I won't even get started on the pond sticks or colored granules! Don't feed this!
Get good advice, don't skimp on koi food and give your fish something extra during the summer and autumn, such as silkworms or other dried insects that carp can also find in nature.
And of course this also applies: this benefits the growth of your fish!
Filter - water values:
An important topic is filtration. Mechanically but especially biologically. I'll explain why: we as humans flush the toilet after a visit. This is more difficult for pond fish. We - as people - must provide clean water. You can do this by changing the water, for example 10 to 15% per week and good filtration.
Oxygen:
It is a topic that is not often discussed: oxygen! Oxygen is vital for Koi. You can never add too little oxygen. Both the fish and your biological filter need oxygen. There are breeders and dealers who swear by a lot of oxygen, which has a positive influence on the growth of the Koi.
Sex:
It sounds crazy, but did you know that women grow taller than men? A female Koi is known for its gigantic size and size, while the males have a beautiful color and skin quality and remain smaller.
Nowadays you can sometimes no longer see the difference between the two. However, the females are becoming larger and are also more popular with buyers.
Get your Pond Supplies here (OASE): bit.ly/3lZaq3t
USA Get you Koi here (SelectKoi): bit.ly/3DsrfK9
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