We have literally HUNDREDS of KOI & GOLDFISH from 6" to 24" to Choose From!
If you are looking for quality KOI Fish or Goldfish you simply have to see what we have to offer....
The truth is that any store can sell pond products. In fact any store can "Sell" Goldfish, KOI and other Pond Fish. However, it takes an exceptional amount of commitment and knowledge to successfully "Retail" Pond Fish. Every year we get several "Emergency" calls from panicked Lexington / Louisville Kentucky (Ky) homewowners who start mysteriously loosing fish. Most of the time the cause can be traced to a parasite outbreak that came from purchasing a new pond fish from a retail store that quite simply did not know how to "Retail" pond fish. Now that is not to say that every store that sells fish does not know how to. However, it is important to know who you are purchasing fish from and more importantly who they are purchasing their fish from.
The fact of the matter is that no matter how reputable your supplier is or how high of a quality fish your retailer orders, there is still a possibility that fish coming from a large production farm has harmful parasites and/or diseases. Therefore, We feel that it is important to describe the process that we go through to further guarantee that as a consumer you are receiving the highest quality, disease free pond fish possible. If you do not buy fish from us we encourage you to ask your retailer of choice about their process.
Quality Pond Fish - We only order the highest quality fish available. Fish suppliers will sort their fish into usually 3 different grades (Standard, Premium, and Premium Select). This ensures that our customers only receive the highest quality fish available. •Reputable Suppliers - We only order from the most reputable breeders. There are literally hundreds of "Mom and Pop" Koi farms in our area. Don't get us wrong here we have no problem with captilism and small businesses trying to make a living. However, the truth is that most of these small businesses lack the expertise and knowledge to properly grade their KOI and treat for parasites and diseases. We only use the following nationally reputable Fish Suppliers.
Quarantine Pond Fish - After we receive a shipment we quarantine our fish for an additional 2 weeks. During this quarantine period we treat the fish for common parasites such as Flukes, Anchor Worms, etc. Most diseased fish will either show signs of infections or die within 2 weeks. Therefore, you can feel confident that you are recieving disease free fish.
Acclimation of Pond Fish - Properly transporting and acclimating new fish into their new home is essential for the fish's health. KOI especially will stress very easily and this could lead to various problems including severe bacterial infections. For this reason we carefully package your new pet in a container filled with water and pure oxygen (This ensures a safe trip home of up to 6 hours). Additionally we treat the water with a product that helps lesson the stress on the fish by increasing their slime coat and sedating them slightly. Once the fish are packaged and ready for their trip home we make sure you have specific step by step instructions on how to properly acclimate the fish into their new environment. We follow this process for every fish no exceptions.
Fish Storage System - Retailing large quantities of fish comes with it's challenges. Many retailers will buy watering tanks throw a pump in it and call it a retailing system. The fact is that fish are very susceptible to stress from varying water quality. We have the most sophisticated fish retailing system you will find anywhere in Kentucky. All 10 of our tanks are isolated from each other ensuring that potential issues do not spread throughh our entire stock. Additionally, we have a continuous flow and Carbon filtered water supply system built into each tank. You can feel confident that your new finned pets are safe when purchasing pond fish from us.
Warranty of Pond Fish - While it is impossible to warranty fish for an extended period of time due to factors beyond our control. We do offer a 1 week parasite/infection free limited warranty. Simply put if a fish you buy from us shows signs of a bacterial infection, parasite, etc. within 1 week of purchase you can return that fish to us for a full refund.
Diversity - Everyone has different tastes. Therfore, we keep 10 seperate tanks full of Domestic Straight Fin & Butterfly KOI, Goldfish, & Shubunkins in various sizes from 6" to 24" .This diverse variety of fish ensures that you can find that special pet you are looking for no matter what your preferences or budget.
In summary, the ramifications to buying Goldfish and KOI from a retailer that is not properly qualified to Retail fish can be potentially devastating to your existing fish population.
Common Pond Fish Species
There are several varieties of fish that inhabit decorative ponds. We have highlighted a couple of the most common species below.
Goldfish
Comet - The comet goldfish can be distinguished from the common goldfish by its long, single and deeply forked tail fin. Comets with yellow, orange, red, red-and-white color are common. Due to the comet's hardy and active nature, and the relative ease in caring for them, they are best suited to ponds and outdoor pools. Comet-tails can grow up to 12 inches in length. Sarasa Comets have long flowing fins and are very hardy fish. They can be kept with KOI in an outdoor pond. These comet goldfish have a natural life of approximately 7 to 14 years and there are chances to live much longer in excellent conditions.
Shubunkin - The shubunkin, nicknamed "Poor Mans Koi", are similar to the common goldfish and comet goldfish in appearance. They have streamlined bodies with well-developed and even fins. However, the shubunkins are calico goldfish; they possess nacreous scales (a mix of metallic and transparent scales that are pearly in appearance). The overlapping patches of red, white, grey and black (along with dark speckles) normally extend to the finnage of shubunkins. It may take several months for the nacreous coloration to develop on a young fry (baby fish). Shubunkins are excellent pond fish because they reach a length of 9 to 16 inches at adulthood. A shubunkin goldfish is considered an adult at 2 to 3 years of age.
KOI - Choose a koi that catches your eye, a koi that makes you happy. Don’t get caught up in needing the ‘perfect pattern’ Or the ‘perfect named-variety'. Even the most superb Koi surely has some minor flaws. Sometimes when focusing in the minor flaws, we will fail to size up the real value of the Koi. Accordingly, the most important thing in judging a Koi is to place great importance on "the first impressions" gained by you the moment the Koi meets your eyes. It is also beneficial to compare many koi before making your final decision.
Here are some tips for selecting koi:
Watch the koi swim. Does it glide through the water with ease?
Are all fins intact?
Any body defects, scars or raised scales?
Any bumps or lesions on or under the skin?
Watch its breathing. Should be slow and regular, no puffing.
Choose a reputable dealer and stick with them!
Is your dealer knowledgeable about koi?
Does your dealer have an adequate facility to hold and quarantine koi?
Does your dealer handle koi correctly?
Japanese (Imported) KOI - The common carp is a hardy fish, and KOI retain that durability. KOI are cold-water fish, but benefit from being kept in the 15-25 degrees C (59-77 degrees F) range and do not react well to long cold winter temperatures, their immune system 'turning off' below 10 degrees C. Koi ponds have a meter or more of depth in areas of the world that become warm during the summer. KOI are an omnivorous fish and will often eat a wide variety of foods, including peas, lettuce, and watermelons.Koi food is designed not only to be nutritionally balanced, but also to float so as to encourage them to come to the surface. When they are eating. KOI will recognize the person feeding them and gather around him or her at feeding times. They can be trained to take food from one's hand. In the winter, their digestive system slows nearly to a halt, and they eat very little, perhaps no more than nibbles of algae from the bottom. Their appetite will not come back until the water becomes warm in the spring. When the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 °C), feeding, particularly with protein, is halted or the food can go rancid in their stomach, causing sickness. KOI can live for decades. One famous scarlet koi, named "Hanako" (c. 1751 – July 7, 1977) was owned by several individuals, the last of which was Dr. Komei Koshihara. Hanako was reportedly 226 years old upon her death.Her age was determined by removing one of her scales and examining it extensively in 1966. She is (to date) the longest-lived koi fish ever recorded.
Domestic KOI - "Is there is a difference between Japanese and Domestic Koi"? Let's imagine a Japanese family from Japan. They move to the U.S. for business reasons. Are they still Japanese? Let's say they have a child born in the U.S. Is the child still Japanese? Now they raise the child in the U.S., and the child learns to speak English fluently. Is the child still Japanese? The analogy to Koi fish is the same. Domestic Koi are still Japanese Koi, but they have grown up hearing English instead of Japanese. Their gene pool is composed of the same DNA as in the Koi born in Japan.
Butterfly KOI - Butterfly Koi originated in the mid-20th century as a result of an effort to increase the hardiness of traditional koi. Japanese breeders interbred wild Indonesian Longfin river carp with traditional koi. The resulting fish had longer fins, long barbells, pompom nostrils, and were hardier than koi. These were known in Japan as "onagaoi" or "hire naga koi", or translated in English "long tail koi". Butterfly koi cannot be judged using the traditional criteria of used for koi judging. Butterfly koi are strongly disliked by many keepers of traditional koi who view the breed as inferior to koi. They are largely unpopular in Europe and Asia, but are popular in the United States where they are more readily available. The popularity of these fish in the United States has earned them the nickname American Koi.
Fish Health Issues
While no one wants to think about having fish health issues it does happen. Our staff has been trained by the nations most renowned KOI Vet Dr. Eric Johnson. While we are not licensed veterinarians and therefore cannot treat your fish for you, we are trained in detecting and treating most common fish parasites and diseases. Our staff can help you accurately detect and treat most issues that will help ensure a fast a successful recovery for your fish should you have issues. Rather than repeat information that is readily available we will link you to Dr Eric Johnsons web site "KOIVET.COM". Simply click the logo below...
