Before you type in those little words, “buy koi fish near me”, here’s a few things you’ll be happy you considered prior to heading to your koi supplier:
1. Koi live a long time
The average life span of koi fish is 20-30 years, or more. Some koi have been known to live over 200 years. Depending on your age, these creatures may outlive you. Considering they are life-long pets, make a plan for them after you pass. Gruesome? Possibly. Practical and responsible? Definitely.
2. Koi can be time consuming
Like any animal, koi fish need an appropriate environment, regular feeding, and care. A number of things can go wrong in a pond, so make sure you have the right equipment to keep their water healthy. Have questions? Contact us and we’ll help guide you to know what’s right for your specific pond.
3. Koi will cost you much more than your initial investment
While purchasing koi from a supplier or overseas can be very costly, the lifetime costs of supporting these animals can also add up. Make sure you’re in the right place financially to support a lifetime of care.
Some items to consider in your finances before starting a koi pond:
- Pump – Your pump should be able to circulate the appropriate amount of water for your pond
- Filter – Your filter should be able to filter the appropriate amount of water based on the the volume of fish in your pond
- Food – Koi eat daily, just like you.
- Water – The water in your pond will need to be replenished one to three times per week due to evaporation and back-flushing
- Chemicals – The water that comes from your hose or faucet is not ideal for koi health and may need to be treated with a number of things. You will need a regular supply to ensure your water stays healthy.
- Electricity – Your pump and filter may require a significant amount of electricity to run. Do your research prior to buying a pump as some are more efficient than others.
4. Your koi can get sick
Even in the best circumstances, your koi can get ill just like you or any animal. Koi are known to get pox, worms, lice, have tail and scale issues, and more. Make sure you understand the signs of illness in koi fish so you can take action fast.
5. Koi are prey
Do you intend to keep your koi outdoors? Birds and wild animals may hunt them during the night. Take precautions to keep them safe from attack.
6. You can adopt rare and champion-quality koi for cheap
At Majestic Koi Rescue, we often come across rare and champion quality Japanese koi that need to find a new home through adoption. Consequently, we pick up retired pond equipment, such as filters and pumps which are usually in perfect working condition. It’s true that adopting koi can save you thousands over buying them from a supplier or koi store.
Recently, we rescued 3 Showa, a rare Kohaku, a beautiful Chagoi, and a Ginrin named Tangerine. Often times, we also see Sanke, Tancho, Asagi, Bekko, Koromo, Goshiki, Doitsu, Sanshoku, Shusui, Hakari, Matsuba, and Yamabuki.
The bottom line is, adopting koi can save you money on quality fish. You can save a life and help more than just one fish when you make room for more rescues. Even better, we’ve done all the dirty work for you. We quarantine and rehabilitate koi to make sure they’re ready for their next chapter at your home. Contact us to find out our current supply and if adoption is right for you.