A Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Koi

Few cold water fish can compete with Koi, whether that’s in terms of their variety of patterns and colours, their long history and cultural traditions, or just their sheer physical presence. Koi appeal for all sorts of reasons; for some people, the opportunity to own some of these remarkable – and highly valued – fish is the reason they built a pond in the first place, while for others, the interest develops later, sometimes years after they first became involved with ponds and water gardens. Whenever the bug bites, however, it is important to recognise from the outset that although the basics of their management remain much the same as any other type of pond, successfully keeping Koi does require a few unique demands to be met. We have a great article on how to encourage koi to spawn here.

Planning the Pond for Keeping Koi

These are potentially very large fish, often growing to between two and three feet (60 – 90 cm) in length and sometimes up to four feet (1.2 metres) or more, which obviously means they call for a sizeable pond to house them, particularly if you plan to keep several specimens. As a good general guide, the pond should be no smaller than eight feet by six feet (2.4 metres x 1.8 metres) at the surface, and four feet (1.2 metres) deep.

Ideally you should aim to build as large a pond as you can possibly accommodate, since the greater the volume of water it can hold, the more stable the conditions will be, and the less susceptible it will be to changes in temperature if the weather suddenly turns unexpectedly hot or cold. All of that adds up to helping reduce the stress on your fish and should hopefully see them stay in the best of health. Learn more about pond heaters here.

Filtration for Koi Ponds

Good filtration is another important aspect of keeping the water in top condition, since these large fish produce a significant amount of nitrogenous waste, particularly during the warm summer months, when they are feeding well and are at their most active. There was a time when the Koi enthusiast had almost no choice except to build his or her own filter, but these days there are a number of proprietary brands widely available that have been designed specifically to meet the particular needs of the Koi ponds. Frankly, unless there are very good reasons – and there really aren’t that many – to build your own, the new Koi keeper is always best advised to pick a suitably sized commercial version, and take all of the worry out of this aspect of things. They are rated in terms of the volume of water they will comfortably treat, and either come with suitable pumps to make a complete packaged system, or with clear recommendations as to the flow rate of pump needed to drive them properly – which again obviously makes things very simple for the novice enthusiast.

Plants for the Koi Pond

Unfortunately, it is very difficult – bordering on the impossible – for Koi to co-exist with plants, except when the fish are very small, as their natural inquisitiveness, coupled with their foraging behaviour usually results in your carefully chosen water plants being uprooted, eaten or both! Sadly, as a general rule, this means there isn’t really a place for plants in this kind of pond.

If you are really determined to try, however, water lilies can sometimes prove successful, particularly if you pick some of the more robust varieties, and grow them in planting baskets that are too large for the fish to overturn. Alternatively, marginals can be worth a try if your pond design allows for a marginal shelf, but only if it’s too shallow for the Koi, or otherwise your planting scheme is unlikely to remain unmolested for long.

Stocking Density of Koi Ponds

When it finally comes time to select your fish, it is very important not to get carried away and over-stock your pond – no matter how tempting it may be to add just that extra one or two. A good rule of thumb for the novice Koi keeper is to aim at a stocking level of around 50 inches (125 cm) of fish per 1000 gallons of water – which means that our ‘minimum’ 8ft x 6ft x 4ft pond, which holds approximately 1150 gallons, could safely support Koi up to a total length of about 58 inches (145 cm).

Types of Koi Varieties

Although we tend to associate Koi with Japan, where they have been popular for centuries, they actually originated in China, perhaps as long as 2,000 years ago, when the ancient Chinese developed ways to breed colourful versions of the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The modern fish we call ‘Koi’ (from the Japanese word for ‘carp’) and are known in their homeland as ‘nishikigoi’ (brocaded carp), owe their existence to fish breeders in the Nigata region of Nineteenth Century Japan who began the selective breeding programmes that produced today’s colourful varieties. The first types were probably the red and white fish, known today as Kohaku, with the red/white/black Sanke and Showa forms being next to be produced.

From these beginnings, a whole range of other distinctive types have emerged over the years, distinguished by their colouration, body patterns and scales, including the likes of:

• Ai Goromo Koi – a white fish, with a pattern of red scales, each being edged in deep blue.
• Aka BekkoKoi – a red fish with black patterning
• Asagi Koi – an old and very popular variety, with a white head and a body pattern of pale blue scales.
• Ogon Koi – a metallic looking single coloured Koi, gold and platinum being particularly popular
• Shusui Koi – a striking fish having only a few large ‘mirror’ scales on an otherwise scale-less body.

There are, of course, many more, and new varieties and types are still being developed – making deciding which are your own personal favourites one of the most interesting and rewarding aspects of keeping these fascinating fish.

Do be aware, however, it can quickly become an addictive and all-absorbing hobby. Many is the enthusiast who started off with one pond, and then built another, bigger one – and then another. You have been warned!

A koi pond is such a uniquely beautiful thing, with Koi fish being able to live for years and offering such radiant colours. Koi carp ponds are a work of art themselves and people who are interested in investing their time and money into this project get rewarding results, and often keep koi for a lifetime. Of course the Koi need care, and an environment which promotes their growth and well-being, but when they can live for 30 years you can understand why people get so obsessed with them.

To design a Koi  pond, the depth and width of the pond should be ample as these fish need enough space to swim freely. If the size is too compact for the number of fish the chances of high concentration of toxins in the pond is high, not good.  Aeration is another important factor to consider when designing the pond, a fountain will be a good idea to increase aeration if that is in your budget. Remember that maintaining the pond means providing the best quality of water to the Koi, as they won’t survive in polluted water which contains high ammonium or acidic water.

Using a Koi pond water dechlorinator

To maintain the water quality you only need a dechlorinator in order to treat the water with it before you put the fish in. There are various types of filters available in the market to keep the pond fresh, choose filters which not only keep the water PH around 7 but also eliminate waste and other solid debris. Koi fish are pretty resistant to cold water and live well in fresh water which doesn’t get too warm. During winters, a layer of ice could form at the bottom of the pond which is why it is better to insert a heater so that the water does not get too cold for the fish to survive if this is suitable in your location.  These fish have an unusual swimming pattern if they are sick or an inflammation, followed by a reduced diet which mostly is due to the water quality in the pond. Koi fish ponds add an aesthetic to a place which can’t be beaten. Make sure that your koi fish are well taken care of and continue to thrive in the pond for years!

Types of Koi Varieties

• Hariwake and Kikusui: These metallic koi are highly prized for their unique coloring and are often used as show fish. They are a hardy species and can adapt well to different water conditions.
• Goshiki: Goshiki koi are known for their striking colors and patterns, which can change as the fish ages. They are a hardy species that can thrive in different pond environments.
• Goromo: Goromo koi are easily recognizable by their distinctive blue or black edging on their red scales. They are a popular species among koi enthusiasts and can be found in various morphs.
• Soragoi: Soragoi are a docile and friendly species that are ideal for first-time koi owners. They are identified by their solid silver or gray color, and are known for their peaceful nature.
• Hi Utsuri and Ki Utsuri: These koi are similar to Shiro Utsuri, but have red or orange patterns overlaid on their black skin. They are a popular species among koi keepers and can be found in various variations.
• Tancho Kohaku: These koi are highly sought after for their unique red marking on their head. They are a prized species among koi enthusiasts and can be found in various morphs.
• Kujaku: Kujaku koi are known for their striking black net pattern on top of a white base, accented with red, yellow, and orange splashes. They are a hardy species that can adapt well to different water conditions.
• Shiro Utsuri: These koi have a black base overlaid with patches of pure white. They are a stunning species that are highly prized for their distinctive coloration and patterns.
• Ochiba Shigure: These koi have a unique brown and silver coloring, and are known for their friendly and peaceful nature. They are a popular species among koi enthusiasts and can be found in various morphs.
• Ogon: These koi are easily recognizable by their solid metallic-white or gold coloring. They are a hardy species that can thrive in different pond environments.
• Shusui: These scaleless koi are similar to Asagi, but have a row of deep blue scales along the dorsal line. They are a striking species that are highly prized for their unique coloration and patterns.
• Taisho Sanke: These koi have a red and black pattern over a solid white base. They are a popular species among koi enthusiasts and can be found in various morphs.
• Kikokuryu and Kin Kikokuryu: These koi have a white base with black areas inside the scales, and can exhibit black along the back row of scales and around the head, eyes, and nose. Kin Kikokuryu will also show flashes of orange and yellow patterns.
• Showa Sanshoku: These koi are similar to Sanke, but have a black base with red and white markings. They are a popular species among koi enthusiasts and can be found in various morphs.
• Kohaku: These koi have a solid white base with a red pattern overlay. They are one of the most well-known varieties of koi, and are highly prized for their clear definition along the boundaries of the reds.
• Asagi: These koi are recognised for their deep blue netted pattern on their backs, complemented by a display of red or orange on the belly, body, gill plates, and head. They are a common variety of koi that can be found in various morphs.

Table of Koi types, characteristics and sizes!