Take some time out of each day to watch your Koi to see how they are doing, even if it means bundling up and going outside (it helps to have some hot chocolate ready when you get back in.) Check each and every Koi in your collection for any health problems. Viewing your Koi will help you relax if you are feeling stressed out (it will also get you away from your inlaws.)
Inspect the air pump and the de-icer to see if they are working correctly. A powerful de-icer can trip a circuit breaker and the pond will lose power, cutting off the Koi’s oxygen supply.
If you escape the cold and take a vacation, have a friend or relative watch the Koi for you. Teach them how to take care of your collection, including any special instructions, by making a list and checking it twice. Give them a phone number to reach you by in case of any ponding emergency.
Koi & Christmas Parties
If you have an indoor pond and are hosting a Christmas party, your guests will naturally be drawn to the Koi. Try to keep your guest’s food and drinks away from the pond. Eggnog, fruitcake and pond water don’t mix well. Bad Christmas music will stress out the Koi and will bother some of your guests, play it in a different room to muffle it.
Koi as Gifts
Giving a Koi fish to a person as a gift is not usually a good idea, unless you have prior approval. Many hobbyists like to pick their own Koi, from their own trusted sources.
Can’t find a present for someone that has everything but also keeps Koi? A gift certificate from Koi Acres will spread some cheer, whether the person receiving it has been naughty or nice.
Happy Holidays!
-Michael Swanson
