Are they ok with Koi?

Question

I have 54 koi and I would like to add in those algae eaters or sucker fish in with them in a 7,500 gallon pond, would that be ok? As far as I know I would think so.

Answer 1

That would mostly depend on the winter temperature of the pond. If you're thinking about the plecos, they are tropical fish, and wouldn't survive if the water got much below 65o. And it would be pretty difficult to catch them to bring them in for the winter, considering the size of your pond.

If you're considering getting these because of an algae problem in the pond, be aware that they do not eat all types of algae, and you'll probably still have a considerable amount left. You'd do better to use floating or floating-leaved plants to shade the water so that the algae doesn't get as much sunlight to grow. Nutrients in the water are another problem, and as leaf litter decomposes, it releases nitrates and phosphates (as do plant fertilizers) which feed the algae as well as pond plants.

Answer 2

While you can house your fantails in there just fine, your koi would not be able to live in this tank for very long. He is small now, but Koi grow at an increadable rate and can reach 34-36 inches (they will grow 6-7 inches their first year). There is no such thing as they will only grow to the size of their tanks. He would have to be rehoused with a few months. If you have a pond and you just want to "get" him, he will be fine for a while but really would need to be moved While koi do not need ponds of thousands of gallons, a 10 just wouldn't do. Sorry.

Answer 3

Your size is fine. You are allowing over 100 gallons of water per fish. That's good. But, Rubbernose plecos and Bristlenose plecos are the only bottom feeder/cleaner fish that have a lower end temperature that would be compatible with coldwater fish such as koi. And, as long as your water temperature were never to drop below 70 degrees, you would be okay, but unless you live in a very tropical place, even places like California get cold enough in the winter for pond water temps to drop to the upper 40s and you would either need to move your plecos inside during the winter or keep your pond heated. If you want to get them for algae control, they really aren't going to do that good of a job to make it worth it. You would need so very many of them to even make a dent that, then, you would be overcrowded.

Answer 4

I've done it before, and they were all fine. As has been pointed out, though, the plecos (I assume that's the kind of algae eater you are referring to) do not overwinter well at all. Either give them up for dead or bring them inside before the water gets below 60-65 degrees or so.

If you're really trying to control algae, though, better to get a veggie filter. It uses desireable plants like iris and lillies to "scrub" the nitrates (which are basically fertilizer, created in part by fish waste) out of the water. Then, there aren't as many left to feed the algae, and you virtually "starve" the algae out of existence. More fish, even if they are the algae-eating variety, just add more ammonia load to your pond, which creates more nitrites, which turn into more nitrates, which just feeds more algae. It's a vicious cycle.

E-mail me through my profile if you want more info on using a veggie filter. We resisted for years, and finally put one in for our 3,000 gallon pond last year. This year, we were able to discontinue our mechanical bead filter AND our UV filter, and we have *crystal* clear water!!

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

if your refering to high fin loaches, they happen to be my favorite fish.

They are often suggested for koi, but you dont have enough room.


54 koi in a 7500 is alot of koi.

high fin loaches will reach over 4 feet and look nothing like the babies.


if you mean plecos, then no again, your overstocked really with the ammount of koi.

Answer 6

They should be fine.