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A widely asked question all on the web is whether koi or goldfish can be kept together or not in the fishkeeping category. Here we’ll analyze this by sharing some secrets.
Koi & goldfish can live together if the pond is big enough (minimum 1500 gallon). However, koi is a big fish compared to goldfish. So despite being compatible, adult koi should be kept alone. However, adult goldfish & juvenile koi can be kept together without an issue just because their size is the same.
These couple of lines haven’t satisfied you to get the answer to your query and we completely know about it. So, we will discuss this topic comprehensively to know if it is worth keeping koi & goldfish together or not. So without wasting time let’s dive deep into the topic.
Why shouldn’t we keep koi & goldfish together? Top 6 reasons
According to our several years of experience, koi & goldfish can be kept together in a pond or an aquarium depending upon several factors.
Some experts will definitely say that you should not keep them together anyhow. However, they are correct from one standpoint. So you must know first why koi & goldfish should not be kept together and then we’ll disclose some secrets of keeping them together. Let’s start
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The max size of koi & goldfish are not the same
You shouldn’t keep koi & goldfish together considering their adult size. An adult koi fish gets its size up to 3 ft depending upon various factors whereas goldfish get their size maximum up to 1ft.
Not only that, but fancy goldfish get a maximum of 8 inches long which is very small compared to the koi fish. So if you keep adult goldfish & adult koi fish together then koi may harm your goldfish.
You should remember that keeping fancy goldfish with koi is strictly not recommended. It is because the fancy goldfish are sophisticated fish & need proper care. So they can’t stay with big-sized fish like koi. Common goldfish are still acceptable in this area just because of their hardiness.
Read More: – How to Get Crystal Clear Koi Pond Water Right Away
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A planted pond is not suitable for koi
Lots of new pond keepers’ dream is to develop a planted pond for them. However, it is potentially not possible if you want to keep koi & goldfish together.
Only goldfish is suitable for a planted pond whereas koi nibbles leaves & roots aggressively. So you must avoid it if your primary aim is to build a planted pond.
However, you can keep goldfish there easily. Generally, Goldfish do not nibble on big pond plants like water lilies. Keeping koi in a planted pond is also possible if you keep the plants separate by wire mess or any similar kind of thing. However, it becomes very cost-consuming after all.
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Lack of experience can lead to a mess for both fish
Keeping koi & goldfish in the same pond is possible if you have the right experience in fishkeeping for years. For beginners, we do not recommend trying this. It may become a mess for both of those fish anyhow.
As the koi is big enough compared to the goldfish, it may harm the goldfish. Lots of experts said that their big guy koi have taken off the eyes of their little goldfish. This is very scary & grievous to goldfish & fish keepers both. It may happen to you also if they are not taken care of properly.
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To keep goldfish & koi together lots of space is required
It is obvious to have a big pond to keep goldfish & koi fish together. At least a 2000-gallon pond is required to keep 2-3 adult koi & a bunch of goldfish. Here we are excluding the jumbo koi just because of its huge size.
Now it is not possible for every fish keeper to build this kind of huge pond. The maintenance cost of this pond is also huge. Without having much experience it will be quite difficult to control the growth of fish. So it is recommended to start with any one of these fish species.
Read More:- Pond Mates of Koi: A List of 9 Most Suitable Fish
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Excessive bioload for a single pond
Goldfish breed like rats & your pond may become overstocked after passing one-two years due to huge numbers of fries. At an initial stage, it may not create a problem because of its very small size. However, when they become adults & start multiplying their numbers then it will be very difficult to control them.
It will create various problems for koi fish. Koi fish may not get proper food due to the huge numbers of goldfish. Not only that, but they start creating a huge amount of bioload during this time which is not good for a pond & koi both.
If your pond doesn’t have a proper filtration system then bioload can create a mess. The ammonia level will start to accelerate which may kill your expensive koi fish too.
Read More: – 15 Best Plants For Koi Ponds: With Infographics & Charts
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The personalities of both fish are different
Koi fish are a heavenly lot more intelligent than goldie. They keep their personalities high. They can remember their owner & the timing of their food.
However, goldfish are just like other fish. They don’t show personalities anyhow. So if you want a real pet then koi will be good enough compared to goldfish.
Keeping both in a pond may create problems when you give them food. Koi can come to you then they get a habit whereas goldfish may not come. So it may waste your time if you have a busy schedule. So by analyzing this factor we recommend keeping them separated.
Read More: – Is Koi Pond Not Clear? 7 Most Common Reasons of it
Top 5 secrets of keeping koi & goldfish together in a pond
Keeping goldfish & koi in the same pond is possible if you remember some factors. Here we’ll discuss how the top 5 factors help a fish keeper to keep goldfish & koi together effortlessly.
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High maintenance is required to keep both fish
If you are keeping fish for years in an aquarium or pond then it is very obvious that you will be able to keep koi & goldfish together. Other factors may not create problems here.
Despite being a hardy fish, you must know koi are more fragile compared to common goldfish. So proper maintenance is required here to keep both of them together.
Here maintenance means pond cleaning, checking water parameters more frequently, checking the efficiency of the pond’s filtration system, providing the right kind of nutritious food, etc.
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Having crystal clear water is a must for koi & goldfish
Goldfish & koi can be kept together in the same pond if the water quality is good enough. Previously we have discussed that koi are more fragile than common goldfish. It means goldfish can accept a wider range of water parameters than koi.
Now, to keep koi you must add the best pond water filtration system. The pond skimmer & the filtration system should be different from each other. You must check ammonia level, ph level & chlorine level more frequently.
Algae outbreaks may appear due to excessive bio load & uneaten food. So you must provide a moderate diet to your koi & goldfish. Make sure not to provide food during the winter season. Otherwise, these will be wasted & increase bioload. At this time koi & goldfish do not eat much.
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The size of koi & goldfish should be the same
If you want to keep koi & goldfish together in a pond then the average size of both of these fish should be the same.
It is not possible to have an adult koi & an adult goldfish of the same size. Koi are the big guys compared to goldfish. So you can buy juvenile koi and adult goldfish to keep them together in the same pond.
It will help them to be happy and healthy & help them to grow together. It is suitable for a comparatively smaller pond also. However, it is not for the long term
Read More:- 10 varieties of Koi Fish: Origin, Description & Pictures
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A big pond is required for keeping both fish
As we’ve discussed, you need a big pond to keep koi & goldfish together. Koi generally live up to 25-40 years whereas goldfish live an average of 15 years. So here we assume that you keep both of these fish for a long time.
Now it is obvious to have a big pond to keep both of them healthy and happy. As a thumb rule, an adult koi requires approximately 800-1000 gallon of water depending upon its type. So we recommend having at least a 2000-3000 gallon pond to keep both fish for a long time.
Read More: – How to Grow Koi Fast up to 2-2.5 Feet: 5 Steps Guides
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High expenses are required to keep koi & goldfish both
Despite being Hardy, koi are sophisticated fish. They show more color combinations than goldfish. They are intelligent. Not only that, but they are not fussy eaters. So you have to provide them a lot of nutritious food daily.
You must know pond skimmer or filter is not cheap like an aquarium. A minimum of $500 will be required at the initial stage if you are planning to build a koi & goldfish pond from scratch. So do planning accordingly.
Are koi aggressive to goldfish?
Generally, Koi fish don’t be aggressive towards any of the fish. However, if the pond size is too small then it may show aggression towards goldfish. Common goldfish are fast enough to survive from their aggression whereas fancy goldfish are not absolutely. So avoid keeping fancy goldfish with koi.
Read More: – How many goldfish you can put in a tank?
can koi and oscars live together?
Koi & oscar can be kept together if the pond is too big. Otherwise, oscar will definitely show aggression towards koi fish. Furthermore, oscars need can’t tolerate cold water. So without proper heating arrangements, it is not recommended to keep them in a koi pond. Moreover, don’t keep fancy koi with oscars.
Can janitor fish live with koi?
Janitor fish is one of the main compatible fish with koi. It is a great algae eater & a very peaceful fish. Generally, janitor fish stay at the bottom of the pond & do not disturb koi. However, it is recommended to keep them in a big pond.
Good luck & Happy fishkeeping