World Magazine 2024
Having koi fish on your property is said to bring good luck to the family. These fish are not only beautiful, but they are also going to make your house and your pond look a lot more colorful and attractive. In recent years, more and more people started having these fish in their aquariums and their ponds, and this trend has spread all over the world. If you are interested in adding them to your collection, then you are probably wondering what you can do to ensure that the koi stay healthy and happy in your home. Use this 2024 guide to find out if koi fish like sun or shade, and depending on that, learn where to place the aquarium in your home.
What should you consider?
When building your pond, there are many things that you need to consider so that your fish are satisfied and so that they don’t start developing different conditions. When constructing the space, you need to know that these fish tend to grow pretty big, so you need to allow them to swim freely.
If they don’t have the needed space to roam around, they are not going to be happy, and that will affect their lifetime. So, depending on the number of fish that you have, you may need a lot of space to create a good habitat. If you are not sure how big the pond needs to be, you should talk to a specialist that can help you do this. If you don’t have too much space, it is better to invest in fewer fish so that they can enjoy their time.
One of the most important things that you should know is that these fish have a lot of natural predators that can be found in pretty much every backyard, so you need to properly secure the pond so you don’t end up without any fish within a month. Raccoons and many different types of birds love how these fish taste, so you need to ensure that your pond does not become your favorite kitchen in the area. Make sure that the pond is properly built, and on the same note, provide enough hiding areas for your fish so they can protect themselves if there are any animals or birds that want to feast on them.
How much sunlight do they need?
Koi will thrive in the sunlight, and they need it to stay healthy but on the same note, if they are exposed to too much of it, they are going to get sick. They need vitamin D that comes from the sun, and if they don’t have enough of it during the day, with time, they are going to start getting sick. Know that the natural sunlight is going to affect their color, and if they are in the shade for too long, they are going to start losing their recognizable bright colors.
However, this does not mean that they should be exposed to sunlight all the time, and if you do that without providing any shade, you are going to cause a lot of trouble for your fish.
Experts suggest that the best thing you can do is create a space where the koi can choose how much time they want to spend in the sun, and when they have had enough and need to rest in the shade.
There are two main ways that you can do this – with items in the water, and with plants on the ground. Around the pond, it is recommended that you plant trees that are going to provide the needed shade, but on the same note, the pond needs to get natural sunlight in at least one part of it. When it comes to things in the water, it is best if you put a lot of water lilies or any other types of plants that are going to help your koi hide when they need some rest from the sun. On places like this website, you can see that there are different types of plants and vegetation that are going to create a better space for your koi, and at the same time, it is going to make your pond or aquarium look better and more colorful.
Know that the vegetation in and around the water is also going to regulate the temperature, and provide protection from predators. Too much sunlight can easily lead to overheating, and that will definitely affect the quality of life that your fish have.
In addition to the sunlight, you should also consider the temperature of the water. Know that the quality of the water will have a huge effect on how healthy the koi are, and on the same note, the temperature will determine the health as well.
These fish will thrive in water temperatures that are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. You need to think about this when it comes to building the pond, and if you live in an area where the temperature gets pretty low in the winter, you need to consider creating an indoor pond. On the same note, if the temperatures in your area get extremely high in the summer, you should either create a bigger pond that will not get too hot during the day, or you should consider insulating it and fully putting it in the shade.
These are the most important things that you need to know about keeping your koi happy and healthy, and basically, you need to let them sunbathe for a few hours per day, but at the same time, you have to give your fish space where they can hide when they have been in the sun for long enough. Pay attention to the water temperature, and if possible, install thermometers so you know how comfortable your koi are. The shade is even more important than the sun itself because more often than not, the sun can create a lot more issues than lack of it. If needed, consult with experts so you don’t end up making a mistake.
