I buy better quality smaller fish, in the 12inch range, and grow them out with patience.
Anybody buy from a west coast supplier? Although I guess it doesn't matter when they can ship fedex
No, but I have always wondered what shipping fish via courier did. Are they in containers that are also temperature controlled?
I know last Christmas, we recieved live lobsters from Maine via Fedex and I was surprised at the great condition of the lobsters and the packaging was pretty neat too. I know fish are not the same as shellfish.
I ordered some out of Washington State and they came in a little over one day. In big bags with a lots of air space. I believe they also hyperoxygenate the water to cut down on toxity from the fish. It wasn't a huge box and contained 7 5-7" fish.
It must be an overnight type of thing. How are the fish when you get them - do they appear to be scared?
Well, it would be hard to tell. I had the wading pool all ready for them and turned them loose. One, it was also the first one to die, seemed awful quiet and pretty much hid out in the corners. the others seemed pretty active. The four that died were the four smaller ones. But that was after they went into the pond
I've never had a problem with shipped fish. That's usually how I get fish, off of ebay. (We don't have too many vendors here locally)
Look for those with high feedback percentages, and only those who are willing to combine shipping. Many have started offering any number of fish being shipped for $45. Water is heavy, so the more you can order at the same time, the better.
KodamaKoi has very healthy fish, with free shipping.
Kleinholz (sp?) have always sent me healthy fish, with affordable pricing.
Fishonlinerus is from California, they have healthy smaller fish, with combined shipping.
Although I've ordered many times, from a good many more, many aren't listing right now, due to the colder season.
MM -
that makes sense. I wasn't looking to order anything though, just curious. I remember when we would go to the koi farm and they would fill the bag with the koi full of oxygen and then put the bag into a cardboard box for the trip home. Although this place is about 2 hours from us, by the time we got home, the koi always seemed a bit excited and nervous by the time we got home - so I wondered about the fish that had a longer journey.
I can't imagine that after being shifted around on trucks, planes, warehouses, back to trucks that they wouldn't be traumatized... Heck, I sure would be
To ship a fish, you don't feed it the day before...that way there's not an abundance of amonia/poop in the water, while on it's way...then, you out in a "bag buddy" or equivilant, which semi -sedates them for the trip...it also conditions the water. Then the bag is filled with just enough water to cover the back dorsal fin...and the bag is pumped with pure oxygen. Fish are pretty good about traveling for 3 days that way (sometimes you put in an ice pack or a heat pack, depending on the temps)
The new bags, made by Kordon, don't need extra space for air, because the make-up of the bag allows oxygen through the plastic, and also there by cutting the shipping cost in half.
Son of a gun. Yeah, that's what I meant. LOL...
Doubt I'll ever buy any fish on line. I like to see exactly what I'm getting plus shippings got to be hard on them.
So far been to 3 koi farms and learned about another hobbyist today I plan to visit considering its about 7 miles from me and he has converted his pool into koi pond and has three other ponds stocked with koi.
Never realized there were so many koi crazy people around. Glad I'm not the only one.
The two I bought last Fri. were $25. ea. and they are 12" long and appear very healthy and lively.
One is carrying eggs so I've been getting equipment tog. for the event whenever it happens.
Bonnie
Paula,
Didn't mean to invade your thread.
How is your pond construction coming along? Hope its progressing.
I think the spot you are putting it in is great. You will see your fish more often easier. I have to go out into my front yard to see any of mine but its not far and I have seating around it so its great.
How about an update.
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie,
So far, I haven't been able to dig it yet, too many other things to do yet. Trying to get the old house taken care of and landscape the new one. I'll post pics when I start it.
Bonnie, Butterfly Koi are bred differently and as a result they are cheaper to purchase. They are beautiful colors. You can identify them by their longer pectoral fins (next to the head). As they continue to grow, those pectoral fins get longer and stronger, and they can dart across the pond at lightning speed, like little rats. One of them died, and there is only one Butterfly Koi left. I purchase the koi locally, and I won't buy butterflies again.
If I put my hand in the pond, they come over to nibble. Do not pet them as it disturbs the protective layer on their scales.
New fish are placed in the pond, bag and all. When we're comfortable that the water in the bag is the same temperature as the pond (usually a couple of hours), we open the bag and release them. A large koi in a plastic bag can bag around the pond like crazy.
By the way, the fish all come to me, except when I'm wearing a black top. I think they need glasses.
This message was edited Feb 25, 2012 7:03 AM
Paula
I would love to see pictures when you put your pond in as well. I know Bea had a wonderful thread going when she put her last pond in.
Cathy - Why will you not buy butterfly koi again?
Paula
I would love to see pictures when you put your pond in as well. I know Bea had a wonderful thread going when she put her last pond in.
Cathy - Why will you not buy butterfly koi again? I am not understanding....
Breeders say that butterfly koi are actually stronger and hardier than standard fin koi. If they get very long fins, however, they sometimes are slower to get away from predators. I have mostly all butterfly koi (hirenaga if you want the actual term) because they are so much prettier to watch swim around. They haven't been in existence all that long...it was a desire by American koi enthusiasts that put them into popularity.
Butterfly Koi in my pond are more aggressive than any of the others. They steal food from the others and then take off like lightning.
The shubunkins are the most placid, and the regular koi are not so skittish or aggressive. The gentler fish are more relaxing for me, just a personal preference. While the pond is fairly shallow, we give them places to hide and feel safe. That is usually where the Butterfly Koi are when they're not darting around the pond or at the head of the chow line.
By the way, my fish sleep at night, even with the lights on.
Cathy, mine retreat to their 'bedroom' a cave (must be big as all 23 fish can fit in there although the average length is only 4") at night so assume they sleep also. Last I saw them this winter they were lazily moving along the bottom, with a couple taking up permanent homestead rights in the skimmer. It has it's own deicer so I assume it might be a tad warmer in there. Even say a couple of koi there once, though not lately. a few inches of snow yesterday but pond ice is really thin and it is slushy around some edges. Due to he heat, such as it is, from the sun warming the rock?? or maybe the small circulation of current from the little pump at the shallow end running along the outer rim of the pond. I check several times a day
Cathy -
Interesting - I do have one koi that is far more aggressive than the others and he is a butterfly, but I charged that to personality. There may also be something to what you say, although I do think the have different personalities. It was a butterfly that decided to be brave enough to eat out of my hand before the others too.
My fish are moving around. They seem to be waking up. It is early, but we will probably wait until the second weekend in March to get things up and running - weather providing.
Planning on showing my butterfly koi and 2 kohaku at Central Fl. Koi Show on the 9-10-11. They will all be in the same show tank but don't see any problem as they live tog. here at home. My butterflys are very peaceful. One kohaku is a little pig. He leaps over the 2 large butterfly to get a mouthful of food. He's very lively so I'm sure he is healthy.
Just learned today of a blue koi breeder thats not very far f rom me but won't have to visit his place and he is also showing in the show. Must be going in as a vendor cause you can't show and sell too.
I'm very anxious to see all the varieties of koi and colors.
Bonnie
I'm really hoping to get to the show at least one day. He'll probably have better blues than what I'm offering to you, but mine are at least free, lol ! I've thought about trying to separate the blues and whites out before spawning, and putting them in one pond together, to see if I can get more blue fry this year, hopefully butterfly.
GREAT idea Mary. I'm still looking forward to your little blue boy/girl. Hope you have good luck with their spawning.
Before it gets real hot I'm going out and pull some weeds. Supposed to go up to 89 today. I can wait for hot summer - yuk.
I'm checking with friends to see if I can borrow an acquarium to put babies in so I can better see whats going on with them. I do have tubs etc. but think that would be better setup.
Mary would you please check if you have any bags for fish. I will check with petshops but most of them are small and you know how big Goldie & Blondie are.
Yes, I will take a look. We moved stuff around, and I'm not sure which box to look in! :) But I definitely will! I'm hoping to go to the show on Saturday afternoon. You'll need the bags by Wed correct?
Yes Wed. cause we transport Fri. before noon for registration confirmation and benching.
Thanks for your help. Glad you can make it Sat. Wll look for you .
Bonnie, let us know how it went.
