There are no secret water or food additives
you can use a few months or weeks before the show to greatly enhance
your fish. There are many that will spoil your fishes' appearance.
DO NOT feed color enhancers/high protein
foods within two months of a show
DO NOT add medications or give koi treatments
within two months of a show
DO NOT feed your fish for 5-7 days before
a show
DO provide the highest possible water quality at
all times, but especially two months before a show: Increase water
changes, pond/filter maintenance, and reduce amount fed two months
before the show. Cull collection as early as possible.
DO study, check, and measure your fish for peak
condition. Decide which fish you plan to bring to a show: Shoot
for peak development, top of size range, and avoid bringing too
many fish or fish that will just compete against each other.
A proper koi net is necessary to minimize
the risk of damage to koi. It should be shallow and the netting
smooth and non-abrasive. The koi net should be as large as possible
(depending on koi)
The goal is to guide the koi with the net
into a tub without touching. Take it slowly and easy. It is easier
to catch fish in a pond with corners. Approach the koi with the
net from the front getting the net under its head and gently guiding
it into a tub. Touch the tail or move quickly and the koi will dart
or jump away. Never try to snag a koi that is trying to escape –
let it go and start over.
A single person can net/guide koi into a
floating tub. The rim of a large koi net is used to submerge the
edge of the floating tub. The koi is then guided into the floating
tub. This maneuver is easier if a second person submerges the tub.
A single individual can also bring the koi in the net adjacent to
a floating tank or tub. The net is controlled with one hand which
has been advanced on the pole to a position near the net. The floating
tank or tub is submerged with the other band and the koi is gently
guided into the container. Never lift koi with the koi net!
Koi can be netted from a smaller/narrower
pond without obstacles or hiding places easier. In ponds with potted
water plants it might be better to remove the plants while catching
koi. At times lowering the water level and or wading in the pond
will make catching our koi easier. Sometimes a second koi net handler
can herd koi into the net of the primary handler.
If your pond is too wide or does not lend
itself to any of the above methods, a seine my be used to herd the
fish into a smaller area. Koi are not caught with the seine. The
mesh of the seine should be knotless and non-abrasive. The seine
should be longer than the width of your pond. The width of the seine
should be greater than the depth of the pond. The seine will need
floats at top and weights on the bottom. Aquatic Ecosystems is a
good source for custom made seines and they can help you determine
size and type. I suggest getting extra floats and weights.
Koi tubs also need to be properly sized
and smooth. Tilt the tub to near vertical position in the pond about
half submerged. As the koi is guided into the tub tilt the tub back
to horizontal with enough water to completely cover the koi but
not so much as to encourage it to jump.
Koi sock nets with fine water retaining
mesh are the best way to move koi from the tub into the transport
bags. The koi is brought through the opening of the net head first
by carefully advancing the net over the head of the koi or by manipulating
the head of the koi into the net with your free hand. The koi is
positioned in the middle of the net, the end of the net is closed
by one hand of the holder, the other end of the net is folded over
to retain the koi the hands are held tautly apart as the koi is
lifted from the water. A head first exit of the koi from the sock
net is preferred to avoid possible fin or scale damage. Some mucus
may be lost from the skin.
Use 3 or 4 mil plastic bags for transporting
koi. Double plastic bags should always be used for safety. Bag size
depends upon the size of the koi. Fish should be carried horizontally.
Large koi need to be carried with the bag horizontal and held tautly
between two handlers.
The opening of the plastic bags should be
rolled over. Use the Koi sock net to move the koi into the bag,
or the fish can be moved directly from a tub. (Use one hand to direct
the koi head first into the bag.) There should be enough water in
the bag to float the koi as the bag is transported to its destination.
Get the proper equipment: You will need
a “real koi catch net”, koi sock net, large plastic bags,
rubber bands and a oxygen tank and regulator.
DO NOT FEED your show fish for 5 days prior. This
is very important to reduce ammonia stress on your fish during
transportation.
Catch your fish very GENTLY as the last thing
you do before leaving home.
Transport in cool covered containers (large ice
chests are ideal) to maintain constant water temperature and a
darkened environment.
Ice packs may be used inside the container but
OUTSIDE the fish bags to keep water cooler and fish more relaxed.
Fish should be “double bagged” with
pond water and bags inflated with oxygen and securely closed with
double rubber bands inside a cooler.
Be sure bags & coolers are large enough for
fish to stay relaxed & unbent. No more koi per bag/cooler
than can fit comfortably side by side. Usually two large koi “
24 in. long, or 5-6 medium koi 12 inches long.
Be sure to use enough pond water to COMPLETELY
cover your fish.
DO NOT put small fish in same bag/cooler with
significantly larger fish.
Orient coolers so that fish ride SIDEWAYS to direction
of travel.
DO NOT place coolers directly in the sun or near
other sources of heat. ( i.e., over hot spot caused by exhaust
side of trunk)
Reduce time of transportation by driving directly
to destination.
When you arrive at your destination, open bags
and gently release water and fish into the cooler. Use a koi sock
net to gently net fish and transfer them into the new pond.