Karen
I'd rather be Fishin'
Going this weekend to get fish for our "new" pond....so excited. So I'm wondering, Koi or Goldfish, or both???? Any input?? Thanks. Love Garden Pond Forum!
Koi or Goldfish????
- Thread starter Karen
- Start date
fishin4cars
True friends just call me Larkin
Koi, get 30"+, eat plants once they are over 12-15" and put out lots of waste, and can be a little more harder to keep, but get friendlier and recognize there keeper more.
goldfish, less destructive on plants, get to a max size of about 14-15" have most of the colors koi do and are hardier. You can stock more goldfish than koi for sure. be-aware, a 4" Koi that is growing as it should could be a 30" koi in under 4 years! that's a massive 6-10# fish! But I like my Koi and wouldn't like my ponds without them.
Btw, if they are for the new pond, stock light and I would find cheaper fish, It takes about two months for a pond to stabalize. one to cycle on to adjust. During this time is when most folks that lose fish lose them. You need fish in there to get everything started but I highly recommed if your going to spend the money for a really nice fish wait until the pond has had time to mature some.
goldfish, less destructive on plants, get to a max size of about 14-15" have most of the colors koi do and are hardier. You can stock more goldfish than koi for sure. be-aware, a 4" Koi that is growing as it should could be a 30" koi in under 4 years! that's a massive 6-10# fish! But I like my Koi and wouldn't like my ponds without them.
Btw, if they are for the new pond, stock light and I would find cheaper fish, It takes about two months for a pond to stabalize. one to cycle on to adjust. During this time is when most folks that lose fish lose them. You need fish in there to get everything started but I highly recommed if your going to spend the money for a really nice fish wait until the pond has had time to mature some.
Well said fishin4cars.
Also, if you want to get a head start on populating your pond with beneficial bacteria, you can add concentrated microbes. It will speed up the process and provide a more stable environment for your aquatic friends. Small maintenance doses will also seed biological filters and keep your bottom solids managed.
Also, if you want to get a head start on populating your pond with beneficial bacteria, you can add concentrated microbes. It will speed up the process and provide a more stable environment for your aquatic friends. Small maintenance doses will also seed biological filters and keep your bottom solids managed.
This is not an advertising circular, UT_Bruce!
Karen
I'd rather be Fishin'
Thank you "Fishin4cars"....appreciate the information!
fishin4cars
True friends just call me Larkin
UT_Bruce said:
Giving out free trial samples?
koiguy1969
GIGGETY-GIGGETY!!
hey you guys..be nice...I'm confident he will be posting his pond pics. and post something besides refferences to products he just happens to make and sell! we all know what happens to people who join this forum just to peddle their wares.we have all seen them come fast and get asked to leave quicker!
We need more info on pond size, do you want plants, how big do you want it to get...goldfish come in every color a koi can possibly come in but koi can come in different scale patterns...their is really a lot of things to consider and you can get both but be careful not to over stock and to stock lightly
karen has already posted pics of her pond here:
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/my-newly-built-koi-pond-t7905.html
Nice pond too, and definitely big enough for Koi, assuming there is a filter in there thats as awesome as the waterfall
. Since its a new pond, and hardly clear water atm, I would wait before introducing koi though. Start with a few goldfish until the water and filter have matured.
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/my-newly-built-koi-pond-t7905.html
Nice pond too, and definitely big enough for Koi, assuming there is a filter in there thats as awesome as the waterfall
. Since its a new pond, and hardly clear water atm, I would wait before introducing koi though. Start with a few goldfish until the water and filter have matured.
stroppy
stroppy
ive just got to add i have only goldfish, and mine eat all my plants given the chance !!!
Karen
I'd rather be Fishin'
My pond is 2000 gals. I do plan on adding plants....maybe a "bog filter" area? Going to start out with just a few and see how they do. Thanks for the input everyone.
fishin4cars
True friends just call me Larkin
Just a heads up, I don't know why, But Butterfly koi don't seem to be as destructive to plants as the standard Koi. I don't know if it is something with the fins and tail or if it's something to do with genetics but I find standard koi seem to jump and tear up plants worse than Butterfly koi. But standard koi seem to get friendlier with human contact faster than butterfly koi.
I prefer Butterfly Koi of all the Koi and Goldfish. that's just personal taste. But I have noticed this in mutiple ponds not just my own.
I prefer Butterfly Koi of all the Koi and Goldfish. that's just personal taste. But I have noticed this in mutiple ponds not just my own.
Butterfly koi originated from a cross between koi and a long-finned carp. That would explain some differences in behaviour.
I had started with a few feeder goldfish, then when all was well got a few Koi, next year like 600 goldfish babies, and more the next, after spending countless hours draining the pond to catch the goldfish, we ended up draining totally, taking out fish we were keeping (Koi only) and letting the pond sit with virtually no water for a week. Started filling it and guess.....STILL had goldfish babies!! Drained it again, cleaned it completely, refilled, and guess what, this year, I found one that escaped detection last year!!! No more goldies for me.
Grab a couple of whatever you find pleasing to look at. But only start out with a few fish. Once you get in to it further and find your likes and dis-likes, mold your pond in to what feels right for you. If you decide there are some fish you should not have got or decide against, get rid of them through friends or Craigslist. But always start off a light and don't overstock.