Koi

[Zipper]

I am new to KOI can someone give me the lowdown on these fish. How to take care of them and what to expect?

Thanks,



Zipper
"Scouts Out"

 

[koiguy1969]

if youve got goldfish, koi care is pretty much the same. but expect them to grow to twice the size of goldies. koi and goldies are both carp..you can feed the same foods. they share the health risks/problems. you'll want a larger pond volume with koi.. they are prolific poopers and can mess up a ponds water parameters quicker than goldies. they also may desimate water plants if left unprotected when they (the koi) get some size to them. where as plants stay pretty safe with goldies.

 

[Zipper]

Thanks koiguy1969, I just got four 5 inch koi and really don't know much but you answered what I needed. I have read that some people use salt in the water or something. Ive never used anything like that, I just have a large diy filter and put some activated charcoal on top the filter so it runs through it as the water is going out. Have put some dye to protect from UV but that is it, I have tested the water some but it don't make sence. I just started this new system, only been about a month and a half. Any advice would be appriciated.

Thanks,



Zipper
"Scouts Out"

 

[CometKeith]

Hi Zipper, most people recommend 1000 gallons for the first koi and then more water for additional koi so you are going to be overstocked eventually with a 100 gallon pond. I have 400 gallons and just stick to goldfish. Another thing is koi are more sensitive to ph and don't do well over 8.5 whereas goldfish can thrive in a wide variety of ph's. You should probably buy a water test kit and monitor your pond on a regular basis and do water changes when necessary. If you want to keep your 4 koi now is the time to think about expanding your pond!

 

[CometKeith]

My two cents on salt. Some salt in the pond in the spring is a good thing when the fish are more susceptible to bacteria, but they don't really need it the rest of the year. A lot of people do a salt bath for a sick fish also and I have tried this and it works pretty well if you don't overdo it. Some people say to keep a low level of salt all the time, but I don't think that is really necessary.

 

[koiguy1969]

uh oh..i just noticed your pond size ...you can keep your koi in there while you build a bigger pond....