Japanese Fish of Love

The carp that travelled to Japan from China, gained tremendously in colour and beauty: thanks to the Japanese breeders! And it is this 'Brocaded carp' that the world knows as Koi today. Literally 'Koi' means 'carp' (both common and ornamental species) in Japanese. The ornamental domesticated fish that we know as Koi is actually 'nishikigoi' in Japanese. Whatever the history and linguistics facts be, for us Koi is the beautiful, colourful, adaptable, domesticated pond fish.

Before we start talking in detail about the Koi fish keeping, let's first look at some of the interesting benefits of having a Koi pond or say having a Koi in your pond (Koi co-exists well with other fish. So you can keep it with the ones you already have).

** It will add a spectrum of beauty to your garden environment.

You will be able to establish a special bond with your Koi. They will feed from your hand once they gain confidence in you. Needless to say, this is the ultimate that one can expect from a pet. And a 'rare ultimate' when it comes to fish.

** If you are (or will be) a breeder, a Koi means thousands!

Believe in Feng Shui? Koi is believed to bring good luck.

Some symbolism...? Koi is considered to be a symbol of love and friendship in Japan.

** Koi is 'elite'. Yes... keeping Koi is a status symbol; your garden's style statement.

Some other benefits that do not have any scientific evidence but have been talked about by Koi owners are:

* A Koi pond adds value to your property. If you are looking to sell yours, adding a Koi pond might increase the rates and the possibility of selling quickly.

* Spending some time by a Koi pond has been reported to be a great stress reliever.

If you are venturing into the Koi hobby, it is worth noting that rearing Koi is not like having any other simple ornamental fish in an aquarium or a fish tank. Even if you do not want to be a breeder and are interested in keeping Koi solely for ornamental purpose, some research and preparation is a must. You will need a pond with proper size and systems in place. Seasonal changes would require some adjustments in order to keep Koi healthy. For example, feeding Koi requires to be 'almost stopped' in peak winters. All these aspects need to be taken care of and a fair degree of expertise is required at every step from selecting your Koi to creating Koi specific conditions.

Also, Koi is an expensive affair. The fish itself will cost you some handsome bucks. And you can't keep one. You will have to have a group of at least three of them; as experts recommend. You will also have to spend on building a pond or enlarging an existing one to suit the needs of Koi. Also, you will need to install proper purification systems and pumps, which is again a fairly big investment.

Another important aspect to be considered is the safety of your Koi. This fish being extremely attractive is an easy attention seeker for the aerial predators. So you will need to grow trees in order to block their vision. Also, the depth of the pond will need to be increased not only as required by Koi but also as a safe guard against cranes and other such hunters, if they are a problem in your area. You might also need to use nets over the pond.

Three Effective Ways to Protect Your Ornamental Fish From Predatory Herons

As any koi or goldfish garden owner knows, an unwelcome visit from a hungry heron can completely annihilate a fish population. Furthermore, heron activity can create additional problems, including the transfer of fish diseases, traumatic stress on the surviving fish, and damage to the pond liner. If you have ever encountered one of these massive birds of prey, you know that they are tenacious and extremely persistent. Once they have discovered your pond, they can be expected to return again and again until they have killed or eaten all of your prized fish. Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to protect your koi and goldfish from these aggressive avian predators.

Create a barrier over your pond

The most effective method of protecting your fish from heron predation is to cover your pond with netting. However, over-the-pond netting is not invisible and can distract from the aesthetic appearance of the pond. When appearance is an issue, some pond owners will opt to use pond netting after the threat has been discovered to deter future visits.

Create a hiding place for your fish

Fish are very reactive to herons and will instinctively try to hide when they recognize their presence. Floating plants, both natural and artificial, make excellent hiding places. You can also try a tunnel-shaped net that rests securely on the bottom of your pond, available at pond supply stores.

Discourage the heron from visiting your pond

Herons are territorial creatures and are known to fish alone. That's why imitation herons, in the form of statues, are a popular fixture near many koi ponds. However, herons are much too clever to be fooled by a motionless "bird", and usually return after the ruse has been discovered. A better option is a motion-activated device that emits water or sound when the heron approaches. These devices have been shown to be very effective at frightening herons away and discouraging their return.

The method you use to protect your pond will depend on the size, depth, and location. To get the best results, you may need to combine several of these techniques.

Tropical Ornamental Fish Aquaria - Information You Should Know

Tropical Ornamental fish aquaria are always an attractive add to your decoration design. Moreover, fish are marvelous pets that are liked by many. Are you new to this hobby? Are you planning on installing your first aquarium?

Well, first of all you must choose which types of tropical fish you are going to pet. Different types of ornamental fish require different types of aquaria. Moreover, take care that your chosen fish pets could actually co-live in the same aquarium. The internet is full of websites reviewing all types of aquaria, so just spare some time and you will find what suits you.

Ornamental fish are like any living creature; they breathe, eat and excrete waste products. A convenient oxygen pump is an important element in the health and survival of your pet fish. The power supply of the pump should be secured in an area to prevent accidental unplugging which can kill your fish in a few hours. Ordinary tap water is not suitable for fish if used as it is. Ask your aquarium providers for tap water treatments that would render it suitable for ornamental fish. Fish food is diverse; hence, don't forget to find a food that is edible to your fish.

Many researchers have concluded that more than 85% of tropical fish health problems are related to bad water conditions of their aquaria. Just like every living being, ornamental fish excrete waste products. These waste products disintegrate to produce ammonia and nitrates which are toxic products that can decrease the life expectancy of your pet fish. Aquarium filters contain bacteria that breakdown these waste products and convert them to other non-toxic substances. Moreover, periodic renewal of the water of the aquarium helps in clearing any accumulating waste products. Many commercial kits are available for online sale and can help you determine the levels of nitrates and ammonia in your aquarium water. Some aquarium plants can be useful in decreasing the levels of aquarium water toxic substances.

Feeding ornamental fish needs some carefulness. Fish should be fed small quantities at a time. Don't think that you show more love and caring by giving your fish too much to eat. On the contrary, an aquarium that is full of food is probably an unhealthy environment to your fish. Piled food is acted upon by bacteria and can yield toxic products. Moreover, the accumulated food can react with the fish waste products and result in more levels of ammonia and nitrates.

Ornamental fish petting is a rather interesting hobby. If you are planning to install an aquarium at your place, take some time to learn basic aquarium related instructions so that you can enjoy the hobby of a life.