How to Care for Koi Fish in Aquariums
Koi fish originate from Asia , are a member of the carp family and can grow up to 3 feet long. They are freshwater fish and can tolerate colder temperatures and do not need to be fed during the winter. Koi fish can be kept indoors but must be housed in a very large tank up to several hundred gallons depending on age and size. Many people buy a large above-ground indoor pond system for winter protection of their koi.
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Instructions
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Keep your koi fish in a large tank ranging from 100 to 300 gallons depending on the size and amount of koi fish you have. Several babies can be kept in a 100-gallon tank for up to six months, when thereafter they will need to be transferred to a larger tank or pond so they can mature properly. A 300-gallon tank can only house about three full-grown koi fish, allowing about 100 gallons per adult fish.
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Use a filter appropriate for your tank size. Canister filters work best for large tanks. Clean your gravel with a siphon weekly to maintain gravel and perform water changes once or twice a month depending on the size of your tank. Larger-sized tanks need to be changed less frequently than smaller ones. Water testing which measures levels of contaminants in your tank can indicate appropriate timing for water changes.
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Feed your koi fish pellets made specifically for koi. Koi fish can be fed several times a day but rely on temperature to metabolize food. As long as water temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, koi can be safely fed a few times a day.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not overcrowd koi fish as it can cut down on water quality and be harmful to the koi; they grow rapidly and get very large as adults.
References
- Photo Credit contented koi image by Geoff Hobbs from Fotolia.com
