Thank you for ordering Koi from us!
Keeping your new fish healthy
Proper Acclimation:
Your new fish are guaranteed to arrive alive and healthy. If they appear otherwise YOU MUST CONTACT US
IMMEDIATELY. If you do not contact us immediately no refunds will be given…NO EXCEPTIONS. To assure
the health of your new fish, it is vital to properly acclimate them to the body of water in which you are releasing them.
The most important element of acclimation is temperature compatibility between the water they are shipped in and the
water they are released in. If the fish have been in the bags for less than four hours, follow the steps outlined in
Temperature Acclimation. If they have been in the bags for more than four hours and/or appear distressed in any
way, AND THE TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE IS LESS THAN TEN DEGREES between the bags and the
tank or pond, you could consider releasing them immediately. It is critical for you to have checked the water quality
in the tank or pond PRIOR to releasing them. Especially check the pH, ammonia, nitrite, and temperature. The
pH should be between 7 and 9, and you should have ZERO ammonia or nitrite.
Temperature Acclimation:
Upon arrival home, promptly float the shipping bag, with the fish inside, in the pond or aquarium. Your goal here is to
get the temperature in the bag exactly the same as in the pond or aquarium. This will take anywhere from 15 minutes
to one-half hour, depending on the temperature difference between the two. If you are putting the fish outdoors, make
sure you do not float them in direct sunlight. Put something over the floating bag to shade the fish. Also I do not
recommend trying to acclimate fish to water that is below 55 degrees. Once you are sure the temperature in the bag
is exactly the same as the pond or aquarium, you should pour the fish into an appropriate container. Once in that
container, use a net or likewise to release them to your tank or pond. NEVER PUT THE SHIPPING WATER INTO
YOUR TANK OR POND.
Other IMPORTANT NOTES:
ALL NEW FISH SHOULD BE QUARANTINED IN A SEPARATE FACILITY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO
WEEKS TO ONE MONTH BEFORE INTRODUCTION TO YOUR POND OR AQUARIUM. However
do not attempt to do this unless you have the proper size tank with a CYCLED filter. If you do not have
this then release the fish to the pond. Otherwise if you try to hold them in a small tank or tub you will
kill them with water quality issues.
Go to the Koi and Pond Emergengy Tab on our home page for more details concerning quarantine protocols, water quality, and
health care. Fish are guaranteed to arrive alive and in good condition. If they do not arrive in good shape
CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY. No other warranty applies if you do not contact us immediately or to
improper quarantine or handling on the part of the end user.
Once you pick up your fish, transporting them for more than an hour in hot weather may require you to keep
them cool. Your goal is not really to cool the water, but to keep it from getting hotter. The hotter water gets, the
less oxygen it can hold. So, for this reason, you may need to utilize ice, but not in direct contact with the water
in the bag. If needed, put it near the bag to cool the surrounding area, but not directly against the water.
WARNING:
Koi are known for jumping out of new, unfamiliar water during the first 24 hours or so after release,
so it is best to cover your pond or aquarium during this time. A secondary method would be to float something
such as Styrofoam on the surface to give them a feeling of security as well as to detour any jumping.