Koi are typically seen swimming around in an outdoor pond. These stunning fish can grow quite large and this is why they are usually kept in larger ponds. However, as babies, koi aren’t all that big. For this reason, a lot of people raise the questions of whether these fish can happily thrive in an indoor fish tank.
When they are young, it is possible to keep koi in an indoor fish tank but when they mature, you will need to move them to a larger home. This is generally an outdoor pond that is at least three feet in depth and has at least 50 gallons of water for each fish.
While having space to thrive is very important for these beautiful creatures, there are many other aspects of koi care that you will need to keep in mind if you want them to do well.
See Also:
A Little Bit About Koi fish
Koi are one of the more rewarding types of fish that you can keep as a pet. Unlike many other species, they are incredibly interactive and will begin to recognize their owners over time. This results in these glorious animals being hand-fed which in itself is something of an honor.
The koi comes from Japan and is a type of carp. These fish will grow up to three feet when kept in the right environment so it isn’t difficult to see why they require a lot of space. Moreover, each fish may live as long as 50 years, so if you’re taking on koi, you’d better be in it for the long haul!
Generally speaking, the koi is a placid fish that doesn’t cause much of an issue when they are kept in a koi-only community However, if they are kept with other, smaller species, there is a risk that they will pick on the smaller members of the tank or pond. In addition to this, slow fish may become victims of koi bullying.
Should You Keep Koi In A Fish Tank
The burning question today is whether you should keep koi in a fish tank. When they are young, it is possible to keep koi in an indoor aquarium but this should always be a temporary measure. These animals can grow very large and you would need an exceptionally big tank to accommodate them. Of course, if you have the space for this then by all means, keep them in a tank for their entire lives.
But even as babies, koi need a tank that offers at least 29 gallons of water. When they are bigger, you will need to move them to a bigger home that gives each fish at least 50 gallons of water. On top of this, the pond needs to be at least three feet deep for the koi to thrive and be happy.
How To Set Up A Koi Aquarium
If you are going to keep young koi in an indoor tank, there are a few things that you will need to keep in mind if you’re going to give your fish a happy home.
We have already talked about the water capacity of the tank but as with any creature, if you can afford more space then this is always going to be a good option. The tank will need to be in an area that does not receive direct sunlight and is not exposed to drafts.
You can prevent this by using a lid but this serves a dual purpose. Koi are excellent jumpers and it isn’t uncommon for them to escape the tank when doing this; a lid will prevent this from happening.
Before you add any new koi to the aquarium, you will need to quarantine them for up to four weeks to ensure they are in good health. Infections can spread quickly through a community.
Caring For Koi – What Do They Need?
Koi are pretty hardy fish but this doesn’t mean that they don’t require a good degree of care. Many experts would recommend that these fish are an intermediate-level animals so it may be worth caring for entry-level fish. In any case, be sure to check out the following care aspects that are essential to a thriving koi community.
Filtration
When keeping your young koi in a fish tank, you will need to ensure that there is a good filtration system in place. Tanks will typically come with a recommended filter size so it is essential to adhere to this. But one thing you should keep in mind is that any filter for an indoor aquarium must be able to process water at a rate of three to five times an hour.
This means that, in a 30-gallon tank, you would need your filter to be able to process at least 90 gallons of water in an hour. But of course, the filter cannot work on its own, and adding various bacteria supplements to the water will help in the breakdown of waste meaning that the filter doesn’t need to work as hard and will last longer and do a better job
Do Koi Need Light And Heat?
As we have already mentioned, koi are very hardy fish and they are able to survive in some pretty shocking conditions. For example, koi that are kept outdoors in a pond will quite happily hibernate at the bottom of the pond when it is frozen over during winter. This is one of the reasons that having a deep enough pond is essential as it will prevent the water from freezing all the way down.
Whether you are keeping your young koi in a tank or have transferred adults to an outdoor pond, you must ensure partial shade as these fish do not like direct sunlight. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t need any light at all. Obviously, if they are outdoors, they will benefit from natural light but baby koi that are in a tank will need a light on for between eight and twelve hours a day.
What’s The Right Water Temperature For Koi?
One of the great things about koi is how resistant they are. If they can survive under the ice then it comes as no surprise that a stable water temperature isn’t as important as it is for other fish. That said, your koi will always thank you for providing them with something suitable and consistent.
In the main, these fish will do well in a tank that sits anywhere between 65ºf and 75ºf.
Common Koi Health Problems
Koi are generally healthy fish but as with any species, there are problems. For example, you may notice that a fish is swimming in an unusual pattern and this could be a sign of illness. Other signs of ill health might include swelling in the abdomen, the fins being clamped to the body, inflammation and a decreased appetite. That said, you should keep in mind that during winter, when the temperature drops, the fish will lose their appetite and this is normal. However, at other times, this should be seen as a concern.
Conclusion
Koi are popular pond fish but some people like the idea of keeping them in an indoor tank. While this is possible when the koi are young, they will need to be moved to a larger pond as they reach maturity. Since koi can grow as big as three feet, they need at least 50 gallons of water per fish in a pond that is no shallower than three feet.
