Koi is a carp type ornamental fish originating from Japan, still a relative of goldfish. In the original country, the koi is called Nishikigoi. With beautiful color motifs, it's no wonder that this one fish has become a favorite pet fish for many people.
But to maintain koi fish can be said to be easy, it takes time and special handling. Naturally, it needs special handling, because this fish is quite expensive compared to other types of ornamental fish. Moreover, koi imported directly from Japan, for a size of 10-20cm, the price is around a million and above per tail.
In Indonesia alone, koi lovers have spread throughout the archipelago. For example in the my area (Tangerang), there is a community called TKC (Tangerang Koi Club). In Jakarta there is the Jakarta Koi Club. They always hold contests that are routinely held every year.
For koi cultivation, in Indonesia there are koi producing areas that have quality not inferior to Japan, namely Blitar, East Java. In addition, Bogor and Sukabumi, West Java also produce local koi which are no less good quality. Cara Memelihara ikan koi.
How to Maintain Koi Fish for Beginners
If you want to take care of koi fish, or just plan to keep these fish, try to look at some of the following 4 main things:
1. Maintenance Pool
Koi are fish commonly kept in ponds. You can keep this fish in the aquarium, but you will not be able to see the beauty of the koi when viewed from the side. If from the pool, you can look at the top of the fish's body, that's where the beauty is.
An alternative to the pool is to use a tarpaulin pool. Maybe this is a more concise way, so you don't have to bother making a pool. And it doesn't need to cost a lot for sure.
For a pool size, bigger is better of course. Make the pool not too fast. Next, make a special room beside the chamber which is used to filter water, it can be 3 or 4 spaces. Each room contains filtration media separately.
The pool itself should not be directly exposed to sunlight. Because if you are directly exposed to light, the pool will easily moss. How to deal with the pool so that it is not easily mossy is to use an ultraviolet lamp.
We recommend that the fish you just bought do not directly enter the pool combined with other fish. This is to avoid transmission of diseases from new fish. Even if the new fish is sterile, but at least it is necessary to take preventive measures just in case. In addition, quarantining fish is also intended to ensure that new fish adapt to the conditions of pond water.
2. Water Quality
In maintaining koi fish, water quality cannot be ignored. Think about it, fish are creatures that live in water, automatically the source of their lives must be numbered together.
Not good water conditions are like air full of pollution for humans.
If the water conditions are bad, then don't be surprised if koi fish are susceptible to various diseases. Even more if you take care of imported koi fish, you cannot compromise on water quality anymore. They are more susceptible to disease than local koi. This is because they are not accustomed to the water conditions in Indonesia, unlike the local koi who have been born and raised with local water conditions.
To support water quality, special medicines are needed that function as anti-bacteria for fish. The most common is using coarse salt. Salt itself is believed to kill various kinds of bacteria and parasites which are harmful to koi fish.
3. Koi Fish Food
High protein foods are great for koi fish. For additional food, it is recommended to use wheat germ and spirulina.
Each of these foods has its own benefits for koi fish. Like high-protein foods good for fish growth. Spirulina is believed to increase the brightness of the color, where the brighter the color of the koi fish, the better the quality and the more expensive the price. Wheat germ is great for fish bodies to make them slimmer and more proportionate (like torpedoes). There are also those who argue that wheat germ is good for raising the white color of koi fish.
Usually pellets for koi fish are made specifically. There are special spirulina, wheat germ and high protein. So generally hobbysts will buy these three types of pellets to balance the fish diet.
In feeding, koi fish should not be fed too often. This is because the dirt will contaminate the water. And again if the feed does not run out, the pellets will dissolve in water. This is also not good for water quality.
Indeed, the moments of feeding fish are the most awaited moment. But still be wise in feeding. Maybe 2-3 times a day is enough, of course with no leftovers left.
4. Supporting Equipment
Supporting equipment such as filtration systems, head pumps, heaters or medicines are also important in treating koi fish.
But the most mandatory is the head pump to pump and circulate water and filtration media to maintain water quality.
Usually in a koi pond, water after passing through filtration will be lifted again by the head pump to an artificial waterfall. This means aesthetic value and also better flow and oxygen.
Filtration media for koi ponds can vary. The most common are bio ball, mat and cotton foam. Usually every hobbyist has their own filtration mix, based on their knowledge and experience.
Additional medicines that are supporting such as fish dung bacteria, antifungal and coarse salt.
For additional equipment such as aerators it may be needed for dead spots (places that are less current / oxygen).
In winter, heaters may be needed to increase the water temperature. Fish that are being quarantined due to illness also need a heater to kill germs.
Those are some ways to maintain koi fish for beginners. Some of the tips above are also a consideration for those who want to care for koi fish.
