To have a backyard fish pond can provide you the needed relaxation you need after a long day. You can always retreat to your fish pond to relax and just enjoy wathing all the fishes that swim about. One of the most important decision you will make for your backyard fish pond is choosing the kind of fish you want to put into it.
The kind and type of fish you will put in your pond speaks a lot about your personality and they will add more interest to your project as you watch them swim around your water garden. It is always a thrill seeing all your fishes gather round during feeding time. The most important thing to consider when choosing the fish in your backyard fish pond is the size, your location and the climate, as well as your personal choice.
Koi
Because of its unique design and adaptability to live in almost any climate, the Koi is one of the most popular choice for fish enthusiasts. These relatives of carp comes in many decorative designs and can survive even in cooler climates. Although it can be very expensive especially the bigger variety of Koi. The average price of a small Koi ranges between and per fish. The more popular and the more bigger kind can fetch a lot higher than that. You better think seriously if you want to put show Koi’s which can cost you up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Goldfish
Perhaps the most common fish you will see in many backyard fish ponds is the goldfish because of its colorful design, easy to maintain and relatively low price. The goldfish has a very distinct personality and you will enjoy watching them swim about with their bright orange or golden colors. Their vibrant colors make them easy to spot in the pond and they are very active swimmers too. Although there are expensive variety of the goldfish, you can always choose to have the cheaper goldfish to fit into your backyard fish pond. Ask your local pet store for an assortment of goldfish colors to give your backyard fish pond a very lively and vivid atmosphere.
Choosing freshwater fish
In some instances, it is fine to add freshwater fish that you caught in the wild into your fish pond. Depending on your choice, you can add small catfish into your pond. Other fish you can include are sunnies, bluegills, mosquitofish and regular or white cloud mountain minnows.
Tropical Fish
If you live in warm countries where the tropical climate keeps the temperature in your pond above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it is advisable to keep tropical fish in your backyard fish pond, such as guppies. Or better yet, find the hardiest tropical fish you can have and put them in your backyard fish pond.
Filed under Fish and Aquarium Care by on Feb 4th, 2010. Comment. 
Freshwater fish are perhaps the simplest fish to care for compared to saltwater species as a result of they’re sometimes hardier fish. A basic aquarium set up can be required. You will want a tank, some rocks or substrate to line bottom of the tank. You may additionally want a filter, and a few lighting. When choosing fish, it is imperative to create certain the fish are compatible. Not only do they have to be compatible for water temperature and P.H., but they conjointly should have similar food requirements. Strive to keep the fish comparatively the identical size. It’s been said that if a fish is tiny enough to fit in another fishes mouth, that’s usually where it ends up. Therefore don’t be discouraged if this happens. Even fish that have been housed along for several months are known to disappear on occasion.
Freshwater fish should be fed twice daily. Feed solely a little amount which will be consumed within the primary 2 to 5 minutes. Over feeding could be a common mistake among novice fish keepers. Any excess food ought to be lifted with a net if potential, as it can become debris and quickly dirty the tank. Water ought to be kept regulated and tested weekly. Any discrepancies in P.H. and water temperature ought to be corrected immediacy in order to reduce stress caused to the fish. Stress is vital as a result of it causes illness in fish. It’s vital to observe the activity and overall well being of the fish in an aquarium. The signs of stress will be fairly obvious. Slow moving or lethargic looking fish will require a stress coat that may be purchased at a native pet store. Attempt to avoid overcrowding the tank. This could help to reduce the quantity of stress caused to the fish.
Change regarding a third of the water within the aquarium at a time, as a result of this sort of modification can cause the smallest amount amount of disturbance to the fish and different inhabitants. This can need to be done each 2 to three weeks. Use either a bucket or a siphon to get rid of the water from the tank. Attempt to remove any loose or floating debris at this time. When adding the new water to the aquarium, be sure that it’s at intervals approximately two degrees of the tank water. The perimeters of the aquarium ought to be scrubbed often to remove an algae build up. Again use caution to not disturb the fish. Wash your hands thoroughly before and once handling the aquarium. Lastly, check the manufacturer’s recommendation on filters and change them accordingly. Filters collect any fish waste or left over food. They can not perform properly unless they’re clean.
Introduce hardy fish to a replacement tank. These fish can stand up to higher nitrite levels that are present in a new aquarium. Opt for fish like danios, barbs, gouramis, and live bearers. Don’t add more than three to four small fish per week. Acclimation times vary per species, therefore check with your retailer before adding any different new fish.
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Filed under Fish and Aquarium Care by on Jan 20th, 2010. Comment.
As you take care of your pet Koi, you just can't ignore the fact that they need to be moved from time to time. Like all pets, your fish will have its own medical issues throughout the course of its life (considering also the fact that they can live up to 30 years old). Now, if you don’t have the vet who does house calls, what they’re going to say most probably is “bring your fish in”.
Aside from medical issues, there are also the pond issues, which may arise as an emergency move because your pond is being placed into harms by natural events, or there's a scheduled move for a new construction. You see, no matter what amount of planning and precaution you take in construction your pond, there's always the possibility that you still need to move your fish whenever the occasion calls for it.
Those recent tragedies like Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina, along with the other everyday illnesses, shows you that you need to have a plan of action when it comes to your fish. Whether an emergency or not, you should know how to bag and transport your fish properly to make sure that they’re safe.
So, what do you need for bagging and transporting your pets? Now, these equipments are relatively small and can be stored easily when not in use.
1) Bags - You should always have the proper bags to transport your pets. Don’t use regular plastic bags or trash bags, which can harm your fish. You can purchase the bags at your local pet store if ever you don’t have any bags at hand.
2) Net – Have a net that’s big enough to compete with your fish. You can use it to direct and lead them where you want them to go. Just be careful when using the larger nets, as they have the potential to damage your fish.
3) Rubber Bands – You’re going to need a number of rubber bands for each of the bags you purchase. Buy those that are of good quality, so that they won’t pop up due to the pressure from the water when you transport your fish.
4) Paint Bucket – This is a better option for catching your fish, as it will not harm your pet like the net can. Just make sure they're big enough to hold them.
Catching and bagging your fish is really a simple task, provided that you have the proper equipments at hand. With a large pond, let your friends help you in bagging your pets. Use the net to guide the fish into the bucket, and once they’re in, remove the excess water, and then start bagging it. Check the bag if there are leaks, and once it’s secured, place the bag over the fish from head to tail. Ensure that there will be enough water to completely cover the gills of your fish.
Leave a lot of room for air so that the bag won’t be too heavy to carry. Then put the rubber bands around the ends of your bag to secure it. Put them horizontally in your container for transporting. Be very careful not to bend your pet in the process. Make sure that your bag will not move with those bumps and turns along the way, and cover your fish so that only a little amount of heat from the sun will enter the bag.
Filed under Fish and Aquarium Care by on Dec 9th, 2009. Comment.
As you raise your pet Koi, there's always a need for you to have the important filtration system for your Koi pond. The Koi is known for its sensitivity to the water quality compared to some of the other fishes, so you need to consider when it comes to having a filter in your outdoor pond.
The filter is an equipment that helps in controlling the biological balance within the pond. It removes the waste produced by the Koi. In the wild, the waste that comes from the fish is being removed through the water volume of the area, as well as the current of the water. So, when the fish is placed in your pond which is a controlled environment, they really need to have such a natural function as well. There are two types of filtration systems: the biological and the mechanical. The biological filter depends on the bacteria to break down those toxic wastes such as ammonia (or pH) into nitrates which are less harmful substances (high levels of pH can be very harmful for your Koi). Nitrates are also harmful to the Koi when they come in large amounts.
A good filter for your pond will still be able to work properly without the use of a pump to force the water through to it. As the pond is a big area, the filter's strength isn't able to circulate the water just on its own. The pump is the one that pushes the water and also the one that circulates the water through the pond. Also, add-ons like waterfall and those small fountain can be put in your pond, stirring up water and allowing oxygen from the air to be folded into pond's water (this process is called aeration). Keep in mind that it's very important to have a constant supply of oxygen for the fish.
It’s also necessary to test the water’s chemical make up on a weekly basis, and this can be done in two ways. The first option is to go to your local pet store and bring a sample of your pond's water so that they can test it for you, while the second option is to buy a home testing kit with which you can test the water all by yourself. You should keep the chemical mixture of the water at a normal level for your pets all the time.
Maintenance is always needed for your own Koi garden. It only takes a little bit of time and effort to maintain your pond, and having vital systems in it like the filter is one of the things that pond owners really need to have. Having a very healthy Koi pond and a magnificent Koi garden (plus the elegant and beautiful fish in your pond) really makes it a rewarding hobby every Koi lover out there!
Filed under Fish and Aquarium Care by on Jun 14th, 2009. Comment.
Koi owners really enjoy it when feeding their pets with treats. It's such a delightful sight seeing your fish respond to the food you feed them, an activity that you can do with your kids (or grandkids as well). Although Koi feeding is a great bonding experience with your pets, some important precautions should be taken always.
Keep in mind that your fish will eat anything they get, never thinking if what you give them is good for them or not, so this makes it important for you as the owner to control their snack diet. You should avoid overfeeding, as they don't know just when to stop feeding, which may cause weight issues (especially with those non-nutritional ones) for them if not monitored.
Any Koi owner will always think that their pets deserve the best treats there is, and there are many kinds of great treats you can give your Koi that are nutritious for them, and those that aren't harmful to them.
Natural Treats: The best treat for your fish are those that can be found naturally in the pond, and these are bloodworms, earthworms and tadpoles. You can look around your pond to find them, and once you locate them, dig up these treats from the ground around your pond, or you can opt to purchase similar products found at your local pet store.
Lettuce: This treat is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, making it very healthy for your pets. You don't need to tear these into smaller pieces, because your fish will enjoy doing it by themselves!
Prawns: These are edible crustaceans which are quite similar to shrimp, only larger. These are good for your pets for they're rich in protein. You can buy the prawns in department stores, feed stores and local pet stores. The prawns are being sold as regular and frozen (and if frozen, make sure that you melt them down before feeding it to them). These are good in the stimulation of hand feeding.
Bread: Wheat bread is one of the cheapest treats available. The way to do this is take a piece of it, break it up, and roll it into small balls, and then throw it into your pond. You should avoid all types of white bread, which have small amounts of bleach and other chemicals that can harm your fish.
Fruit: Your fish eat a wide variety of fruit. When you feed your Koi, break the fruit up into smaller pieces. Keep in mind that most fruits contain a high amount of natural sugar which can be harmful to them if given in large amounts, so make sure to feed them with fruits only on special occasions.
If you feed them food like grapes, corn and beans, be careful as they contain outer casings which, if swallowed by your pets, can't be properly digested by them. Make sure that you remove the outer casings first before feeding them. Also, never overfeed your Koi, as giving them too many treats can interfere with their own diet, which will cause more harm than good to them.
Filed under Fish and Aquarium Care by on Jun 12th, 2009. Comment.
