Koi Husbandry | Understanding Koi Behavior Patterns In Koi Ponds

Learn To Understand Your Koi By Watching Their Behavior Patterns

Part 3 of of a step by step guide to successful koi keeping and how to create perfect pond conditions for your koi.

This article is dedicated to the art of koi husbandry and understanding koi behavior in your koi pond, including how to handle, observe and interact with these fish to ensure their optimum health and well being.

Koi husbandry is an important skill that needs to be learned if you want to be a successful koi pond keeper ...

What is koi husbandry?

As with most things in life, this skill will only be mastered by practical hands on experience but in moderation. The less interference the better for the overall pond eco system.

Koi husbandry is an all encompassing term used to describe activities such as: pond care, koi feeding, learning to handle koi correctly, so as to avoid stress or damage and studying koi behavior.

Only through observation, on a daily basis will you begin to understand their interactions and relationships with each other and with their environment. You will start to notice their personalities, individual characteristics and traits.

Normal koi behavior

By observing your koi pond and the interactions you will soon begin to realize exactly what is deemed "normal behavior". It is difficult to quantify exactly what normal behavior for any given pond environment is but an expert will at a glance see patterns, telling them instantly if all is well or if something is wrong.

The expert would be looking for clues including:

Your Koi's behavior when noticing you. Does your koi try to move away to a deeper depth or does it stay lifeless, seemingly inert. If this is the case then this could be a sure fire sign that the fish is stressed or ill. You would need to do some further observation work.
Koi are by nature are full of vitality and energy, constantly on the move, looking for their next meal. They shouldn't be resting near the pond bottom for any length of time or hanging their head low or gasping for oxygen at the pond surface. This type of behavior is not a normal behavioral pattern and would constitute a further look.
Koi are likened to pigs in that they have an endless appetite and are always looking for a meal. A loss of appetite is an early indicator that something isn't right. Is this an isolated case or do all the koi exhibit similar behavior?
Continual scratching or rubbing of their bodies against the pond wall, pump casing etc., are generally an indicator that you may have a parasite problem or that the levels of ammonia or nitrate are too high. Again you need to observe the pond to see if this is an individual koi or the majority of the pond inhabitants. Be careful as rubbing ands scratching is normal. Only when this behavior is excessive should you be concerned.

Seasonal behavior changes:

In article 2 we discussed how koi are genetically engineered to benefit from seasonal variations such as colder warmer temperatures. They need these cues to be able to reset their biological clocks so that they know when it is time to spawn, rest and grow etc. A loss of appetite during Autumn and less activity, for example isn't a sign that something is wrong but simply the Koi's reaction to a drop in the water temperature. Koi are after all cold blooded fish. However if this behavior continues into spring then something is probably amiss.

Mandatory quarantining

Resist the urge to instantly place your new prize specimen in with the other koi, living in your pond. Instead it would be advisable to temporarily place the new koi in an isolation unit. This is of benefit to both yourself and the new family member. After a tiresome journey a period of rest is required. Take the opportunity to study the new koi to ensure that all is well. Koi are social creatures and prefer to be in a group so bear this in mind when the new fish appears to be quiet and sullen, particularly with respect to feeding. Solitary koi tend to be much more shy and less brave, than when in groups.

Spawning behavior

To the inexperienced koi spawning appears very aggressive and rough. It is easily mistaken for fighting and can cause concern to owners who wonder how they can prevent this aggressive behavior. Don't be alarmed as this is the Koi's way. During the spawning season male koi often charge egg laden females or any fish they suspect of carrying ripe eggs. Female koi, at this time of year will receive a lot of contact and will suffer from missing scales and abrasions.

Apparent shyness

Often the cause of such behavior can be attributed to an external stimulus such as an unwanted pond visitor such as a cat or large bird e.g. heron or fish eagle. It is important to try to to prevent frequent visits, as failure to do so can lead to the long term koi health problems, due to shock and stress.

The not so practical approach to koi husbandry

There are times when you will need to inspect your koi using a bowl. It is advisable to net your koi with a landing net. Look out for for ulcers and sores during spring time and again prior to Autumn. Hopefully the koi will have gone through winter in one piece.

Obviously the less physical interference to the koi from yourself the better. Good koi husbandry is in the main about studying and observing, so as to intuitively know what is best for your koi pond and it's inhabitants. Keep the physical inspections to a minimum and concentrate on the pond environment. Factors such as pond filter maintenance, quality feeding and monitoring the effects of fish stocking levels (Biological Pond Conditions) are a priority.

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