bekko
Koi Lover
Sep 11, 2004, 4:58 PM
Post #2 of 2
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Re: [divein] spawning behavior
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In a temperate climate, spawning usually occurs in the spring as the water is warming - often when the temperature reaches 68-70F. A few weeks prior to spawning, you may notice the female develop a more robust abdominal area. A few days prior to spawning, you may notice chasing. One or more males will be following a female around the pond - often just slightly behind and under the female. They often start spawning well before dawn and continue until mid-morning or so. The chasing will be intensified and a male will occasionally come broadside to the female and push her up towards the pond edge or spawning material. As he pushes her, eggs and sperm may be released. They try to concentrate this activity around some submerged fiberous material (plant roots, artificial spawning mat, etc.). The eggs adhere to the fiberous material and will also stick to the pond walls and bottom.
Some do not like it when their fish spawn as there is the danger of the female being injured by the rough treatment and the spawning may degrade the water quality.
Most females can spawn as three-year-olds and some can spawn as two-year-olds; especially if they live in a warm climate. Same for males, perhaps a little earlier. Larger/older fish are said to produce larger eggs which have larger yolk reserves. Thus, the spawn of larger/older fish is said to have higher survival and subsequent growth.
Koi are not usually purchased separately and not as a breeding pairs per se. A dealer may be able to determine the sex of two-year-olds and can often tell the sex of three-year-olds based on body shape and the pectoral fin texture. Males are often the limiting factor and it is common to place several males with a prospective female at spawning time. If you buy three fish, there is a 75% chance that you will have at least one female and one male. If you buy four fish, the odds increase to 87.5%.
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