7 Ways to Keep Your Koi Healthy

Have you recently started keeping koi? These beautiful fish can be absolutely fascinating to watch. If you’ve never had them before, you may have a bit of a learning curve before you. Here, a local Las Vegas, NV vet offers tips on keeping your koi healthy.

If you have more koi than your pond can support, you may soon find yourself with sick or dying fish. Overcrowding can increase the risks of your fish getting sick. Plus, if your pets do contract an illness, it will spread much more quickly in a crowded pond. Ask your vet for recommendations before stocking your pond.

Koi need lots of oxygen to stay healthy. If your pond isn’t properly aerated, your fish can actually suffocate, especially in hot climates like ours. One great way to aerate your pond is to put in a waterfall. You can also just install an aerator.

Proper filtration is very important. This is one area where it’s definitely worth investing in a high-quality item. The last thing you want is a shoddy filtration system! Do some research before buying. Look for a system that can circulate all the water in your pond twice an hour.

Salt is beneficial to koi in many ways. It stimulates your fishes’ natural stress coat, which protects them from disease and bacteria. It also helps kill parasites, and supports healthy gill functions. Adding beneficial bacteria to your koi pond will also help keep the water clear and clean.

Koi are often at risk from other animals. Make sure your fish have some deep, shady areas to hide in. Adding plants will give your koi shady spots that will help them stay cool on hot days. Just be sure to weight your plants down with rocks.

Keep a close eye on your fish, and watch for signs of illness. If you notice any warning signs, immediately isolate any fish that may be ill. This is especially important when introducing new fish to an established pond.

Just like any other pet, koi need proper nutrition in order to stay healthy. Feed your fish a good, high-quality food. Ask your vet for specific nutritional advice.

Do you have questions about keeping koi? We can help! Please contact us, your local Las Vegas, NV pet clinic, anytime.