Cold Buy: Purchasing Your Koi in the Winter

If you’ve had your mind set on buying your next koi, you shouldn’t let colder temperatures stop you from scratching that itch. In fact, the patient enthusiast can get some great koi at great prices when the mercury starts to plummet. The savvy buyer can find some of the best deals as vendors look to clear inventory at great prices.

Don’t let the prices fool you. A lowered price does not mean inferior quality. It means that the vendor or dealer is looking to clear out their inventory. For a dealer or koi seller, reputation counts more than simply “making the sale.” In the digital age, bad news travels at the speed of a send button. As do poor reviews. With as many options as there are available to enthusiasts or hobbyists, being known for quality and customer service is extremely important. Even one bad review can impact sales.

It is still important to do your homework, though. Some sellers and dealers will shut operations down for the colder seasons, so it will limit some of your choices. For those that stay open, there are some basic boxes that you should check as part of your due diligence.

Does the dealer know the source?

Knowing where their koi are coming from is vital for a dealer. It means that they are not “flying blind” as to the quality and condition of their stock.

What is the source?

This is helpful in conducting your own research. Then you know a little more about the overall quality and pedigree of the koi you will be ordering.

Are the koi from more than one source mixed together?

This isn’t a deal breaker as long as the sources are both reputable and they have undergone proper quarantine protocols.

Is the source bio secure?

Some dealers or online providers won’t be able to verify that the facilities they are receiving their stock from aren’t exposed to potential illness from an outside source. This can spell headaches down the line.

Have the fish been quarantined, and if so, for how long?

You don’t need to introduce a potential health risk into your existing population, and proper quarantining before you receive your new additions will go a long way to preventing that. The time that it is quarantined is important as sometimes parasites or diseases will take a while to manifest themselves. If you have a pond already stocked with koi, it is good practice to separate your new arrivals for a minimum of two weeks, regardless of their source.

Has your preferred dealer had to treat for any health issues?

This is particularly important in the cold weather as some illnesses don’t manifest themselves until water temperatures start to rise. So you might not notice anything until the weather improves.

What are the water parameters the fish are coming from?

For one, pH levels are an important factor. Wild swings in pH can result in death of your new koi within a few days. Getting your pond or tank as close to the level the koi is coming from will create less stress on the arriving koi’s body chemistry.

How long of a guarantee does the dealer give?

Again, reputation is important. In general, the better or longer the guarantee, the more reputable the dealer.

How is shipping handled?

If you’re not picking up the koi from the dealer and transporting them yourself, the fashion in which your purchases are shipped (the type of containers), how long it takes, where it is delivered (airport pick up or front-door delivery) can all have an impact on your koi.

Even if you opt for overnight shipping (which is highly advisable) exactly when it arrives will depend on the time you placed the order, where you live, where the package is coming from as well as the shipping practices of the dealer.

If the dealer has the option of insulating the box against extreme temperatures, it is a worthwhile investment. It will add a little more peace of mind for the enthusiast and comfort for the koi in transit, especially when it is cold outside.

Of course there are some basic environmental considerations if you are buying koi and introducing them into a winter-type environment.

For one, water temperature is important. If you are using the colder months as the time to purchase your koi and live in warmer states, the temperature difference might not be as big of an issue.

However, if your water is consistently under 50ºF, use caution. If your goal is to get the koi into your outdoor pond, consider acclimating your fish to colder water indoors before moving them outdoors. You can do it in stages to reduce any shock.

Alternatively, if you have an indoor setup, keep them inside all winter and introduce them to your pond in the spring. You have the pleasure of their company and you will get to see their personalities for a couple of months. Plus, they will be that little more comfortable.

At Next day Koi, we’re here to help you with your next living jewel. With seasonal offers to match the quality of our koi, you will be able to stock your pond or tank with koi fish for sale that come with a 14-day guarantee and some of the best shipping rates in the industry—regardless of season.