how to catch koi fish

Since we are talking about wild koi, chances are his original habitat will be that of a bigger scale. In that case, draining a larger body of water is not an option, and finding the fish can sometimes be tricky.

Luckily there are tools that can help you with this part of the task! A number of fish finders can make your job so much easier. 

They are perfect for navigating through water and locating the fish, making sure you do not go back to your pond empty-handed.

For further aid regarding tips and equipment learn more about it here. 

There are many different approaches to catching a koi for your outdoor pond. On one side it can depend on the type and the size of the koi’s initial habitat and on the other, on your personal preference.
But one thing is certain – proper cast nets are essential. It is the best way to catch a koi, especially if you are planning to catch more than just a few. 

Even though it is easier to handle lager nets with some additional assistance, it is not necessary. Choosing the right net might be all the help that you need.

Like with any animal, you should approach holding and handling a koi with caution and care. Whether big or small, koi don’t have strong bones. 
Lifting them out of the water should be done carefully, in ways that prevent injuries.

Large Koi: The way to handle a big fish is to tuck their head closer to your armpit and hold tight as to prevent their strong and sudden kick, but not too tight so you wouldn’t hurt them.

Small Koi: Handling a small fish is a bit different. You should place one hand under their head and the other on the opposite side of their body, again preventing them to jerk and flip.
Another way would be to place a plastic container underneath them and lift. 
Sock Net
A sock net is a helpful tool used frequently by professional koi breeders. It is a safe and efficient way of handling koi, big or small.

For the transportation of the koi, you can use a regular plastic tub. The size of the tub will depend, of course, one the size of the fish you are transporting koi. 

Adult koi can grow up to 90 centimeters and they should be divided into separate containers. If you caught smaller specimens, you can place several of them in the same, large tub.
Water Temperature
This is important: Always check that the water is not too hot! The warmer the water, the less oxygen there is for the fish. 
So be sure to test the temperature of the water just before you leave the pond.
In case you are taking a long trip from their previous habitat to your outdoor pond, it would be useful to have an air pump. That way, you can maintain the level of oxygen in the plastic tub.

Just like many other species of fish, koi are very sensitive to change in the water temperature and PH. There is a huge risk of your koi going into shock. So how to avoid this?
Well, the key is to let the koi get gradually accustomed to the water temperature of your pond. There are 2 ways of doing so:

Adding a bit of pond water to the container and wait 10 minutes, then repeating the process until the temperature in the tub equals that of the pond.

Using Stress Coat. This water conditioner reduces stress in fish by up to 40%! It is beneficial in calming the koi, but also easy and safe to use.
Monitor the Situation
Even after the initial process of introducing the koi into the pond, you should continue to oversee the situation until the koi are fully adapted to their new surroundings.

Additional tip: Arrange the pond in a way that would be the most suitable for the koi. That means making sure there are things on the surface, but also in the pond itself that can provide cover and safety.

An average lifespan of a koi fish is around 40 years. That means further maintenance of the pond and proper care are necessary.

Here are a few quick tips and tools:

 Feeding: Be careful not to overfeed the koi, it contaminates the water causing the growth of bacteria. Feeding them once a day is enough.
Crowd Control: Overpopulated pond is a health risk. Keep track of the number of fish and plants.
Cleaning: The right pump and filtration system is essential in maintaining the hygiene of your pond. Also, you can do a daily check for any debris floating on the surface.
Algae: Algaes can be a big problem, depriving the koi of oxygen. Use algaecides or install a UV lamp to the filtrations system as a way to control algae growth.
Regulating Temperature: Watch out for any big changes in water temperature. Use aquatic plants and aerators to regulate the heat during hot days, and de-icer and a heater during cold winters.

Using these 6 steps as a guide you can enrich your outdoor pond with wild koi. 
Even though it does require some skill and investment in suitable equipment, following these tips with determination and patience should be quite simple.

After catching the fish and introducing it to the pond don’t forget the last, and maybe most important phase of this tutorial: Although they can be a great addition to your outdoor pond