|
Visiting A Koi
Auction
There are many ways of acquiring new fish for your pond. You can buy them from a pet shop, or you can visit a specialist aquatic dealer who will have more of a selection. A friend may be emptying his pond, or tank and give some surplus fish, or you may be given some fry to grow on. Perhaps the most exciting and risky way of gaining new fish is to visit a Koi auction. These are held at some of the larger specialist aquatic retailers throughout the summer, although Autumn also seems to be a popular time for them. This could be because the foreign breeders are trying to clear out surplus stocks that have not sold during the season and offer them at an enticing price to the retailer who then has to find some quick way of selling them. This does not mean that the fish offered at auctions are rubbish, merely surplus to the dealer’s requirements.
With careful buying some real bargains can he had, but it is only too easy to get caught up in the excitement of the auction and bid over the top. The best advice is to shop around first and get a good idea of the value of different size fish. Then get to the auction early so that you can examine the fish that are usually held in big blue vats. Make notes if you need to, but get a good idea of what want and the price you are prepared to pay for it. If the auction is well attended it could be organized chaos, but if it is less popular you may get a real bargain. Indeed you may be the only bidder on certain fish.
After the auction and you have got your fish, take them home and then ideally you should isolate them for several weeks before adding them to your pond.
They will have been freshly imported and will need some time to settle down to normal pond life. It is a good idea to give them a dose of a good, general purpose, medicine and treat them for parasites as well. It is also a good idea to feed your newly acquired fish frequently with a good quality food to boost their depleted reserves in preparation for the winter that may be a lot harsher than they’re used to.
|
