baby koi in a small pond?

Aquarius Keeper

I got my pond more or less back to life this week - awaiting a dozen pond plants to arrive in the mail, and using an air-stone in the meantime...

I'm making my decisions about how to stock it - it's completely plant filtered (no pump) so I'm trying to be conservative.

I thought it might be fun to buy and raise a single baby Koi. It's only a 320g pond so in the long run, the Koi would have to find another home ... but I figure folks are willing to pay upwards of $50 for a larger Koi, so finding someone to adopt my baby for free when it gets too big shouldn't be too hard.

Anybody want to warn me about anything? :)

Jonathan

finsNfur

Actually, people aren't always willing to spend $50.00 for a large Koi. I've seen Craigslist ads with people unable to give Koi away, so that is something to consider. And Koi grow really fast, mine more than doubled in size in one year. But this year a heron got him, along with a few Goldfish.

Also, Koi can be really messy, so you should consider adding a filter of some kind. Koi are rather sensitive and don't do well in messy water, and a 320g tank is really small.

I'm sorry to be such a downer, just wanted to give you some things to consider. Good luck!!

Aquarius Keeper

yeah, that's probably a good call - I'll add another dojo loach instead...

adavisus

One Koi is not so bad in such a size pond, while its a dinky size. Assuming it copes with the worst that Winter, Summer and herons can offer, it might grow a foot a year in good conditions

You will probably get quite attached to how tame it becomes.

Odds on you will be digging a bigger pond for it next year :)

Regards, andy

onefish2fish

ive seen Koi in the $300 range as well as in the $2000 range (they were 13 or something years old and HUGE!)
im sure you could find a free or atleast cheap smaller Koi

as for bird pest, try a scarecrow or owl figure

okiemavis

Hmm, I'm assuming you don't live in a cold area? The fish *really* need to have changed their diet by now to prepare for the winter hibernation... however, if it's gonna stay warm you'll be fine.

A better option- get a few Goldfish. Both Koi and golds are social creatures and are easily stressed when left alone. There are many types that will stay small enough for your pond.