Colourful Koi & Improving Koi Colours

Advertise here koi

More Top Pond Keeping Tips: Click image right for UK pond products.  Measuring pond volume using science .. this is worth pointing out for its simple but brilliant bit of chemistry. Once more I am grateful to a reader for pointing this out to me. This method depends upon a pondkeeper using salt in the pond water. By measuring the salt concentration in the pond water before and after adding a known amount (lbs) of salt to the pond it is possible to calculate the pond volume very accurately and easily assuming the salt hydrometer is also accurate. 

Koi Fish & Koi Colour

As koi keepers, we have a great interest in taking care of our koi and our goldfish. We love our koi for their grace, their beauty and their koi colours. They serve as good companions and their striking beauty never ceases to amaze anyone. This koi keeping hobby is becoming increasingly popular and the world of koi is evolving dramatically. Specifically admired for their striking appearance, grace and size, there is a certain sense of reward and fulfilment that we can get if our koi's colour and beauty is preserved and even more enhanced. Thus, one thing that every koi and goldfish keeper strives for is improving koi colours.

Nonetheless, before we can get started or continue with our goldfish and koi colours improvements, it's important to understand the fundamentals about improving koi colour and how to sustain their striking appearance. Lack of knowledge about the matter can only lead to lots of problems. Basically, there are several factors affecting koi colour. It's important to learn these things when improving koi colour because these factors determine whether a person would be successful in improving koi colors or not. These factors include: a koi's genetic makeup and colour enhancers found in the koi's skin.

Sponsored Products...

Koi Food BradshawsIn the long run the most expensive part of fish pond keeping is the cost of food. It pays to buy the best yet most economical. Bradshaws Koi Food (and winter Wheatgerm) is fantastic value for money in modern sensible koi food packaging.

VirescoThe natural solution to green water and blanketweed. Viresco is specially made in the UK Viresco sold worldwide is A natural algae solution.

Hozelock Pond VacuumKeep that fish pond bottom clean with reliable Pond Vacuum from Bradshaws

Bradshaws Liner25 year guarantee pond liner

Interpet Koi Pond Test KitTesting pond water can in itself become an intriguing and interesting hobby. Get a reliable test kit however.

The Effect of Genetics on Koi Colours

Genetics plays an important role in a koi's colours. Just like the type of film and camera determines a photo's appearance, the genetic makeup of a koi also affects how it appears. From the pigments to the arrangement of scales and other factors in a gold fish or koi's colours and appearance, everything has to do with its genetic makeup. Thus, for owners who want to go about improving koi's colour, it becomes necessary to study about their genetic makeup and how different factors may affect improving koi colour. For instance, koi's may respond accordingly to a certain type of food better than others, therefore positively affecting their koi colours and overall appearance. Owners should try to properly understand this aspect of their koi and goldfish to properly devise the right approach to improving koi colour.

Improving Koi Colour with Enhancers

When we come to improving koi colour, it's important to understand koi food enhancing components which may help support this. For instance, carotenoids are very helpful in enhancing the appearance of koi colours. Carotenoids refer to a group of compounds with colour enhancing capabilities. Carotenoids are already stored in a koi's skin, however if the owner wants to greatly enhance their koi colours further, then feeding the koi or goldfish with foods and supplements rich in carotenoids should help. Carotenoids and Vitamin A are closely related, so it might be a good idea to feed kois with Vitamin A rich foods. Note that carotenoids degrade over time, and so as far as improving koi colour goes, they have to be replenished constantly to maintain the koi colours. Further, it's important to understand that heat and light tend to degrade colour-enhancing vitamins as well, so proper control of the elements is important when improving koi colour.

A word of caution though, carotenoids have to be given in the right quantity and quality. Improper portions and low quality may only do more bad than good to goldfish and koi. Improving koi colours is not a simple thing to do. It takes considerable effort, time and understanding of koi colours. Taking care of a goldfish is just like taking care of any other living thing. Goldfish and koi require sufficient care to be able to live a healthy life. Therefore, koi owners should understand first the fundamentals of their nature before trying to embark on improving koi colours.

Bradshaws Liner25 Year Polyex Pond Liners - 50% Off! Special Offer - 50% off all 25 year liners!