Koi fish is produced from cross-breeding of various types of carp. Koi fish are popularized by the Japanese. Many versions explain the origin of koi fish. Cultivating koi is quite easy to do, especially if you have the best koi food. The stages are similar to the ones in the cultivation of goldfish. It’s just that the thing that is being vital is the stock of quality seeds. This time we will discuss the steps for selecting and maintaining koi broodstock.
Choosing broodstock for koi fish farming
Choosing broods plays an important role in koi fish cultivation. A genetically good mother will produce good offspring. Quality broods are usually owned by enthusiasts or cultivators. If you have trouble finding a good broodstock, you can borrow it from hobbyists.
Enthusiasts usually collect quality koi fish, both for their own care and for contests. However, these hobbyists on average do not have the skills or time to marry their fish. In fact, to keep fish healthy, one of them must be mated regularly if the time has come.
When it happens farmers can work with fish owners. Where the owner benefits because the fish can be mated and the farmer can get quality offspring. In return, the owner is usually invited to choose one or two fish from the mating process.
In addition to offspring or genetic properties, prospective broodstock koi fish must have the following characteristics:
The fish is quite mature, more than 2 years old.
It has the same or similar type, for example, Kohaku with its own fellow type.
A koi ideal body shape looks like a torpedo when you see it from above.
The fish’s swimming style is calm and balanced.
It has bright and contrasting colors.
Healthy with agile movements but it does not stay quiet at the bottom of the pool.
Male and female breeders have matured gonads.
Maintenance of koi broodstock
We recommend that the prospective brood fish be kept in a special pond. The depth of the pool is at least 150 cm, and the deeper is better. Pool density must also be considered, with a maximum-sized 4 × 5 meter pool which is filled with 20 female sires or 40 male sires. This is because female sires are usually larger than male sires.
The female and male broods are kept in different ponds, the benefits are that when spawned the sires do not need to experience more bending. In general, maintenance of brood ponds is the same as maintaining an enlargement pond.
The feed given is in the form of 8 mm pellets, assuming the koi fish is older than 2 years old with a minimum size of 60 cm. The amount of feed given is about 3-5% of its own body weight within a day. The frequency of koi feeding should be 2-4 times.