do i need a filter thingy with a pump? also, do they get lonely? should i get another or iwll they be too cramped? should I get another smaller fish as his pal? I used spring water to fill it up-is that ok and will he get enough oxygen? thanks.
2006-12-13 06:08:37 · 10 answers · asked by Frank 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Did you know that Koi can grow to an astonishing 3 feet? And that they are positively poop machines?
Koi do not belong in fish tanks. If you google "Koi," all the references you find will be related to ponds, because Koi are too big for all tanks, unless you have like 300 gallons. They need to be in ponds. They should have company, yes, but in a 10 gallon, it is out of the question.
You should return the koi to the petstore and get a new fish for your 10 gallon.
Yep, you definitely need a filter. Get a Hang off the Back filter rated for 20 or 30 gallons. You can use tap water, just make sure you use dechlorinator to neutralize the chlorine.
You can increase oxygen in the water by getting an air pump. They cost like 15$, they look pretty, and are highly benificial.
Get a heater, also, and set the temp to 78F after you get rid of your koi.
Also, did you cycle your tank? First of all, have you cycled your tank? In the wild, and in established tanks, there are nitrifying bacteria that break down toxic ammonia from fish waste and excess food into less toxic nitrates. In a brand new tank, these bacteria don't exist, so any fish in the tank will produce ammonia, which, not being broken down by bacteria, will kill or weaken the fish. So, it is vital to cycle your tank.
There are a few methods. Do you have access to an established tank? These bacteria live in the gravel and in the filter cartridge, so if you can get some from another tank, you can put the bacteria right into your tank (don't let the gravel or filter cartridge dry out). If you do this, in a day or two, your tank will beready for fish.
Another way is to get Bio-Spira. It is the actual live bacteria in a little pouch, and your tank will instantly be ready for fish.http://fishstoretn.com/bio_spira.html
Other methods, which include putting a source of ammonia in the tank and letting the bacteria build up on its own, or putting a fish in and letting the fish produce ammonia (which borders on animal cruelty, because the fish will suffer from the ammonia in the tank), take 2 to 6 weeks before your tank is ready. If you rush that, any fish you buy may die, so try one of the instant methods I mentioned above (bio-spira or gravel from another tank)
Anyway, PLEASE please please return the koi ASAP to the petstore. He WILL die in a 10 gallon tank. There are many other fish you can get that look nice and be healthy in a 10 gal. If you want to keep a koi-type colouration, how about
platies:
http://www.greenparktropical.com/Fish/images/Platy/Red%20Iridescent%20Mickey%20Mouse%20Platy.jpg
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/Fishpics/platy2.jpg
You could get 3 males and 6 females, and they would breed.
OR how about a red male betta:
http://www.petfishtalk.com/shows_special/betta_fish/betta_male_red_and_white.jpg
and a school of harlequin rasboras:
http://tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/templates/BMan1Blue/images/profile_pics/fish_profiles_heteromorpha1.jpg
2006-12-13 06:16:07 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Ok. First of all Koi get very big. like over a foot long. You will need to get a bigger tank for just him. A 55 gallon is the SMALLEST you should have. You should have done some research b4 buying a koi. They are outside pond fish for a reason. You should return it to where you bought it and get a more appropriately sized fish. The fish will be unhappy and unhealthy.
2006-12-13 06:14:27 · answer #2 · answered by talarlo 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Will they be too cramped? Are you serious? Why do you ask questions on here if you aren't going to read the answers? Because if you did then you would already know that keeping that one koi in a 10 gallon tank is cruel enough let alone thinking about getting another one.
2006-12-13 06:36:26 · answer #3 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
incredibly wow, youwill opt for one heck of a tank. perhaps a greater effective concept given which you have become a loft, Why no longer a geared up in pond at your residence. seeing it incredibly is enclosed and out of the climate, that's complete very incredibly (with your land lord's approval) construction an indoor pond is extremely common with the right supplies. utilising rubberized pond lining and interlocking brick. your pond does not would desire to be greater desirable than 18 inches deep so the water displacement might incredibly be below a tank. layout or have somebody layout this indoor water backyard for you. i might omit the rynkin, moors and veiltails. bear in suggestions, koi eat shubunkin youthful and shubs eat koi youthful. I had a chum try this in his interest room and it replaced into eye-catching. He purely has 3 koi and a pair of comets. watching the size of your loft, you would be able to reassess and shop purely a million or 2 fish. in simple terms an concept.
2016-10-05 06:41:17 · answer #4 · answered by kroner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Koi fish get HUGE. You really need him in something a lot bigger then a 10gal. You do need a filter. Do NOT add another Koi you don't have space for the one you got now.
2006-12-13 06:22:35 · answer #5 · answered by angelmwilson 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
hello, your koi is not going to be happy! they are pond fish kois grow very large. even a large tank will be pushing it. plez take him back and get something that will be happy in a 10g. or if you have the money build him a pond big pond) i really do luv goldfish and i already feel so sorry for your koi.
2006-12-13 06:45:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are a piece of work lady. Calling your koi your "next victim". What the hell is wrong with you???? All the vegans i know care about animals and are against animal cruelty. Yet here you are cramming a fish first into a vase and now into a slightly larger death trap. Koi NEED PONDS!!!!!!!!!! By the way your betta fish all died because you are a moron who didnt provide them with what they need to live.
2006-12-13 06:30:28 · answer #7 · answered by lady_crotalus 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
yeah, you need a filter, but more importantly, it sounds like a ten gal tank is too small for one koi. unless its really small, dont get another one, and it might even eat a smaller fish. dont worry about if itll get lonely, cuz it really doesnt care...
2006-12-13 07:27:22 · answer #8 · answered by M T 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oxygen is #1 with fish they must have it. Just like you and me and yes i would suggest for less mess for you to get an underground filter and a pump for it...
2006-12-13 06:12:19 · answer #9 · answered by alwayslate 2 · 0⤊ 6⤋
you should get a pump but how big is your fish? you should put him in a bigger tank!!!
2006-12-13 06:14:04 · answer #10 · answered by delichottie 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋