I have 3 ghost koi about 2 ft long each but want to put more smaller fish in my pond also whats the min size?

Question

I dont want them eaten by the Big Koi, so whats the minimum size so they dont get harmed, pond is big so no probs with area.

Answer 1

I've seen a carp (same species as a koi) eat a chub half it's length. I'd advise getting them at least 2/3 the length of the largest koi you've got, or even slightly bigger.

You say your pond is "big", but what may seem big to you may not seem so big to your fish. An adult koi can be upward of 30". Some of the more conservative stocking rates I've read suggest 100 gallons per fish. I've read others that go as high as 1,000 gallons per fish. The more you add, the more likely you are to have fish of both genders that might spawn, so you could end up with even more!

If you have the room and wanted to buy smaller fish (they'll be cheaper than large ones) You might want to consider getting some bird netting and sectioning off part of the pond so the fish will be separated until the smaller ones have a chance to grow. Just attach some fishing weights (non-lead) to the bottom of the net, or weight it with rocks, then secure the edges with stakes. They you can get any sized fish that won't fit through the mesh. When they're large enough not to be eaten, remove the net.

Answer 2

I have no problem with my big Koi eating my babies. I raise the young outside of the pond because the Koi WILL eat the eggs and release the ones I choose to keep back into the main pond once they are 4"-6". The bigger problem is feeding the right sized pellets. My young tend to school at the opposite end of the pond from where I feed the large Koi, so I feed the smaller pellets down there while the large Koi are busy with their dinner.

Answer 3

fifty 5 gallon pond will be small for even one KOI as they get extremely tremendous imagine of this way your frequent fifty 5 gallon tank is 4ft lengthy and about 12 inches huge koi want cooler water a 55gal pond out area will attain water temps interior the 70's or perhaps accurate 80's purely from the photo voltaic person-friendly also koi get nicely over a million foot lengthy the 30 gallon length is widely talking on your conventional goldfish a koi in a tank really a million might want to wish to do ok in a fifty 5 yet will be more suitable effective off in a 100+ gallon tank

Answer 4

Do you have a planted pond? If your Koi are distracted with plants and eating veggies, they will leave your new fish alone. I would suggest nothing less than 6".

I have a number of ponds with Koi and various gold fish and usually the koi will not bother the gold fish even though some f the Koi are pretty good size. I'll add 1"-1 1/2" feeders and they don't seem to bother them. however each of my ponds have fountains, waterfalls and are heavily planted. I also add watermellon, oranges and fresh green veggies to their diets.
I also have many fry from winter in the same ponds.

It is more of the matter of feeding your fish. They are veggie eaters and need planted ponds. you can try buying a few .10 feeders (pick the really cool colored ones) and see what happens. Just remember to suplement their diets with fruit and veggies. They should be fine.

Answer 5

Ghost Koi

Answer 6

I have 8 koi carp in my pond ranging from 18" to 24" with small fantails & goldfish approx 3-4" with no probs and no losses due to greedy Koi.

Answer 7

If you get a goldfish and keep increasing the size of the tank he'll get as big as the bowl....keep bumping up the size until he's perfect! You have to do this over a span of 5 months, so a week in each tank.

Answer 8

As a general rule nothing too small to fit in the existing fishes mouths. Koi are peaceful fish by nature and you shouldn't have a problem there.

MM