Preparing for koi spawning

<p><span style="font-size: small;">By planning a spawning you can control when your koi mate, and also which of your koi mate, thus beginning to develop your own strain. If at all possible divide your pond into sections by means of floating net cages. If this is not possible you will have to use a separate breeding tank. Before introducing the broodstock prior to spawning males and females should be kept separately. Temporary net cages can be made from something as basic as fine net curtain fabric draped and tied over a rectangular frame. The frame can be made from 40-50mm (1.5-2") pipe. Using 90% bends form the pipe into a rectangle, tie on the net so as it can hang in the pool and use weights at the corners to hold it down, forming a pool within a pool. The breeding area will be completely enclosed within the net. This will protect the fish and ensure the eggs are contained. To emulate the professional breeders use spawning ropes or brushes in the bottom of the net, this will replicate the fish's natural spawning grounds. Spawning ropes are made of fine nylon strands twisted around a central wire, similar to filter brushes but longer and finer. Koi mating is quite physical. The fish, especially the females, can end up with scale damage and worse due to the buffeting and bumping involved. (See Spawning below) Place one female and three males into the breeding net three days before the expected spawning. When the spawning is complete and the ropes are covered in eggs they are removed from the pool. A breeding tank can be made from any large container that has an adequate surface area and can be set up with filtration and aeration. However, you need to be aware of where they came from and what they contained previously as certain materials and liquids are toxic to fish. A quarantine tank could be used as a breeding tank if it is available. When setting up a breeding tank fill it with water from the existing pond so as there is no difference in water quality. This will place less stress on the broodstock when they are moved. When the breeding tank has been cleaned and filled with water, you need to make sure that the aeration is working well and at it's best. Using the same ratio of broodstock as the professional fish farmers ie. one mature female and three mature males, should ensure that you will get the best results possible, namely all eggs being fertilized. </span></p>