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Koi Carp
15 Docs
Wintering a koi pond – your winter weapons!
Last Updated: September 12, 2025Winter is a tricky time for pond keepers. You’ve heard conflicting advice about filters, feeding, and heating. So here’s exactly what you need, and what you need to know when wintering a koi pond. 1. Do not turn your pond filter off during winter Please, please, please, when wintering a koi pond, DON’T TURN OFF...
Why You Shouldn’t Order Fish Online
Last Updated: September 12, 2025In our knowledge base articles we have now covered a wide range of concerns about fishkeeping, particularly online shopping. In this article, we will highlight the cons of ordering fish online and why you shouldn’t do it. You can’t see the fish you’re buying When you order online, you have the handicap of not being...
What to expect when ordering fish online
Last Updated: September 12, 2025Once upon a time, online ordering of fish was ruled by just a handful of websites, making the decisions restricted, but easy. Nowadays, there’s a vast range to choose from and as many businesses all competing for your custom, but few knowing exactly what to expect when ordering fish online. But is it such a...
What is the best food to keep my Koi and Pond Fish healthy?
Last Updated: September 12, 2025We understand how important keeping your fish healthy and happy in your pond is, so in this article we will give you our very best recommendation on which type of food will help you to do just that. Probiotic Foods You’ve probably heard the term before but do you know what “Probiotic Food” actually means?...
Surviving or thriving?
Last Updated: September 12, 2025One of our favourite sayings, and something we practice here at Shirley Aquatics Reptiles, is thriving over surviving. But what do we mean by this? What is thriving over surviving? Survival is defined as the state of continuing to live or exist despite danger or difficulty. With our work alongside the RSCPA and other private...
Koi Health-Why are my koi getting fat stomachs?
Last Updated: September 12, 2025Koi do not have stomachs, just a digestive tract. The “fat belly “appearance is caused by feeding a poor quality food which is high in carbohydrates and poorly balanced ingredients. The fat builds up around the internal organs and can lead to health problems, such as heart attacks. Feed Saki Multiseason, a high quality, balanced...
Koi Health- Why do my koi produce a lot of waste?
Last Updated: September 12, 2025It is down to the balance and quality of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids in the food. Koi struggle to digest protein without the correct carbohydrate profile. Therefore, they cannot digest the food as efficiently if it is incorrectly balanced. The addition of probiotics in the diet greatly reduces the amount of waste produced, as these...
Koi Health- Why do my koi look dull and lifeless?
Last Updated: September 12, 2025This could be due to a number of factors – poor water quality, lack of oxygen, parasites and poor nutrition. A food with a high level of stabilised Vitamin C will help build up the immune system and perk up your koi. Also, look for Vitamin E as this helps stress related problems. Soaking the...
Koi Health- What should I feed koi of mixed sizes?
Last Updated: September 12, 2025You need a food that offers carefully selected fish meal and high quality carbohydrates, together with the correct level of vitamins and minerals. Stabilised Vitamin C is essential for their immune system, helping to fight off disease.
Koi Health- What food should I feed below 10°C?
Last Updated: September 12, 2025Koi do not need a high protein level during the colder months, so wheatgerm is generally used during this period. It is lower in protein and higher in carbohydrates, providing the koi with the nourishment it needs. Ensure that Wheatgerm is the first ingredient on the bag. Reduce the amount that is fed, as their...
Koi Health- What do I feed young koi?
Last Updated: September 12, 2025Koi up to one year old ( Tosai) have a high metabolic rate and can digest up to 65% protein content. Look for a quality food with 40% protein content (fish meal based) and supplement the diet with Silkworm Pupae, crushed up. The balance of the ingredients needs to be perfect, otherwise they will grow...
Koi Health- How can I stop koi colours fading?
Last Updated: September 11, 2025Koi cannot produce the colours themselves and need carotenoids( colourants) in their diet to help produce the colour. Hikari Gold and Saki Colour both contain Astaxanthin, a powerful colour enhancer, which will brighten up the orange/ red on your koi without affecting the whites. Poorer quality foods may make the whites appear creamy. Feed above...
Koi for dummies – our practical guide to koi keeping
Last Updated: September 11, 2025Koi for Dummies covers everything useful you need to know about koi keeping. From set up and hardware, through to diet, and welfare. If you’re looking for some practical advice on a specific area of koi keeping pick from the links below. If you’re brand new to the hobby there are a few things you’ll...
Feeding Koi. The what, when, and why.
Last Updated: September 11, 2025A quick and easy to follow guide on what to feed to your Koi. Feeding Koi can be a delicate balancing act. As a Koi keeper you’ll have come to terms with just how complicated fish food can be. It seems to come as something of a shock to new hobbyists that animals have specific...
5 basic breeds of koi and how to spot them.
Last Updated: September 11, 2025There are lots of koi breeds out there but spotting the differences can be tricky. Here are 5 basic breeds you’ll be able to spot in our own koi ponds to buy yourself, or just to practise your eye! Koi colours Before going onto the 5 basic breeds of koi it’s important to get a...