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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

adding Koi to existing pond with other fish

14 years ago

Hello,

I own a small campground and I live there as well. Behind our house is a pond that is about 3/4 of an acre. The kids that camp here love playing around the pond, chasing frogs and such. The pond has blue gill, crappie, bass and catfish. I was thinking that it would be awesome to have some koi in the pond as well.

My question is this, how big would the koi have to be to add them safely to the pond. I wouldn't want them to end up as supper to the bigger fish.

We were thinking of caging off a small section near the dock and adding the koi in the spring in the caged area, until the end of summer. If I buy 5 inch koi, would they be big enough by the end of summer or early fall to be released? Do they grow that fast?

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Comments (4)

bubbalove
14 years ago
5 inch koi would just be a treat, for everything that eats (Birds, snakes, fish). I would suggest 12 inches.
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sleeplessinftwayne
14 years ago
Hey, there. First you need to get in touch with the DNR to see what the law is concerning adding non-native fish to your pond. They generally don't like non-natives escaping to other waterways.
Koi can grow pretty fast, I've had them add ten inches in a single year. They do have personalities and a naturally timid Koi won't make it. Remember that koi can grow to 24 inches.
The threat to the koi won't be so much from the other fish as it will be from the birds. Herons in particular can devastate the koi population. You will need to incorporate lots of shelters as hiding places and possibly avoid hand feeding.
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katkat
Original Author
14 years ago
wow those are things I didn't think of, birds and yes I've seen the blue herons out here after the crappie.
What kind of hiding places can be made or added?
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sleeplessinftwayne
14 years ago
That depends on your pond. Most refuges are large enough for several fish at a time. Those are mostly overhangs in 12 to 20 inches of water. Sections of 4 to 6 inch flexible pipe works. It should be at least 18 inches long. Ceramic pipe works and cracked pieces are available at less cost. Large slabs of rock laid on top of cement block are good. Fish can hide in the most amazing places. You would never believe how many can crowd into a section of pipe. Large pots with a hole in them or placed on their side work. Plastic pots need a brick in them to make them stay in place.
I don't recommend plastic crates. I have lost fish who get stuck and injured on sharp edges. They don't seem to realize they have grown too large or they forget in their panic or excitement.
There are lots of different ways to make a hiding place. I'm sure other posters have much better suggestions. I'm not feeling too sharp today. Why don't you start a new thread on the subject?
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