Know How to Find Healthy Koi

Are you planning to raise Koi fish? If you decide to do so, the best plan is to learn as much information about them as you can before your buy any. With many Koi selling for $100 or more, it doesn't make sense to go around willy-nilly buying them when you have no clue what to look for in prime Koi fish.

Your best bet is to see what kind of pricing is available on the internet, and also check with any local dealers to see where you will get the best buys and the healthiest fish. If you buy from the internet, check the shipping costs. Sometimes shipping fees are greater than the value of the fish. One problem with buying Koi from eBay is that you have no idea how healthy the fish are, or how well cared for they are. The person selling Koi on eBay may also be clueless about the value or quality of any particular fish. When you purchase the Koi in person, you have the opportunity to examine the fish closely and check for injuries, disease or other problems.

If you decide to buy Koi locally, you should check with as many Koi specialists beforehand as you can. A high school kid working at the local pet store is unlikely to have the expertise necessary to help you make the best choice in Koi fish. A longtime Koi specialist is more likely to be able to help you make the ideal purchase.

If you purchase Koi locally, the dealer will probably put the fish in a plastic bag. When you put the fish in the car, you can decrease the trauma to the fish by putting the plastic bag into a box or an ice chest, and placing it somewhere in the car where it will receive the smoothest ride. The less movement the fish feels during the ride, the better.

A few things to look for in a healthy and quality Koi are:

• The head remains fairly level in the water when the fish swims
• The body has a nice plump oval shape
• The head is nicely rounded
• There is a lack of inflammation
• There are no scars, scratches or other injuries
• The fish does not remain still or listless in the water
• There is no splotching
• The eyes are clear
• There are no torn or ripped fins
• The fins are held evenly at the sides
• The fish with clear distinct markings are often the most valued

Remember that this is an incomplete list of what to look for in quality Koi. You should learn all you can about these beautiful fish before making purchases. Try to find to finest Koi fish available if you plan to breed and sell them.

Koa Lee is a major importer of Japanese Koi Fish. You can find out for information about KOI at http://www.koistop.com

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