Some people are fortunate to have a pond in their living space. We get a lot of questions on whether or not it’s worth it to have Koi. Well, we say it is! A Koi Pond done well adds beauty to any property. There’s also something special about the way these beautiful fish gracefully swim around. Some people find tranquility in watching them.
Here’s what you need to know:
What do you need?
- Lots of water
- Pellet Food/ Flake Food
- Supplemental Food – fruits, vegetables, shrimp/plankton, wheat germ
- Oxygenation
- Netting/fencing
Pond Setup
Koi fish need a lot of water. A suitable size pond holds at least 1000 gallons of water and is lined. Reason being, Koi grow up to 8” their first year, 12-16” by their second and can reach sizes of 31”! And they are pretty climate tolerant as long as the water doesn’t freeze too deep. Although, it would be ideal to install a heater.
Feeding Koi
Food is very important for healthy growth as well as developing their beautiful colors. Koi can eat standard pellet food but it’s also important to add things like wheat germ, fruit, vegetables, shrimp and/or plankton to their diet. BUT be sure not to overfeed. Koi have no storage capabilities. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and the presence of algae. Don’t feed Koi at all when the water dips below 40 degrees.
Keeping Water Oxygenated
Waterfalls and fountains are a good way to keep water oxygenated. It is important to increase oxygen levels of pond water, especially during the summer to prevent toxic ammonia from building up due to the increase in fish waste. Plants will also help increase oxygen levels (and shade) for koi. Koi waste will feed the plants. However, create a barrier to protect the plant roots – Koi fish are omnivores.
Protection
It’s a good idea to add netting and fencing to your pond to protect fish from immediate predators such as raccoons, birds and other mammals. Due to their brilliant color, these fish are very easy for predators to spot.
Learn More…
Interested in learning more about starting your very own koi pond? Visit our Koi Pond Page or stop by and speak with one of our ponding experts!