Koi fish are one of the most popular ornamental fish in the world. Having beautiful colors and elegant movements makes koi fish the main choice for ornamental ponds, both at home and in the garden. However, to produce quality koi fish, it is important to understand the right harvesting techniques.
There are several steps in harvesting koi fish in a rearing pond, from preparation to how to maintain the quality of the fish after harvest.
1. Preparation Before Harvest
Before harvesting koi fish, there are several things that need to be prepared to ensure the harvest process runs smoothly and the koi fish remain healthy:
Water quality: Make sure the water quality in the rearing pond remains optimal. Check the pH, temperature, oxygen levels, and ammonia levels. Ideally, the pH of water for koi is between 7-8 and the temperature between 18-25°C.
Harvesting Equipment: Prepare the necessary tools such as fine nets, plastic buckets, and fish containers. Use a soft net so as not to damage the scales and skin of the fish.
Physical Condition of the Fish: Make sure the koi fish have reached the desired size and are in good health before harvesting.
2. Correct Harvesting Technique
Harvesting koi fish requires caution to avoid injury to the fish and maintain their quality. Here are the steps for correct harvesting techniques:
Net Fish Carefully: Use a fine net to catch the fish slowly. Avoid shaking or pulling the fish by force. This can cause stress or even injury to the fish.
Separate Fish Based on Size: If there are koi fish of various sizes, separate the fish based on size categories. This will help in the sales or distribution process, as well as avoid fights between fish of very different sizes.
Check Fish Health: After catching the fish, check its physical condition. Make sure there are no wounds or diseases. Healthy koi fish should have bright colors, agile movements, and show no signs of stress.
3. Determine the Right Harvest Time
Determining the right harvest time is very important to produce high-quality koi fish. Here are some reasons why the right harvest time is important:
Fish Quality: Koi fish harvested at the right size usually have brighter colors and are more attractive to buyers. Choosing the right harvest time will also affect the stress level of the fish.
Optimal Growth: Harvesting koi fish when they have reached their optimal size will ensure that they have a good body shape and are healthy.
Market Price: Koi fish harvested at the ideal size often have a higher selling price on the market.
4. Handling Koi Fish After Harvest
After the koi fish are harvested, it is important to take good care of them to maintain their quality. Here are some steps that can be taken:
Proper Storage: If the koi fish are going to be moved to another place, make sure the container or bucket where the fish are located has clean water and enough oxygen. Do not leave the fish submerged without oxygen for too long.
Transportation: If the koi fish must be sent to another place, make sure the transportation uses a suitable and safe container. Use a special plastic bag for koi fish filled with enough water and oxygen.
Regular Health Checks: Before the koi fish are sold or moved to a new pond, carry out regular health checks. Some common koi fish diseases are bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections.
Of course, after the harvest, the koi fish at Be Koi will be quarantined, so that later when the fish will be sent to the fish buyer, it is safe. Only fish handling procedures need to be carried out after the trip. Of course, all procedures for fish health from Be Koi will be directly guided by the Be Koi team by sending files related to information guides and also consultation services related to fish that have just entered the pond or the condition of the buyer’s pond after fish from Be Koi are entered. Of course via Be Koi’s WhatsApp chat.
