The Correct Way to Handle Koi
By Kurt Herman and Prof Jim Phillips
Kurt Herman is the manager of Nishikigoi Koi Farm and is an expert at handling Koi. He has also helped with the netting and benching at many SAKKS Koi Shows. From time to time, it will be necessary to catch and handle your Koi and in this article. Kurt will describe and illustrate the proper/correct way to do it. If done properly, it is not stressful for the Koi or the hobbyist!
It amazes me when I go on pond safaris how few hobbyists possess a proper Koi net. Many have no net and others have a swimming pool net that is designed for skimming leaves. The first essential piece of equipment a Koi Keeper should have, is a good quality proper Koi net. You will also need a bowl, which like the Koi net should be big enough for your Koi and dedicated for use with Koi.
The bowl should not be used for other things as it must not
become contaminated with chemicals or detergents.
For photographing Koi a blue bowl is best. Another useful piece of equipment is a sock net. This, like the pond net and bowl, should be kept clean and not used on other ponds. I always soak my nets and bowls in the chlorinated swimming pool after use. When catching a Koi find a secure place around the pond where you can see the Koi and stand comfortably without any danger of falling in. Never catch a Koi with the net: this causes stress to you and the Koi. The way to catch Koi is to outsmart them.
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By keeping the net parallel to the bottom of the pond it presents a smaller profile to the Koi and is less threatening. The technique is to bring the net up from below the Koi. Koi can swim only swim quick when going forwards so once the Koi is near the surface you need to tilt the net slightly to stop the Koi swimming forwards out of the net. Some people like to steer the Koi into a corner with the net but Kurt says not to do this as the cornered Koi tends to try jump out.
Never lift a Koi out of the water with the net.
This can cause damage to your Koi, especially the larger ones. Once in the net, near the surface, gently steer the Koi – in the net – towards the bowl or sock-net. Never try to push or drag the Koi I the net as this can cause the fins to get trapped and damaged. Hold the bowl deep in the water and gently steer the Koi over the top of the bowl, and then let it swim into the bowl.
Alternatively take the Koi from the net using the sock net. Catch the Koi in the sock net head first. He can then be lifted and carried to a bowl. Always use a good quality sock net as some types of sock net can strip the mucus layer from the Koi. Some hobbyists use a plastic bag instead of a sock net. Once in the bowl the Koi can be handled. Before handling a Koi remove your watch and jewellery from your hands and wrist to prevent injury to the Koi. You should not leave the Koi alone in the bowl but if you do get called away for a minute, cover the bowl with the net in case the Koi jumps. The water in the bowl can heat up quickly so never leave a Koi alone for more than one minute, it can run out of oxygen very quickly, If you are going to be away from the Koi for more than one minute, release it back into the pond until you are ready to work with is again. The water in the bowl should not be too deep. It should just cover the Koi as they need a good volume of water to pick up speed to jump.
There are different techniques for handling Koi depending in the size.
Small Koi (less than 12 cm) are best handled with one hand. Have the head towards the thumb, hold the side of the head with the index finger and if necessary, the thumb can hold the nose.
Another technique is to hold the head between the index and
second finger. This technique is especially useful for examining the mouth.
If you can lay the Koi on its back I will usually stay still
and allow you to examine the underside.
You will be surprised how quickly your technique will improve with practice.
Some hobbyists are scared to handle large Koi. Although they are much stronger, they are slower and easier to catch than small Koi. Before handling a large Koi in a bowl Kurt likes to stroke the Koi to see how it will react. Some are more placid than others. I find Koi that are netted regularly get used to it and are perfectly calm. Koi seems to sense if you are nervous so be confident and gentle.
To hold a large Koi in a bowl, hold under the head with the pectoral fin between the thumb and the rest of the hand.
Use the other hand to hold just in front of the tail on the peduncle.
To turn a Koi over to examine the underside move you hand so that it is over the head. Clamp the pectoral fin to the body and flip the Koi over so that the underside faces you before coming to the top.
If the Koi is not happy and thrashes around, do not force it against the side of the bowl. Stay calm and let the Koi calm down before trying again.
Occasionally there is a need to inject the Koi. There are several ways to do this.
Kurt does this on his own using his arm to hold the Koi while injecting with the other hand at the back of the dorsal fin.
This way Kurt can feel when the Koi is going to move and not rip the flesh with the syringe needle. Perhaps the most spectacular handling is the carrying of big Koi. This is done by holding the head with one hand, pointing it towards your own stomach. Then, with the other hand, support the body by holding the Koi at the centre of the underside. This hand should be up against the abdominal or pelvic fins.
When a Koi moves, it moves its tails o do not try and hold the tail. The central part of the Koi does not move. Hold the Koi firmly but gently in the centre and let the tail flex. You will have to allow your hands to move a little with the Koi. Kurt gets plenty of practice and handles Koi expertly without stress. Hobbyists should aspire to becoming good Koi handlers.
Remember, be confident and gentle.