New Koi Care Sheet

Welcome to Your New Koi!

おめでとうございます! (Omedetou Gozaimasu!)

Congratulations on your new koi! From Japan, to our family, and now onto your family, we’re thrilled to be part of your journey in creating a beautiful and thriving pond. Koi are not only stunning to look at, but they also bring a sense of peace and tranquility to any space. By following this guide, you'll ensure a smooth transition for your new fish and help them acclimate safely to their new home. We're here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to let us know if you have questions at (206) 350-7580. Congrats!

Unpacking Instructions

Open the Box Carefully:

Peel the tape or make a very shallow cut to avoid puncturing the fish bag, which is close to the top of the box.

Keep Bags Out of Direct Sunlight:

Ensure the bags are not exposed to direct sunlight to prevent overheating.

Float Bags to Equalize Temperature:

Place the unopened bags in your quarantine tank or pond for 20-30 minutes to equalize the temperature.

Do Not Add Water to the Bags:

Avoid adding water from your pond or quarantine tank to the fish bags. See the important note below for details.

Transfer Fish to a Clean Tub:

Once the temperature is equalized, open the bags and pour the fish and water into a clean tub or bowl. Use a clean net or your clean hand to move the fish to the quarantine tank.

Avoid Using Shipping Water in Your Tank:

Do not add the dirty shipping water to your quarantine tank or pond to prevent contamination.

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Setting Up Your Quarantine Tank

Before bringing your new koi home, we recommend you set up a quarantine tank. This helps your koi adapt to its new environment and allows you to monitor it for any signs of illness.

You Will Need:

A 100-500 gallon tank
Net cover for the tank
A small pump and filter
Salt
Pond thermometer
Water test kit

Tips:

Ensure good water circulation and an established biological filter. Set up your tank at least a month in advance for the filter to work effectively.

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Acclimating Your Koi

Float the Bag:

Place the oxygenated bag with your koi on the surface of the quarantine tank for 20-30 minutes. Cover with a damp towel if in direct sunlight.

Net and Release:

Carefully net the koi from the bag and release it into the quarantine tank. Avoid letting any water from the bag into the tank.

Cover the Tank:

Immediately cover the tank with a net as koi can be jumpy when stressed.

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Quarantining Your Koi

Quarantine your new koi for 30 days to ensure their health and the health of your existing pond population.

Quarantine Protocol:

Monitor your koi daily for any signs of illness and treat accordingly.
Add 1-2 koi from your pond to help the new koi adjust and to detect any health issues.
Perform partial water changes every 2-3 days if there is no filtration system.
Feed a small amount of high-quality, easily digestible food daily starting on day 3 of quarantine.
Check water parameters and temperature daily. Maintain 0.3% salinity (3 lbs of non-iodized salt per 100 gallons).
Keep the tank covered with a net at all times.

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Introducing Koi to Your Pond

Prepare the Fish:

Net the koi and place it in a polyethylene fish bag with water from the quarantine tank.

Acclimate to Pond Temperature:

Float the bag on the surface of the pond for at least 20 minutes to equalize the temperature.

Release the Koi:

After 20 minutes, release the koi into the pond.

Ideal Water Quality Range

Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: Below 40 PPM
pH: 6.8-8.2 (avoid daily fluctuations – test in the morning and at night to measure variability)
kH: Above 100 PPM
Salinity: 0.3% (3 lbs per 100 gallons)
Water Temperature: 72-74°F

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Thank you for choosing Play It Koi for your new koi additions! Enjoy your beautiful new koi and happy pond keeping!