This page intends to keep you up to date with proceedings through this years breeding program, and to keep all relevant information regarding the fry together on one page.
Availability
No more fry for 2008. Please call regarding 1-2" and 2-3" fish
September 2nd Update
1-2" and 2-3" fish now available for growing on through the winter. Coming soon will be news of the Autumn Harvest, with hundreds of fish from 2-18" becoming available!!!
We are able to supply fry from our breeding at two different ages. For more experienced fish keepers, 2-3 (10mm) week old fish, supplied straight from their hatching pond. These fish still require live feed and subsequent weaning onto dry diets.
Our 6-8 week (15-22mm) mixed variety fry are suitable for all fish keepers, with the fish already feeding on dry diets, which can be supplied by ourselves if necessary. These fish provide a fantastic expansion of the hobby for koi keepers, or represent the cheapest way for companies to supply their own requirements if they have growing facilities. Customers are recommended to read our website or the sheet supplied with the fry to ensure success with such small fish.
Costs (excluding delivery)
/100
/250
/500
/1000
2-3 week old
£25
£45
£75
6-8 week old
£25
£50
£90
£150
Care
Koi fry are a very enjoyable way to expand on your hobby. Having enjoyed keeping koi for a few years, many of our customers decide to try rearing their own from a small age. However, keeping such fragile fish can often be difficult, but following our guidelines there is no reason why anyone cannot experiment with this area of fishkeeping.
1) Koi, because of their breeding, have a relatively poor immune system, and at 6 weeks old it is practically non existent! Koi fry must never be mixed with any other fish. Pathogens that your old fish (of any species) have learnt to live with and repel will quickly infest your fry and wipe out the population very quickly. One of the most common calls we get from people losing fry turns out to be the problem that they have been added to water previously used for other fish, or after release into a system that uses the same water/filter as a pond with existing stock. Don't do it! Fry from 'natural' spawnings will often survive as they are hatched in those same conditions. Our fish are hand stripped and hatched in relatively 'sterile' conditions. This increases survival and quality but does affect immunity at a young age. Apart from this, fish fry are the favourite food of any fish large enough to eat them, even fry of different sizes cannabilise each other! You will find that some varieties of koi naturally grow quicker than others, which should be appreciated when buying mixed batches of fish.
2) Water quality, as you would expect, must be first class to support young fish through the early stages of their development. Highest quality filter systems and oxygenation is a must. Consistent average water quality rather than 'peaks and troughs' will see most fish survive happily. Stress through water quality changes can have great effects on your koi. Often, water changes will sort these problems out, but make sure it is gradual, nothing more than a trickle. This will ensure no major sudden changes in chemical composition occur, stressing the fish.
3) Feeding your fry is a relatively simple issue. Any standard Koi diet crushed or ground in a blender will see a suitable development and growth. We will be able to sell you fry food, specially developed for the perfect development of koi fry, and matched to the size of fish we send you. Small regular feeds on a daily basis (subject to space and water quality) will give sustained growth and your fish will soon learn to congregate around the feeding spot.
4) Whatever unit you decide to grow your fry in, it is recommended that you heat the water to around 20 degrees to maximise growth and health of the fish. A constant temperature profile will provide optimum conditions for the health and survival of your fish.
5) Your young koi, dependant upon their variety, will look very different from their adult shape and colour. Body shape develops with age, and though influenced by fitness and food availability, there are general developmental changes you will notice as they grow. Colours on your koi will develop at a greater rate when young, and in some cases will keep changing throughout the life of your fish. Above all do not expect your fry to be as brightly coloured as you would expect the adults to be. The colours will come with time and is part of the excitement of rearing fry.
6) Consider what you will do with your fry as they grow. If you achieve a good survival rate (around 75%) the fish will rapidly outgrow their units, causing overcrowding and health problems. Ensure you have enough space for your fish, or a way of thinning them out.