How to transport Koi
One of the many questions we are asked almost new hobbyist's is "How do I transport my fish to a koi show/new home?"
So you have your prized koi ready for a show the first thing you will need is the clear plastic bags designed for transporting fish (get at least 2), you should be able to get these from your club or local Koi dealer.
Other items needed are elastic bands and a strong box preferably plastic (in case of any leaks) large shallow pan net, electric air pump a koi sock (tubuar net, kind of like a wind sock) and a good friend for help with loading.
First place one bag inside the other (double bag) and fill with 1/3 of water, roll the top of the bag down so that the bag will not collapse in on itself, I always leave the bag resting at the side of the pond.
Once you have caught your koi transfer by using the koi sock to the bag, pick the whole lot up and gently place while still holding the neck of the bag into a study plastic box, if required add more water so your koi's back is covered by water. Now get your electric air pump and thread the air line inside the bag to inflate (NEVER blow into the bag as your breath has carbon dioxide, something your prize koi will not appreciate).
Twist the top of the plastic bag and use an elastic band on both bags to secure them. Why two bags? just in case one splits your koi will still survive the journey. Once done, lay the bag down inside the box and cover with a lid to keep the koi calm. Now with help from a friend you can load your koi into your car.
The best way of loading your koi is drop the rear seat and place the box securely in the car make sure the koi is sideways on to the car not nose to tail, if for some reason you have to break hard the koi will roll from side to side and not wack it's nose or tail on the box plus you could be in danger of breaking the koi's back.
So you have your prized koi ready for a show the first thing you will need is the clear plastic bags designed for transporting fish (get at least 2), you should be able to get these from your club or local Koi dealer.
Other items needed are elastic bands and a strong box preferably plastic (in case of any leaks) large shallow pan net, electric air pump a koi sock (tubuar net, kind of like a wind sock) and a good friend for help with loading.
First place one bag inside the other (double bag) and fill with 1/3 of water, roll the top of the bag down so that the bag will not collapse in on itself, I always leave the bag resting at the side of the pond.
Once you have caught your koi transfer by using the koi sock to the bag, pick the whole lot up and gently place while still holding the neck of the bag into a study plastic box, if required add more water so your koi's back is covered by water. Now get your electric air pump and thread the air line inside the bag to inflate (NEVER blow into the bag as your breath has carbon dioxide, something your prize koi will not appreciate).
Twist the top of the plastic bag and use an elastic band on both bags to secure them. Why two bags? just in case one splits your koi will still survive the journey. Once done, lay the bag down inside the box and cover with a lid to keep the koi calm. Now with help from a friend you can load your koi into your car.
The best way of loading your koi is drop the rear seat and place the box securely in the car make sure the koi is sideways on to the car not nose to tail, if for some reason you have to break hard the koi will roll from side to side and not wack it's nose or tail on the box plus you could be in danger of breaking the koi's back.