Now that you have checked your chlorine levels you are ready to buy the beautiful and graceful Koi for  your pond.  Like goldfish, Koi are members of the carp family.  However, while goldfish are rather easy to care for, Koi are much more demanding and are mostly unsuitable for smaller ponds, as they can grow to over 3 feet in length.  They are not as tolerant of temperature extremes and tend to become listless as the water temperature of the pond approaches 70 degrees F.  They can overwinter where the bottom of the pond does not freeze so long as a hole is left in the ice for oxygen exchange.  They also have a tendency to uproot plants.

 I would highly recommend your purchase your Koi from a reputable dealer, such as Live Aquaria.com.  LiveAquaria.com has a 14 day arrive alive, stay alive guarantee!  If something does happen to your fish  within the guarantee period LiveAquaria will replace it  at no charge.   Some dealers will give you anywhere from 24 to 48 hours while others will give you up to 14 days.   If adding your Koi during the early spring months, be sure to check the water temperature.  Wait until the temperature of the water is at least 50 degrees F. before adding your Koi.   During this time of guarantee,  be sure to observe your Koi fish in your pond.  Butterfly Koi as shown above, are smaller and have larger fins and tails.  Although they are costlier than their common Koi counterparts, they are a hardier creature.   Make sure they are eating and exhibiting normal behavior.  Koi have a very good appetite and will eat when food is presented to them.  Your Koi Carp should not be lingering at the top or bottom of the pond, but swimming with the other fish.  Even a beginner can spot changes in behavior or appearance that might indicate a sick fish.  If you notice anything unusual,  first check for water quality problems.  If your water quality is good, then return the fish to the dealer.  

When you adding any new fish to your pond, quarantine them from your current Koi fish population to avoid spreading any potential disease the new fish may carry.  One diseased fish can literally wipe out your entire Koi population, so it is best to play it safe and keep them apart until you are sure your new Koi fish are healthy.   Use an aquarium as a "hospital tank" to treat sick fish, or as a holding tank to inspect new fish before adding them to your pond.  You can also use an aquarium as a winter home for your fish if you live in a cold climate and prefer to keep them indoors.

Koi grow rather quickly so there is no need to buy large fish for your pond if you are on a tight budget.  Remember, Koi Carp can grow up to three feet long under ideal conditions.   In addition, Koi will breed upon reaching maturity and you will soon find your pond is overcrowded with fish.  Starting with just a few Koi will make it easier not only on your budget,  but on the management and maintenance of your pond.   Koi need water at least 3 feet deep, and each needs about 25 square feet of pond to call its own.  They prefer a temperature range of  39 to 68 degrees.  They have a rather hearty appetite and because of this tend to create a lot of waste.  In order to keep them happy, you will need a pond filter, preferably a biological filter.