Breeding koi for money
Vol: 318 Date: Sept 3 2003 Tel 011-454-01058
Contents
1. Any Crocodiles In Your Pond?
2. Warm Water and Oxygen
3. Thinking of Winter Yet?
4. You Can't Make Money Breeding Koi
5. Admin Section
1. A Related "Aquatic" Plant Story
Well that holiday didn't seem long. I went to the Kruger National Park and discovered a very interesting fact about a "marginal aquatic" plant that is creating a potentially devastating impact upon crocodile populations.
I don't think many of you have crocodiles in your pond but this is a fascinating story for anyone interested in ecology as all pond keepers are I am sure. The story concerns an invasive riverside plant called the Triffid Weed (Chromolaena odorata) which originates in South America.
The sex of unborn crocodiles is apparently determined by the egg temperature during the incubation period. The cooler the temperature then the greater the ratio of females to males and vice versa. It is possible therefore to get a complete clutch of either female or male crocodiles. A significant impact on this ratio can be made by as little as a change of between 1 and 2 degrees Fahrenheit (0.5 to 1 degrees C). The incubation temperature for almost all crocodiles wherever they live is close to 30 degrees Centigrade (86 F).
In the Lake St Lucia region of Eastern South Africa the accidental introduction of Triffid Weed is creating a situation where traditional crocodile nesting sites are now experiencing more shade and therefore lower incubation temperatures. The result is high ratios of female to male hatchlings which is threatening to wipe out crocodiles in that region. No it is not April 1st and the threat is being taken very seriously. Read more about this at http://www.issg.org/features/chromolaena.html
On our trip it was fascinating to observe larger fish catching smaller fish in the shallows of rivers at night ... what a life these fish must lead. Of course the crocodiles fed on the larger fish as we also witnessed.
Back to pond keeping now.
2. Warm Water and Oxygen In Ponds
Western Europe has experienced record temperature levels and a number of people have reported gasping fish. I anticipate that our South African summer will also be like this based upon the last few days in Johannesburg so I thought I would once again bang my oxygen drum. You will know by now my belief that any pond should contain 3 things .... water, oxygen and fish.
When water temperatures are high as they have been then a serious reduction of oxygen levels takes place in any water course for the simple unavoidable reason that water dissolves less oxygen as water temperatures increase. You can only do your best to compensate for this by ensuring your waterfall is working and that you also run a spray-type fountain. Of course if you have an air pump and air stones then keep the air pump running morning, noon and night. Water at 25 degrees C can hold only 89% of the oxygen that water at 20 degrees can hold. At 30 degrees oxygen is depleted by about 20%. This is a great deal when seen from the perspective of the the fish and the bacteria in your biofilter. In fact because dissolved oxygen content is lower the biofilter works less well which creates more of a strain on the pond system.
At higher land elevations as in large parts of South Africa, and in places like the Rockies the problem is made even worse because oxygen concentrations are also influenced by air pressure. At about 5,000 feet above sea level water holds about 8% less oxygen than at sea level.
As I have said many times you cannot add too much oxygen to your pond. Waterfalls are essential I believe in any pond.
3. Thinking of Summer Now?
By running the biofilter throughout the Winter it does not need to be restarted. Your pond gets off to a great start this way. If you are thinking of building a pond or if your pond is leaking then consider using an UV stabilised PVC liner specially designed for ponds. Our recent consignment of boxed pond liners all got water damaged on their way from the UK and the boxes do not look good and are certainly not fit for placing on shop shelves. Only the boxes are damaged of course and not the liner. We have 3 sizes and if you would like to buy at a very special price call Priscilla or Brenda at 011-454-0105.
Here are the details
SPECIAL OFFER Price Incl VAT
2FOC1412 4.2m x 3.6 m R380
2FOC1012 3.0m x 3.6 m R290
2FOC108 3.0m x m R195
For delivery outside Johannesburg add R50. Full chapter from my book on how to install a liner pond is included with the liner.
My new low cost book "How To Get and Keep Crystal Clear Water" contains a chapter on blanketweed or string algae elimination using Barley Straw. This chapter is based upon the only scientific study of using Barley Straw I have found .... and it is not just a matter of adding some Barley Straw to your pond if you want it to work. The book is only $8.00 or the equivalent in your own currency. Check it out by clicking the link below. If you buy the book I will be happy to send you the full scientific report on request ... email me for this info with your purchase reference number. Without this reference number I will not be able to provide the article
Spend a little to learn and SAVE a lot ... click here
4. Breeding Koi For Money
I am always intrigued by the koi market participants and was prompted to write these few words following a request for information from a pond keeper who had a record "crop" of koi and was looking for possible buyers She could not seem to find anyone.
Koi are wonderful fish that genuinely make real pets. They quickly learn to feed from your hand and recognize you immediately you get close to the pond.
For 99.999% of pond keepers that's all the koi will ever be ... wonderful pets. Pets also cost money and do not make money for their owners.
Dealers are not shy to encourage the view that money can be made from koi keeping. These self same dealers are happy to sell you fish at high prices but never seem to want to buy fish back from you even at low prices. Have you even come across this phenomenon?
Build your pond to enjoy the hobby ... forget making money
Don't forget to learn how to save money however ...
Spend a little to learn and SAVE a lot ... click here
NEW The Pondsolver series of instantly downloadable updated pdf books. All books Include free bonuses shown below
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3. Admin section
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