Do keep in mind that, though these are widely cultivated, this species should not be grown in a pond if there is a risk of escape. Luckily, this species has a top-down approach to consuming plants, which means they won’t tear out plants from soil and cause your pond to be murky.Īlso cultivated as an economically important food source, grass carp is now one of the most highly produced species in aquaculture systems. With a lifetime of 5 – 9 years, grass carp are able to regularly consume enough plant material to support up to 40 pounds (18 kg) of body weight in their adult years. In controlled numbers, this species can offer the same ecosystem service to your koi pond, though it is advisable to be wary and regularly monitor the growth of your prized ornamental greens.įound in turbid rivers and lakes in the wild, this species is highly adaptable to a variety of growth conditions and can reach lengths of 100 cm (39 in) in enclosed settings. In fact, this species was brought to the US and Europe precisely for this reason – to control the growth of aquatic vegetation in lakes, ponds, and canals. Another member of the carp family, Ctenopharyngodon idella is more popularly known as grass carp because of its propensity to consume aquatic plants. Rainer Lück, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commonsĭo you have difficulty controlling algae and weed growth in your koi pond? If your answer is yes, then this fish may be the answer to your problems. They come from the same family after all!Ģ) Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Grass carp are a very useful species as they can control the growth of aquatic vegetation in your pond. You may also find goldfish schooling with koi and vice versa. Koi can even consume goldfish flakes, which have the same ingredients as koi pellets. One of the benefits of growing goldfish alongside your koi is they have similar ecosystem requirements and can consume the same types of food. Preferably, concentrations for these nutrients should be kept at zero. To maintain a water profile that is suitable for goldfish growth, utilize a filtration system that can prevent the buildup of ammonia and nitrates. Though they are a cold-water species, they can survive in heated ponds as long as there are cooler pond sections that are cast in shade. Goldfish thrive in water temperatures ranging from 65 – 85˚F (18 – 30˚C). The requirements of goldfish may vary depending on the breed, but most store-bought varieties are hardy and can do well in outdoor ponds. In contrast, the rarest types can be described as having the most bizarre features, such as bubble-shaped eyes and large egg-shaped bodies, and can sell for thousands of dollars! The most common type, which is often what young children find themselves growing in fish bowls, is single-tailed, red to orange in color, and largely inexpensive.

Goldfish can vary greatly in terms of appearance and color, and just about every type of variation has been explored for its robustness and longevity. Like koi, goldfish belong to the carp family ( Cyprinidae), but differ from their cousins due to their lack of mouth barbels. The typical aquarium species, Carassius auratus is now so widely bred that there are hundreds of well-developed breeds to choose from.

These scenarios are quite uncommon, however, and should not occur if your koi are stocked with appropriate species and in a comfortably large set-up. As opportunistic omnivores, they may even eat their own fry. Though peaceful in nature, koi may be aggressive towards some smaller species of fish (e.g., guppies, danios, mollies, and minnows), especially in an overcrowded pond. This means that they will inevitably interact with other fish, regardless of where they prefer to reside in the water column. Second, bear in mind that koi tend to explore all levels of a pond. As a rule of thumb, however, opt for those that you can find in a reputable fish or aquarium store to ensure that you don’t bring diseases into your pond. These species will normally be found in wild temperate habitats such as rivers, streams, and lakes. First, select for species that have similar pond requirements.

If you intend to grow these alongside a host of other fish species, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Exciting enough as a sole focal feature, koi gradually increase in size and can even live for up to 40 years. Many factors affect the success of a koi pond, especially because the growth of koi is dependent on water depth, pond size, climate and weather conditions, and even on other fish in the pond. Aleksander Dragnes / CC BY-SAĪ koi pond rich with biodiversity is perhaps an ultimate goal for every pond enthusiast, as maintaining one can be both challenging and rewarding.

Koi fish pond