What fish are good to keep with koi? A guide to choosing an aquarium

1. KeepingaquariumSelection

(1) In terms of material, aquariums made in China today generally use one of two main materials: glass and acrylic. The former is heavy and has poor impact resistance, but is inexpensive; the latter is relatively light, has good light transmission and impact resistance, but is expensive.

(2) In terms of size, the aquarium for keepingkoiis relatively large. The sizes commonly available on the market are usually 90cmx45cmx45cm, 120cmx45cmx45cm, etc., and custom sizes can also be made according to the buyer's requirements.

2. Configuration of aquarium equipment

A complete aquarium needs life-support systems for aquatic animals and plants, mainly including a filtration system, lighting system, temperature control system, oxygenation system, disinfection system, etc. The most important of these is the filtration system.

There are mainly three filtration methods in an aquarium: biological filtration, mechanical filtration and chemical filtration.

Filter materials: filter cotton, activated carbon, sand and gravel, biological filter balls, etc.

3. Selecting and stocking koi: healthy and lively individuals

 as follows

(1) From the fish's body surface: the fish body is clean, with no thick mucus attached, the fins and scales are intact, and the eyes are bright.

(2) From the swimming posture: it swims freely, its body is coordinated, and it shows a lively swimming posture; when encountering external stimuli it can quickly hide or flee, showing a high stress response.

(3) From foraging: it grabs food quickly, is agile, and has a strong appetite.

4. Daily management

(1) Bait and feeding methods

① Natural bait or artificial compound bait with added natural color-enhancing substances.

② Twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

(2) Water changes and cleaning

Change the water regularly according to the specific conditions of the aquarium. Usually, change the water once every 15—20d, replacing 1/3—1/2 of the total volume, with a temperature difference of no more than 1.5℃. Before adding new water, make sure it has been fully aerated and filtered.

(3) Lighting

Lighting is an important environmental factor for koi to maintain vivid body color and grow healthily. Secondly, lighting is very important for the transformation and regulation of water quality. It is best to provide 3—4h per day.

(4) Other management measures

Maintenance of the aquarium filtration system: for filtration systems that use sponge, activated carbon, etc. as the main filter materials, they need to be cleaned or replaced from time to time. Usually, activated carbon is replaced once every 2—3 months.

Summer management of aquarium keeping: summer temperatures are relatively high. Generally, when the water temperature of the aquarium exceeds 30℃, "heatstroke" will occur, and when the water temperature is high, the fish will speed up the deterioration of water quality, so in summer the frequency of water changes and waste suction should be appropriately increased.

5. Aquarium landscaping

Fish-focused, rock-focused, plant-focused, etc.

(1): Lay the bottom sand. After the aquarium has been cleaned, spread the washed sand on the bottom of the aquarium to a thickness of about 4—5cm.

(2): Place rocks and decorations. Choose a well-shaped rock as the main stone. Close to the main stone, place several small rocks as a foil, and at the same time add some small decorations.

(3): Plant aquatic plants. When planting aquatic plants, you can directly use a small shovel or your hands to dig a hole and insert them, then cover with sand, or you can plant them in small pots and then place the pots into the aquarium.