Koi-Dealers
A clean facility is essential for any dealer you purchase your Koi from. Dealers can have greater stocking density than a hobbyist since the that he is holding the Koi won't be there for an extended period of time. Keep the Koi in your tanks well-stocked. They are best separated by only a few inches from each other , or at least have a barrier between them. If your dealer is selling an order that is in quarantine, you don't want to purchase an Koi from the tank that may be compromised. It is important to ensure that the water that your fish drink is clean and has adequate filtration to support heavy fish loads.
Browse around here to find out special info about koi-fish.
Every shipment must be quarantined and tested for virus by the seller. Avoid dealers who take Koi into the country , and then offer them for sale.
Health
The Koi you are viewing is healthy. Normal behavior is expected from the Koi. If you observe that the Koi flashing (scratching itself on the sides of the tank) beware, it might be due to a parasite. Examine the Koi for ulcers or parasites. Examine other Koi at the vendor, if you notice numerous health issues on their fish, then it is possible to move somewhere else.
Body conformity
The body of a Koi fish should be symmetrical, with no physical deformities. Female Koi are prefered over males because of their body shape when they reach maturity. A mature female with have a large body that has a blimp-like form. A mature male has the shape of a cigar on his body.
Skin Luster
The condition of the skin greatly affects the appearance of the color. The skin color of a Koi is affected if it is ill or malnourished, or lives in a poor environment.
Quality of Color
The color must be consistent across the entire fish. If you were looking at a KerutoKoi, you wouldn't want areas of red that appeared lighter than the rest. The scales will not diffuse the color so the head color may look different from your body. Check the Koi for any loss of color. It could be a patch or area that appears aged. It is essential to choose strong colors, such as white that is vibrant and free from yellowing.
Pattern Edge
The border of the pattern's color should be defined. As the Koi grows, blurred edges will be more apparent.
Pattern of colors
The hue should be evenly distributed over the entire body of the fish. A KerutoKoi sporting red patterns toward the back of the fish is less impressive than one with a stepping stone pattern down its back.
Price
The majority of small Koi have a set price. Larger Koi are priced per individual. Japanese Koi have the highest costs. They're show winners and they keep their color because of strict breeding protocols. The majority of domestic (US breeders) and imported (Malaysia, Indonesia, China, ect) Koi fish are easily priced, but they tend to be small and will lose their color. Beware of dealers who attempt to sell you koi with inflated prices. Most of the time, they identify the Koi as "imported" or sell domestically bred Koi with "Japanese parents" to "improve" the value of their Koi. Any dealer that is reputable will know the source of their Koi.
