Here are some helpful fun facts about koi and goldfish from the Pond Doc!

 

Tish, World's Oldest Goldfish, Dead at 43

London.  Won by a 7 year old Peter Hand at a fairground in 1956, the goldfish grew to a respectable 4 1/2", out-living all of Peter's other pets.   Last year Tish, having acquired a distinguished silver color, was recognized by the Guiness Book or World Records as the world's oldest captive goldfish.  Tish had moved in with Peter's parents, Hilda & Gordon Hand of Yorkshire, England, and spent his days mostly swimming around in circles.  Hilda, having become attached to the old fellow, was saddened when she found him at the bottom of his tank.

 

Please don't feed the fish! (too much)

Fish are more lovable at feeding time -- especially when they eat from your hand. That's probably why most of us make the biggest mistake we can make -- feeding our loved ones too much! The more fish eat the more fish poop. The more fish poop the harder the filters have to work. Excessive food rots causing havoc with our filtration systems. These two factors can be the life or death of your pond! The Pond Doc recommends feeding your fish twice a day during Spring and early Summer. When the water temperature increases to 72º, and with proper filtration, you can increase it to 3 times a day -- and only feed them as much (or less) than they can consume in 4 minutes.

 

Always keep the top of your hospital or quarantine tank covered.

Fish are extremely nervous when they are relocated and will jump out! A window screen works fine. Make sure it completely covers the tank -- and weigh it down. Larger fish can (and have) knocked the screens off.

The word "Koi" in Japanese means "Carp". The Japanese word "Nishiki" is a word that describes "Chinese colored silk". The Japanese refer to the fancy, colored carp as "Nishikigoi", meaning "colored carp".

A well-kept koi lives about 50 years.

You should never use a latex based sealant. Latex is toxic to fish. Marine Goop™ is both safe and effective.

Rubbermaid™ 100, 150 & 250 gallon feed troughs make great quarantine and hospital tanks. They are durable and portable.

 

Fish Facts!   More on Japanese meanings

 

Potassium Permanganate (PP) is a wonderful chemical for fish health when used correctly. It will kill flukes, bacteria and will oxidize fish waste -- BUT there are a few problems that can occur when using the chemical. Potassium Permanganate will eat through some products! If you have a heater in the system (such as in a hospital tank) REMOVE IT before you treat the tank with PP. The PP will eat into the rubber seal, causing the heater to short circuit and send electric current through your water! DO NOT use PP in your pond if you have made repairs to your liner using a product called CIM 1000™ or any other rubber based sealant product. Try treating your fish in a hospital tank (like the kind suggested above) instead of in your pond. When using high-volume sump pumps (1200 gph & up) be sure to sit the pump in a protective, secured basket or similar container. Small fish can be sucked up into the pump and if the pump gets knocked over onto it's side you can lose 10-12" fish (no lie!) by getting them trapped in the strong suction.

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