Fish Relocation & Temporary Holding

When You Need Fish Relocation

Whether you are renovating your pond, moving to a new property, or dealing with an emergency that requires your koi to be removed from their environment, professional handling makes all the difference. Improper catching and transport is a leading cause of injury and stress-related illness in koi.

Our Relocation Process

Safe Handling Techniques

We use koi socks, floating bowls, and soft nets designed specifically for ornamental fish. Every fish is handled with care to minimise mucus coat damage, which is your koi’s first line of defence against infection. We sedate fish when necessary for larger specimens or long-distance moves.

Temporary Holding Facilities

If your pond will be out of commission for days or weeks, we provide temporary holding in aerated, filtered tanks. Water quality is monitored daily and fish are observed for signs of stress or disease. We maintain appropriate stocking density and temperature control throughout the holding period.

Acclimatisation Protocols

When it is time to reintroduce your koi, we follow a careful acclimatisation process. Temperature matching, gradual water mixing, and a settling period help your fish transition back with minimal stress. Rushing this step is one of the most common mistakes we see.

Health Checks Before & After Transport

Every relocation includes a visual health assessment before and after the move. We check for injuries, parasite loads, and stress indicators. If any issues are found, we can treat them before your fish go back into the pond.

Common Relocation Scenarios

We regularly assist with house moves within Gauteng and beyond, emergency evacuations due to equipment failures, new pond commissioning and fish introductions, and show fish transport for koi competitions.