Do you have koi fish and goldfish and you are wondering can koi and goldfish live together?
Did you know your koi can attack some of your goldfish? Are you willing to gamble on that?
Save yourself the worries and troubles as this article will inform you about goldfish and koi fish.
Can Koi and Goldfish Live Together?
Koi and goldfish can live together in the same tank, provided the goldfish and koi are similar sizes. Koi fish tend to feed on smaller fish, making small goldfish species like fancy goldfish unsuitable to be in the same tank as koi fish.
Common goldfish and other goldfish of equal size with the koi fish are suitable tankmates.
Are Goldfish and Koi Compatible?
Yes. Goldfish and koi will make compatible tank mates, provided you take note of some factors.
- They are both docile fish and will both have no reason to cause troubles in the tank.
- Koi fish will find some species of goldfish appealing as a meal.
These species are small in size, and koi fish will feed on smaller fish when they come across them. An example of these small species of goldfish is the fancy goldfish.
You can keep different goldfish types with koi fish, but fancy goldfish and other smaller species are not a good choice.
Can Koi and Goldfish Live Together in a Tank?
Yes, but it is not the best idea to keep goldfish and koi fish together in the same tank for a long period of time.
If you have juvenile koi fish that are not yet fully grown, then you have a better opportunity to raise them together with goldfish for a shorter period of time.
A koi fish can grow about 3 ft in length and the tank is most likely not going to be a suitable size for them. A stressed koi fish could become a little bit more aggressive with its tank mates. This includes goldfish.
Are Koi Fish and Goldfish the Same?
No. If you stare hard enough at a goldfish, you may start to think that it is the relative of a koi fish, but you are incorrect. They are both part of a separate species.
- koi fish have whiskers or barbells but goldfish do not.
Goldfish actually started by selectively breeding Prussian carp. They were able to mutate the color of Prussian carbon to goldfish. Goldfish can be considered a new species on their own away from Prussian carp.
Koi fish can actually breed with goldfish. Brown or gray colored fish may result, but they will probably turn orange as they grow up. This will never be considered a koi fish.
Can Fancy Goldfish Live With Koi?
No. There is a low-risk chance that fancy goldfish will be eaten by koi fish. It is better to keep fancy goldfish and koi fish at relatively the same size. This is probably not possible when Koi fish reach adulthood.
Koi fish act aggressive in particular with fancy goldfish. They can suitably live together for a shorter period of time while the koi fish is still growing up. Smaller sizes of fancy goldfish should not be kept with koi fish for these reasons.
Can Koi and Goldfish Live Together in a Pond?
Yes. For the most part, it will be a peaceful coexistence of koi and goldfish in the same pond. It is common to see both of them interacting or keeping distance in the same pond if there is enough space for both of them.
- Koi fish are going to be the aggressors if the opportunity arises. Overstocking will be most likely the culprit as to why your koi fish are suddenly become aggressive towards other goldfish.
- Keeping them together permanently may not be the best idea. This is because koi fish are opportunistic feeders and may open their mouths wide enough to consume a smaller sized goldfish.
If they’re relatively the same size, chances are that nothing will happen and they will co-exist together peacefully.
Will Koi Kill Goldfish?
No. Koi fish are not very aggressive fish, so they do not attack fish anyhow in the tank.
- They will only display a bit of aggressiveness during breeding seasons and only show it to their fellow koi fish.
- Koi fish will not kill goldfish, especially when the goldfish are large.
Cramped spaces usually cause fish to become aggressive, but goldfish and koi keep each other’s company even in the cramped situation.
What Kind of Fish Can You Put with Koi?
Koi fish are a peaceful and hardy type of fish. They can tolerate other fish species in their tank, provided the fish has some characteristics. The kind of fish you should put in the same tank with koi fish should be a gentle and unaggressive fish.
Listed below are fish that are compatible with koi fish in the same tank
1. Goldfish
They are one of the most common tankmates of koi fish. They have similar characteristics, temperature requirements, and lesser care levels. They are bottom feeders, peaceful, and hardy fish, making them one of the compatible koi fish tankmates.
2. Barbel
Barbels are also compatible tankmates of koi fish. They can grow up to 4 feet, with most of them having a length of 40 inches. They are bottom feeders, and with their size similar to koi fish, they make good tankmates.
3. Catfish
You might be surprised to hear that catfish make good tankmates of koi fish. But not all species of catfish are compatible with koi fish. Species like Columbian shark, bumblebee catfish, iridescent shark, bandit cory catfish, etc., can stay in the same tank as koi fish.
4. Golden Orfe
Golden orfe has similar characteristics as koi fish. They are bottom feeders with swimming movements like that of a koi fish. They like to stay in a group of three and will pose no threat to your koi.
5. Pleco
Plecos are tropical fish with hardy attributes. They fit well in aquariums and ponds and are also compatible with koi fish. Plecos are very attractive and will beautify your pond or tank alongside your koi.
6. Sturgeon
Sturgeon are large fish with great weights. They are compatible tank mates of koi fish and will pose no threat to them. You have to get a large tank as the sturgeon’s movement in a small tank can disturb your koi fish.
7. Tench
Tench, also referred to as doctor fish, are peaceful and social fish. They will make good tankmates of koi as they are easygoing fish without much requirement. They can grow to about 70cm and weigh about 7.5kg.
8. Barbs
Barbs are slender-bodied fish that can grow up to 23 inches in length. They are very peaceful and show no traits of territorialism. They will make good tankmates of koi fish, and the duo will live peacefully together.
There are also several other species of fish that will live peacefully with koi fish. You only have to make sure the fish meets the tankmate requirements of koi fish.
Pond Water Conditions for Koi
Koi are hardy fish and will tolerate a wide range of temperatures from 35℉ to 85℉.
- The ideal water temperature for them falls within the range of 65℉ and 75℉.
- The pH level of the water should range from 6.8 to 8.2.
- The hardness of the water should range from 60 to 160ppm.
- The ammonia level should be zero.
Maintain this temperature, and your koi fish will be fine.
Pond Water Conditions for Goldfish
Goldfish will thrive in water with a temperature range of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Goldfish prefer alkaline water and will thrive in water with a pH range of 7.0 to 8.4.
- Rapid water changes can be dangerous for goldfish, if not lethal.
- You also have to maintain clean water for your goldfish by removing dead organic matter from the tank or pond.
- You can also get rid of algae from the tank to keep the tank clean.
Maintain good water conditions for your goldfish to ensure their good health.
Can Goldfish Survive in a Koi Pond?
Yes. Goldfish and koi are hardy fish with similar water conditions. Goldfish can survive in the same pond as koi fish.
They will even survive the winter together in the same pond, provided the pond does not freeze.
Do Koi Fish Bite Goldfish?
Sometimes. The feeding habits of koi are similar to those of goldfish. The koi will consume smaller goldfish that are small enough to fit in their jaws if you keep them in a tank with them.
Similar to goldfish, koi are often not bullies, however there are times when they may target a specific pond goldfish.
How to Introduce Goldfish to a Koi Pond
To introduce your goldfish to a koi pond, you have to take some steps. First, you have to put the goldfish in a small container like a bucket and add a small quantity of water into the tank every 15 to 20 minutes.
After doing that for a while, you can now introduce them to the pond as they would have adjusted to their new environment.
Conclusion
Koi and goldfish and can live together in the same tank or pond without any issue. They both have similar water requirements and will make suitable tankmates.
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