Adding new fish to a pond isn’t as simple as opening a bag and dropping them in. Depending on whether you have a new pond without any fish or a seasoned pond with existing fish you will need to know what to do. By the end of this article you will know exactly how to welcome your new fish.
The steps to add fish to your pond will differ depending on if it is already stocked. First, make sure you know how many Koi your pond can handle. Assume your Koi will mature into large fish within a few years. Limit your Koi to no less than 300 gallons of water per Koi.
You can have a higher ratio of water to the number of Koi, but do not go lower. Too many Koi in a pond will cause serious water problems and your Koi will become sick.
Stocking a new pond is not something you do immediately after your pond is complete. Most experts suggest waiting between 4-8 weeks before adding the first fish. The most reliable method of preventing new pond problems is to add your fish gradually. You will be watching for signs of stress.
If a pond is stocked quickly with too many fish, then more ammonia is released into a pond than the immature filter can handle. The filter develops beneficial bacteria in a few weeks naturally but takes several months to fully form enough bacteria to be 100% functional.
This is the main reason you will add a few fish at a time and wait several weeks before putting the first fish in. To put your first fish in, place the bag of fish in the water and wait at least 20 minutes for the temperature of the water to equalize. Open the bag and release your Koi.
Adding Koi to an existing pond takes a bit more work. The new fish must be placed in a quarantine tank for 2-3 weeks. This is to ensure your new fish are not sick. You do not want your existing fish to become sick because they have new friends.
Once you know the new fish are healthy, then you can begin the process of moving the fish to their new home.
If you are using a heater in the quarantine tank, then turn it off a day prior to moving the fish. Don’t add new fish to your pond unless it is during the warm months. Time spent in a quarantine tank won’t matter if they are transferred to a cold pond.
Moving them to a cold pond shuts down their immune system. This is when they will need their immune system the most because changes cause the Koi stress. Stress can cause disease.
Check the water temperature in the quarantine tank and pond. If there is more than a 5 degree difference (normally there is) then you will need to put the fish in a bag. The bag should have enough water to cover the fish. Rubber band it closed.
Place the bag in the pond water and let it float for 20 minutes.
Open the bag and release your Koi.
In summary, you will need to make sure a new pond is ready for the fish and that any new fish are put into quarantine. These precautions will help your Koi adjust to their new home in their waterfall pond. Now sit back and enjoy your beautiful Koi pond!
Vickie Talley
Knight Enterprises LLC
www.pondfiltersandmore.com
