Koi Delivery

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Preparing your koi for delivery

Healthy shipping begins long before your koi is placed in a bag. We prepare each fish carefully to make sure it is ready for transport.

• Starvation period: All koi are rested and starved for 24 hours before shipping. This may sound harsh, but it’s essential for their well-being. By fasting the fish, we reduce waste in the bag during transit, which keeps the water cleaner and healthier for the journey.

• Health checks: Each koi is inspected to ensure it is in top condition. We check for clear eyes, intact scales, undamaged fins, and overall vitality. Only fish in excellent health are shipped.

• Water quality monitoring: The ponds are carefully checked before the fish are netted. We reduce excess algae and ensure the water is clean, giving your koi the best environment right up until it is packed.

This preparation stage is the most important part of the process. By taking these steps, we give your koi the best chance of arriving strong, calm, and ready to settle into its new home.

Sorting and handling

Koi are handled with the utmost care during the packing process. To avoid injury and stress:

• Fish are separated by size, so larger koi cannot harm smaller ones during the journey.

• Only a safe number of koi are packed into each bag. Overcrowding increases stress, so we always give them the space they need.

• Each koi is transferred into a holding net before packing. This allows them to pass any remaining waste and ensures the bag water stays as clean as possible. It also prevents the koi from trying to feed off any algae on the sides of the pond.

Everything is done with care and patience, so the fish are calm when placed in their bags.

Fresh, treated water

We never use pond water for shipping. Instead, we use fresh, treated water specifically prepared for packing. 

• Conditioning: We add a special koi-safe treatment that removes chlorine and protects the fish during transport. This includes Colombo Fish Protect, which helps protect the gills and reduces stress.

• Salt levels: A small amount of salt is added to further support the koi and keep stress levels low.

• Temperature matching: Bag water is floated in the pond before packing. This ensures the water temperature is almost identical to what the fish are used to, preventing shock during transfer.

By providing koi with fresh, protected water, we create a safe, stable environment for the journey ahead.

Oxygen and bagging

Correct oxygen levels are vital for koi shipping. We use professional techniques to ensure fish remain healthy for the entire journey.

• Measured water levels: We add just the right amount of water, enough to cover the fish comfortably, but not too much. Too much water means less oxygen in the bag.

• Pure oxygen: Bags are filled with oxygen so the koi can breathe easily throughout transit. The balance of water to oxygen is carefully calculated.

• Double-bagging: Each koi is packed in two layers of heavy-duty plastic bags. This prevents leaks and ensures that even if one bag is damaged, the second will protect the fish.

• Elastic sealing: We never use cable ties, which can cut into the bags. Instead, bags are hand-sealed with elastic bands in a professional method that has been used in Japan for decades.

This process creates a safe, airtight environment that keeps your koi comfortable and stress-free until arrival.

Boxing and final checks

Once bagged, the koi are placed into strong, double walled boxes. The bags are cushioned securely to prevent movement during transport. The final checks include:

• Ensuring bags are firmly sealed and holding oxygen correctly

• Making sure there’s no spare space for the bags to move around in the box

• Taping and securing the box for safe travel

Only when we are confident everything is perfect is your koi handed to the courier. 

Professional standards

The methods we use are based on traditional Japanese koi-shipping practices combined with our team’s years of experience. This ensures the highest possible standards of care. 

We never cut corners. Every step, from fasting to oxygenation, is designed to reduce stress and safeguard the health of your koi.

On arrival

When your koi arrives, it will be in tip-top condition thanks to the careful preparation. To help it settle smoothly: 

1. Float the bag in your pond for at least 20–30 minutes to equalise temperature.

2. Don’t rush to release the fish - allow time for it to adjust.

3. Gently net the koi into your pond and discard the bag water.

Following these steps will give your new koi the best start in its new home.

Why our customers trust us

Ordering koi online can feel daunting, but with Exclusively Koi you can be confident that:

• Your fish are prepared and packed with the utmost care.

• Every koi is inspected and handled by experienced professionals.

• The process has been refined over years, following the same standards used by leading Japanese breeders.

Our goal is simple: to deliver koi that arrive healthy, vibrant, and ready to thrive in your pond.

In summary

Preparation is everything when it comes to shipping koi. From careful fasting and health checks to oxygenated bags and professional sealing, we take every step to ensure your fish arrives in excellent condition.

When you order from Exclusively Koi, you’re not just buying a fish, you’re trusting us to deliver a living, breathing creature safely to your door. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, and we’re proud to say our methods make the difference.