How long can koi fish go without food?  There are a lot of factors that contribute to how long your koi can go without eating. Things such as the weather or the temperature of their water contribute to how much they will eat throughout the year.

During the summer months when their metabolism is high they can go two weeks without being feed. Mostly because they are feeding on whatever comes upon their pond. Anything more than that and you are risking your koi’s life.

Read further to understand the feeding cycle of the koi, what to do if you have run out of food, and how to feed your koi while you are away.

Feeding cycle of the koi

How long koi can live without eating is highly dependent on the temperature where you live. During the colder parts of winter (40° and below) koi can go weeks without eating. However, during the summer they can only live for two weeks without food.

The koi’s metabolism fluctuates during the year. In the winter when the temperature of their water goes below 40 degrees F koi will go into hibernation mode.

Originating from colder environments like Japan, koi conserve their energy for the coldest periods. During this time they will not eat and will not move around a lot.

Summer is a different matter entirely. Their metabolism is a lot higher so koi need to eat a lot more during this period. Once the temperature reaches 75° koi need to eat at least 4 or 5 times a day.

The only time in the summer that koi will stop eating is if their water gets above 95°. Due to where they originate koi are not use to this high-temperature range will stop eating to conserve their energy.

The two-week summer estimate also has a lot of variables such as:

• Type of environment: pond or tank
• Plantlife
• Where the pond is located

If your koi is hungry, but you are not feeding them they will find what they can in their environments like plants, algae, random bugs, and smaller fish. Differences in any of these variables influence the amount of time they can go without food.

So if your koi live in a tank with no live plant life or algae to snack on don’t count on the two time period. The number of fish in your koi pond will limit the time your koi will survive without food due to the competition.

During the fall and spring months, depending on the variables above, they can last a little bit longer than the two weeks since their metabolism is not as high. Here is a helpful temperature guide to understanding the koi’s appetite in connection with the water temperature.

• Extreme heat 95-over 100° F – Koi will lose their appetite, feed once or twice a day
• 75-95° F – Four to five times a day
• 75-65° F – Four times a day
• 65-55° F – Three times a day (start to decrease their protein intake)
• 55-50° F – Two times a day
• 50-40° F-Start feeding them three times a week
• Under 40°- Stop feeding them

We also recommend reading our articles on what to do with koi fish during winter:

Now given that information you know that it isn’t a good idea to let your fish go without eating when they need food. If there is a situation where you will either be out of town or have run out of food check out the tips below.

Feeding alternatives if you have run out of food

If you are in a bit of a bind because you don’t have a local place that sells koi food and you are waiting for a shipment of food to come in don’t worry there are few things that you can check.

First what time of the year is it. If it is during the hotter months your koi will need more food, whereas in the cooler time they eat less.

Check your pantry for food that they can eat. Again the time of year plays a part in this. If it is during the summer they will enjoy protein with some carbohydrates. So if you have frozen shrimp boil them until they are tender they cut them up in pieces that they can eat.

Your koi also loves fruit and vegetables. Watery textures are a big winner with your koi so lettuces and watermelons fair well. They will even eat oranges, melons, broccoli, and kale. For food that is harder like broccoli boil it until it softens then cut it up enough for them to eat.

Harder carbs are better during the chillier months or for one meal during the hotter time. Things such as rice, potatoes, and bread are ok, but there needs to be some caution here.

The white versions of these foods are starchy which can cause your koi to swell up. Go for the whole wheat types of starches instead or sweet potatoes.

For rice and sweet potatoes boil them first, then cut them up in smaller enough bits for your koi to eat. You can lightly add honey to the food if you want. For bread they like crumbles.

The koi’s teeth are in the back of their throat so if it isn’t soft enough to break down then you will need to cut it up into pieces. Texture comes into play with harder fruits and vegetables.

Boil anything too hard for them to break down with their mouths. Let it cool down before you give them the food. You can also mix honey with the crumbly food, your koi love honey. Keep it in moderation, honey has a lot of fructose in it.

How to feed your koi when you are away

Ugh traveling while owning koi. You can’t take your koi to a local pet sitter and depending on the time of year they need care throughout the day. If you are lucky then there is already someone you can trust to take of your koi.

Not everybody has that person or they don’t trust the people around them to take care of their precious koi. Understandable for the novice feeding koi is a bit overwhelming.

For those that want a human to care for their fish while away check with your local dealer to see if any trustworthy experienced koi owners wouldn’t mind babysitting your fish.

If that isn’t an option for you or the thought of someone you don’t know taking care of your fish sends up red flags then try an auto-feeder. For indoor tanks, they are easy to find and you have a lot of options.

Outdoor auto-feeders are a little more difficult to locate. Ask your local fish person if they have any in stock or you can purchase the one below.

When purchasing an auto-feeder for your pond check the fine print to ensure it will work outside. The elements will do a number on the feeder that isn’t equipped to deal with rain, wind, snow, and the sun.

An outdoor feeder will be weatherproof and protect your koi food from any damage. These devices can be automated to schedule food times and have portion control.

If you are planning a trip purchase one a little bit before you go so that you can get the portion and timing correct. If you have a larger pond purchase two of them.

Automatic feeders can be programmed for any time of the year so you can set it for the heavy summer feeding and the slowed downfall.

This outdoor auto-feeder works well for those who away. Time and portion are both programmable on the P7000. It protects your koi’s food from damage and takes 4 C batteries so you don’t have to worry about something running while you are away.

As an extra precaution, people place these automatic feeders in a plastic tub and hang it above the middle of the pond. This is to prevent the koi from swimming up to the edge of the pond where they will be exposed to predators while you are away.

Auto-feeders such as these work better with pellet type food rather than flakes, which can jam the dispensing mechanism.

If you have a tank it’s a lot easier to find an auto-feeder for your koi. This particular model (click to see) has the same programmable features that the outdoor model above has, plus measures to keep the food dry like ventilation fan and splash-proof buttons.

Don’t freak out if your koi has stopped eating if it is cold outside. It’s their natural process to hibernate in the winter like you see bears doing. When the spring comes their metabolism will kick back up and you will be feeding them several times a day again.

Luckily enough the koi will eat just about anything so if you have run out of food and are waiting for the shipment to arrive. For trips check out auto-feeders so that you know they will be feed when you are away.

The post How Long Can Koi Fish Go Without Food? appeared first on Water World Craze.

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The post Koi appeared first on Water World Craze.

Koi fishes need a pump as the live plants in the pond are not enough to provide them with an abundant source of oxygen. As their population grows, the production of carbon dioxide also grows. A pump will ensure that there is enough oxygen, so your koi fishes will not go up the surface for air.

A lot of koi fish owners have been doing away with the pump, but breeders are leaning towards using a pump as they believe that it will make it easier for the koi fishes to go about their regular activity. Why leave their breathing capacity to chance, right?

So if you are still unsure when it comes to installing a pump in your koi fish pond, keep on reading to for more information!

Do Koi Fish Need A Pump?

As we have already established earlier, koi fishes need a pump. In order to enrich our discussion, we will also talk about the benefits of having a pump in your indoor or outdoor pond.

1. Proper Oxygenation

It is a common belief that carbon dioxide is not good to not only koi fishes but all fishes. But the truth is, carbon dioxide works with oxygen so that living organisms in the pond will thrive. It is only when there is an imbalance between the two, that it becomes harmful to your koi fishes.

What happens is that your koi fishes will breathe in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. In turn, the carbon dioxide is absorbed by the plants, and they will release oxygen. It is good to note that the oxygen that the plants produce are not consistent in amount.

It may or may not be sufficient for the breathing needs of your koi fishes.

This is where the pump comes in handy. First off, it is extremely difficult to replicate the plants found in the wild that are sure to provide sufficient oxygen. Another point is the fact that these plants cannot foster the useful microorganisms in the pond that will benefit your koi fishes.

When you have a pump, it will be in charge of those two processes.

The pump will give room for the microorganisms that are included in the nitrogen cycle as well as provide enough oxygen. In this way, carbon dioxide and oxygen levels will always be balanced.

More than that, having a pump can be helpful when the water temperature goes up to 80 °F or higher as the plants in the pond find it difficult to release oxygen at this temperature.

We also recommend reading this article: How long koi fish can survive without a pump!

2. Waste Management

Another good thing about having a pump is the fact that the water is continuously being filtered or at least there is some movement in the water that will help with waste management.

There are a variety of ways as to how waste in your pond can accumulate. Of course, there is the waste of your koi fishes, the food that was not eaten, and other conditions found in the pond like algae, moss, etc.

Having a lot of waste produces an extreme amount of carbon monoxide and ammonia that are dangerous to your koi fishes. They will not be able to breathe properly and the water will be too toxic for their immune systems to handle.

Needless to say, cleaning the pond will not be enough, especially as you cannot deep clean it every day. Further, deep cleaning regularly is not recommended as you will remove beneficial bacteria in the pond.

If you have a pump, the water will always be filtered and even though it cannot get rid of all the waste, at least there will not be an accumulation of waste. The waste that is left behind will just be dealt with through natural processes.

3. Koi Fish Physiology

This is pretty self-explanatory, especially if you have owned a lot of koi fishes. You already know that they can get really big, especially the females.

Even though they do breed based on the season, they still manage to breed successfully and if you do not pay attention, you might just be surprised that the number of koi fishes in your pond has already doubled!

Given their size, it also accounts for how much oxygen they need. Just like humans, an adult needs more oxygen than toddlers. The same thing goes for your koi fishes, the bigger they get, the more oxygen they need.

Further, the more koi fishes you have, the more there is competition for oxygen.

What To Look For In A Pump

Let us now discuss the factors that are important to know when you are going to choose a pump. Keep in mind that it should also pair well with how much maintenance you can do as well as the needs of your pond.

Placement

When you go to a pet store or online pet shop, you will see that there are generally two types of pumps and they are categorized based on how they are placed in your pond. The first one is that it can be mounted on the outside of your pond.

The second one is that it can be placed under your pond water.

A lot of people choose the one that can be placed underneath the pond as it is more aesthetically pleasing to the eyes but it is actually safer to use the one that can be mounted on the ground. The reason for this is that the possible injury to your koi fishes are minimized.

Some of their delicate parts might get sucked in the intake of the pump while it is working underneath the water.

In such a case that you are worried about how it looks from the outside when you opt for the one that can be mounted outside, you can simply choose one that has piping on the outside so that it will not look too obvious.

Filtration System

The pumps that are sold for ponds do not necessarily have filtration systems. Most of them tend to aid in circulating the water so that the oxygen levels will be always sufficient. Therefore, choose a pump based on the needs of your pond.

If you see that waste tends to build up fast, it is better to choose a pump that has a filtration system.

Having a filtration system in your pump will also help in those times when the water turns murky quickly. In the event that you chose a pump that does not have a filtration system, you do not have to worry as there are filtration systems that can be attached separately to your pump.

Energy Sufficiency

This is the part where we are simply looking out for your wallet. However funny that may sound, keep in mind that the pump runs continuously and if you have a high energy pump, you might just have a heart attack when your electric bill comes in.

The rule of thumb is, the higher the pump wattage, the higher the energy it consumes.

If you are trying to save on electricity, it is best to go with a pump that has low wattage. You just have to make sure that it will still be able to properly process the water in your pond.

Also do not forget to think about the other elements that can be powered by your pump, like a waterfall in your pond. If you have extra elements, then it is good to go for high wattage.

Just keep in mind that a pump that already has a filtration system built into it consumes less energy than having a separate pump and a filtration system. So make your choices wisely as your wallet will definitely feel it if you make the wrong choice.

The post 3 Vital Reasons Why Koi Fish Need A Pump appeared first on Water World Craze.

How long can koi fish survive without a pump? Without intervention, your koi fish will not survive for long without a pump. Depending on the oxygen level in your pond or tank they will survive at least a day.

While it’s possible to have koi fish without a pump, it does take a lot of daily work to keep your fish healthy and happy.

Pumpless ponds or tanks should only be handled by people who have owned koi for over a decade, without that elevated level of experience you might just kill your koi.

Read further to learn what to do if your pump breaks, what your pump does for your koi fish, and the best pumps out there for your pond.

What a pond pump does for your koi

We have created an entire article with 3 reasons why pumps are vital for koi here. Here is the short answer:

The pump not only helps keep your pond or tank clean and oxygen-rich for your koi it also helps you with labor and stress. Not having a pump means that all of the benefits that it provides will have to be manually done.

That takes a lot of thought, care, and work on your part. To understand what to do if your pump breaks or if you want a koi pond without a pump you first need to understand what the pump does.

The pump provides two functions for koi, it cleans the pond from the toxins and excrement that the koi produce and it creates a current to generate oxygen in the pond for your koi to breathe.

Fish don’t have the luxury of disposing of their waste in designated areas and then moving away. It’s in the water with them. They have to swim in it, breathe it, and eat in it. In a bigger environment, they can get away, but in a 1000 gallon tank or pond, it’s not as easy.

These toxins, in turn, depletes the oxygen levels in the water making it harder for your koi to breathe. Adding to that crisis the koi needs additional oxygen to process their food properly.

They don’t have stomachs so all of their digestive processes happen in their intestines, causing them to need more time and oxygen to break down their food.

Due to the flow of water pumps also help combat invasive growths in your pond that compete with your koi for oxygen.

The process of eliminating waste by your pond pump limits the growth of algae. A little alga is ok, but it starts to cover the entire pond it hurts your koi.

In tiny amounts, the algae will eat the toxins that your koi naturally produce and also act as a little snack for your hungry carp. But unlike other pond plants who produce copious amounts of oxygen by absorbing the bad, algae will also absorb oxygen.

In massive amounts, it will take all of the oxygen from your koi. This especially becomes a problem in the spring and summer months known as algae bloom.

Algae bloom is caused by the direct sunlight, heat, and the waste in your koi’s water, whether that be from the koi themselves, uneaten food, or decaying matter.

These algae blooms are especially hard to combat when there is no filtration in the pond or if the water is still, or standing water. You can tell if you are having an algae issue by a pea-green looking carpet covering the top of your koi pond.

What to do if your pump breaks?

Your pump is going to break. That is just something that you are going to have to accept, it’s machinery and not meant to last for vast periods. Especially since your koi have a live span of 20-35 years.

Due to the importance of your pump to your koi’s livelihood checking it periodically is necessary. Without intervention, your koi will last a day, depending on the oxygen level in your pond or tank, if your pump breaks.

After that, you are playing a game with their life.

If your koi are not eating when they are not hibernating and seem lethargic then check the pump to make sure it is working properly.

Something to consider if your pump does break, your fish need more oxygen when they eat to digest their food. As soon as you know your pump is broken stop feeding them.

With the lack of oxygen already and the struggle it takes for them to reach the surface to breathe they are more likely to suffocate.

Once you discover that your pump is broken try to find a new pump immediately.

If you don’t have any local sources for a pump or the issue is due to a blackout there are a few things that you can do to keep them healthy until the power comes back on or you can get a new pump.

The main issue here is oxygen. A few hours after your pump is not working do a water change on the pond to circulate some oxygen through the water.

A 20 percent water change will do fine. You will have to do this several times, not skipping a day if it takes your pump longer to arrive.

For those who have issues with blackouts consider getting a backup generator if it is within your budget. It will save you a lot of time and effort along with the stress involved with desperately trying to keep your koi alive.

Ways to keep a koi pond without a pump

You can have a koi pond without a pump, but it will be a lot more work for you. If you are new to koi fish it’s best to start with the easiest option or you could kill your fish. Only seasoned koi owners need to try ponds without a pump.

Since koi are traditionally outside instead of an indoor system it is harder to keep the conditions right. A pond pump helps keep everything exactly right for your koi.

• Plants
• Put pond where there is no direct sunlight
• Changing water

Plants are necessary for your koi pond even if you have a pump. They provide your fish with a place to hide from more aggressive members of the pond. They also absorb all of the toxins that naturally come from your koi.

In return, they put out oxygen which is essential to your koi not just to breathe, but also to digest their food. Another benefit is the competition for resources that plants provide in the pond.

With limited resources, plants will prevent algae growth because they absorb the same things.

Algae is a huge issue without a filtration system to combat it. While algae growth does happen with indoor tanks, it’s just a natural process when light, heat, and decay are combined in water, outdoors it’s harder to prevent.

To keep a koi pond without a pump you need to limit these factors to help prevent algae growth. Building your pond out of direct sunlight will help limit algae growth.

Putting the pond in the shade of trees or other structures limits the light that your pond will get and also helps with the heat during the steamier months.

Changing the water in your koi pond is essential especially if you don’t have a pump. Naturally, your pond is going to get dirty. From the koi processing their food to plants in the water dying and decaying to uneaten food to algae growth.

All of these things lead to depleting the pond of oxygen leaving your koi to suffocate on their waste. Something nobody wants to experience.

The pump cleans out of these nasty bits and puts more oxygen in the water, without that you will have to get rid of everything manually which is a time-consuming process. When changing the water concentrate on removing dead plants, food, and algae.

What to look for when getting a pump

If you are new to koi fish or honestly don’t have the time to change out the water every day then getting a pump is the best way to go. It will make your life much easier and you know that your beautiful koi are taken care of.

There are few things that you need to look for in a koi pond pump.

• Size of pond
• Amount of fish
• Cost

The size of your pond needs to be considered. You don’t want to get a pump that is too small for the size of your pond or you will not get the results that you are looking for. It will not have the strength needed to circulate the water.

If you see that your koi are gasping for air, then your pond isn’t being cleaned properly and there is not enough oxygen in the water. It should have the strength to circulate your pond at least once per hour.

Due to their size, the koi needs a lot of space. Typically a pond fish they need at last 1000 gallon ponds that are three feet deep. Your pump needs to have enough pressure to accommodate this size.

Weaker pumps won’t have enough pressure for the size of your tank and only part of the water will be cleaned. If you have a 1000 gallon pond then you need a pump that has 500 GPH (gallons per hour).

Then it comes to the number of fish you have in your pond. If you have quite a few then you need to get a pump that works harder. With more fish, there is more waste in the water which means less oxygen for your fish.

Also, you want to create enough circulation for all of your fish to be able to breathe. Having multiple fish, and you will probably get more koi, the gallons per hour on your pump needs to be increased to 1000.

The cost of your pump doesn’t only mean the initial cost, but also how much it is to run. Your pump will be running for 24 hours a day with either a 1 hour or 2 hour circulation period.

3 great pumps for your koi pond

Finding an efficient pump that does not cost a lot to run will help you overall.

The Simple Deluxe pump (see it here) comes in two sizes with the option to purchase a 2 pack of the 1056 gph. This submersible pump at 1056 gph is perfect for a 1000 gallon tank that has multiple fish.

The front can be taken off for easy cleaning and it has both submersible and inline applications.

While not technically a pump this Sunnytech Solar Power Pond Oxygenator will be there for you if your pump ever fails or there is a power outage. It takes up to 10 hours to fully charge but will last up to 50 hours once it does.

For emergencies, you can use AA batteries. If your emergency is due to a blackout during a storm cover this with something durable like a table to prevent ruining the panel.

The Active Aqua Submersible Water Pump (see it here) has a large variety of GPH so if you have a smaller pond you can find the right one for you. It is also a smaller model than the Simple Deluxe above, but the top GPH is 1110.

While koi fish can survive in a pumpless pond it isn’t easy, both for your koi and for you as their caretaker. The pump makes life in the artificial environment of your man-made pond like home for your koi fish and that is the most important thing.

That they can live in ease. Koi fish already need a lot of care and consideration so give yourself a break and use a pump.

The post How Long Can Koi Fish Survive Without A Pump? appeared first on Water World Craze.

But what happens when the pond freezes over and your koi fish are left there? Will they also freeze? Or do they have some sort of mechanism that will help them cope in that situation?

Koi fish hibernate during the winter. However, it is not the same as other animals where they will stock up on food and be on an endless slumber. They will stay at the bottom of the pond while floating upright. Their metabolism and heart also slow down when they go into hibernation mode. 

This does not necessarily mean that you must leave your koi fish in the pond in extremely cold temperatures. A perfect example is when you know for sure that the pond will freeze. They are still not perfectly equipped to survive given this situation.

If you are curious to know what you can do to your hibernating koi fish, this is the right article for you! We are going to talk about what happens to them during their hibernation as well as how you can ensure that all of them are healthy. So keep on reading for more information!

Do Koi Fish Hibernate?

As we have mentioned earlier, koi fish go into hibernation, but it is not the same as the hibernation of other animals, such as bears. They actually go in a state of torpor. So, what is torpor? It is just a fancy way of saying hibernation that is of short duration.

Being in a state of torpor will help the koi fish conserve their energy that will be used in high energy activities on the contrary.

It is also good to note that it is a bit difficult for your koi fish to snap out of this state. This is not something that they can do abruptly, instead, they need to ease themselves out of it slowly but gracefully.

You might think that koi fish will benefit from this cold period since they are cold-water fish which means that they are not tropical, but the truth is, extended periods of cold and dark spells are still not good for them.

In fact, their immune system can be damaged and may even completely shut down.

With that said, if ever you are planning to have koi fish which will be in an outdoor pond, you really have to be informed in all the ways you can support them when they go into hibernation mode (we show you what you should do later in this article).

In this case, you can simulate their natural environment but at the same time, provide them with a situation that will also be beneficial to them.

What Happens When Koi Fish Hibernate?

Let us now take a look at what happens at the bottom of their pond when your koi fish go into hibernation mode. Surely, they are not just sleeping, right?

1. Position

It is truly a wonder how they manage to stay upright when they just “sit” at the bottom of the pond. They maintain this position by tucking their pectoral fins under their bodies.

Keep in mind that the pectoral fins are the ones that are in charge of movements like side to side and up and down.

Therefore, when they are tucked away, this ensures that your koi fish will remain upright and almost “still.” We use the term “still” because they still manage to float and sometimes they will slowly move from one point to another without using their pectoral fins.

2. Behavior

It is a common misunderstanding that your koi fish are braving the cold temperature. In fact, they are staying at the bottom of the pond as the water there is warmer. The opposite thing happens when it is the warmer months, the water at the bottom will be colder.

It is really interesting to see that sometimes, your koi fish will line up during hibernation. In fact, they will also be evenly spaced and they will face the same direction.

You might think that they are doing this so they can share body heat but since koi fish are poikilothermic (meaning, cold-blooded fish) this is not the case.

The truth is, they are just trying to take up space where there is warm water. Therefore, if you house them in a larger pond, they will have a random formation. The same thing goes in terms of the directions they are facing.

As for their activity, it will always be based on the state of the temperature. When the temperature of the water is between 45 F to 55 F they will still slowly go around the pond. They will also sun themselves when the conditions are well, specifically if the pond is still not forming any ice.

It is only when the temperature goes below 45 F that they will remain still. The same goes for instances where the sun is still out. During this time, they should not be fed but this does not necessarily mean that there is no form of sustenance for them.

In fact, they will somehow scrape the sides of the pond to ingest some algae that are nutritious. Usually, these are found on the rocks at the bottom of the bond or at the sides of the pond. In this way, they can store more energy and get some calories.

3. Metabolism

In the wild, koi fish will naturally slow down their metabolic process as it is extremely hard to find food during the winter. The same happens even though they were bred in captivity and they have an abundance of food.

This is also the reason why you should not feed them when the temperature in the pond drops to 51 F.

In the event that you try feeding them, they will refuse to eat as they are preparing to go into hibernation mode. They will not only slow down their metabolism but they will also try to not to move around so much so as to preserve energy.

They will move from time to time, but they will not use their pectoral fins. Their movement is just enough so that their joints will not freeze while they are trying to remain still at the bottom of the pond.

4. Immune System

In the essence of preserving their energy, the immune system of your koi fish will also slow down. This is the biggest threat to them, especially when they get sick during the hibernation period.

However, there is an even bigger threat when winter is over as the bacteria and parasites will become extremely active when the immune system of your koi fish are working normally.

You do not have to worry much when they are in hibernation mode as the parasites and bacteria are also most likely not on full alert. It is only when the temperature shifts that you should pay close attention to the health of your fish.

We will discuss this later on, so just keep on reading!

How Can You Help Your Koi Fish That Are In Hibernation?

Now that you know what happens to your koi fish when they hibernate, it is now time to know how you can assist them in doing this process properly. In this way, they will be prepared when they go into a state of torpor and that they will be healthy afterward.

1. Always Check The Water Temperature

When the winter season is just around the corner, you should start constantly measuring the temperature of the water in your pond. Once it goes below 45 °F, your koi fish will start to go in hibernation mode.

Therefore, even before the water temperature reaches this level, you should start doing preparations to ensure that the pond is in good condition. We highly recommend reading our koi fish temperature guide here!

2. Reduce Feeding

This is in relation to the previous point wherein you should check the temperature. If the temperature is 55 °F or above, you can still feed them the normal amount. However, if you notice that the temperature is dropping, you should gradually reduce their food.

Even before the temperature reaches 45 °F, you should have stopped feeding them.

In the event that you failed to do so and some of your koi fish still managed to eat to their hearts’ content, they will find it hard to slow down their metabolic process and they will struggle during hibernation.

If you feel uncomfortable with not feeding you koi fish, read our article here. It will explain how long koi fish can actually go without food!

3. Clean The Pond

You should make sure that the pond is free from bacteria and parasites. You can do a water treatment, at least two weeks before your koi fish go into hibernation mode.

In this way, there will be not a lot of accumulation of waste that will prompt bacteria to cling to your koi fish once they ease out of their hibernation.

4. Move Your Koi Fish

In the event that you live in a place where the winter season is really tough, and you are sure that your pond will completely freeze, you should consider moving your koi fish into an indoor pond or even individual tanks.

In this way, they do not have to cope with the harsh cold temperature of the water.

You can then just simulate the temperature in the tank so that they will go into hibernation mode. This is actually the ideal situation so that your koi fish will remain healthy and you can easily observe them.

5. What about baby koi?

We have created an entire article about baby koi and winter here! It will show you everything you need to know about that.

The post Do Koi Fish Hibernate? 4 Facts You Must Know appeared first on Water World Craze.

Having clean water, however, is not enough, as the water should also be the right temperature for koi to thrive at.

When it comes to a koi pond’s temperature, it’s important not to let the water get too cold or too hot. Koi fish prefer a water temperature of 65 — 75 °F (18 — 24 degrees Celsius) even though they can survive in water temperatures ranging from 35 °F to 85 °F.

Because even slight temperature changes can have an impact on your koi, you should always have a thermometer in the pond water. This will make it a lot easier to keep an eye on water temperatures throughout the day and season.

However, when you do need to cool the water down or heat it slightly (with the changing of the seasons, for example), you should be careful not to let the temperature change too quickly as this is also bad for your koi and could send them into shock.

Next we’ll be looking at the correct and safe way to either heat up the koi pond’s water or to cool it down.

What To Do If Your Koi Pond’s Water Is Too Hot

Even though koi can survive for a time in water up to 85 F, this is already too warm for many fish, not to mention many aquatic plants. As water’s temperature rises, it contains less dissolved oxygen, while ammonia levels may rise and become toxic to the koi and other pond life.

If you find that your koi pond’s water is too hot, you need to jump in and make some changes. It’s important to know that water in a pond doesn’t heat up as fast as, say, water in a kettle.

It takes quite a while for the water temperature to rise through natural means, so you have time to step in and make the necessary changes.

How to lower a koi pond’s temperature in an emergency

If your pond’s temperature changes by more than 5 degrees or you find that it is higher than 75 F, you’ll definitely have stressed koi and need to do something to cool the water. To do this, you can:

• Create shade over your pond immediately, if you can.
• Change about 20% of the total water in your pond. Do this gradually to lower the temperature gradually as well and not cause shock to your koi.
• If you do change this amount of water, you’ll need to use a dechlorinator, as most cities treat their municipal water with chlorine or chloramines (chlorine and ammonia) as disinfectants. Be sure to use a treatment product that will take care of chlorine and chloramines.
• Then you need to boost the circulation of the pond’s water by using a 3,000 gallon per hour pump. This pump will keep the (now cooler) water cool and flowing.
• You can also add an air pump. This pump will create enough turbulence to ensure that more oxygen is dissolved in the pond water.

Remember to keep an eye on the water temperature while you take these steps to ensure that the water doesn’t cool too quickly, but changes only gradually, giving your koi a chance to adjust.

Once you reach the desired temperature of between 65 – 75 °F, you can stop taking steps to cool it down and focus on keeping the water temperature stable.

How To Prepare Your Koi Pond For Summer

There are steps that you can take to ensure that your koi remain happy during summer by keeping their pond’s water at the correct temperature.

By making some permanent improvements to your pond and its temperature, you will also make it easier to care for because it won’t overheat easily – or at all.

Get the circulation in the pond going by using a pump, waterfall, or stream – or a combination, depending on the size of the pond. This will ensure that the pond’s water circulates which keeps the temperature of the water down.

Shade is also an important part of keeping your pond’s water cool and shading your pond is easier than you may think. While a decorative bridge can bring a bit of relief from the heat, it’s also important to try elements like screens, shrubs, trees, and aquatic plants like water lilies.

Your pond should also have a space that is deeper than two feet. This is because the deeper water is cooler and can then be used as a refuge by your koi during the hottest part of the day. It will also help with cooling down the entire pond as the pump circulates the pond water.

To ensure that the water is as oxygen-saturated as possible, place air stones in the pond, waterfall area and even with your filters.

Remember that the plants also use oxygen during the evening, so you need to keep oxygen levels high to ensure that there is enough oxygen for everyone in the pond.

Feed your koi in the morning and late evening when the temperatures are lower.

You can also try adding a misting product to lower the pond’s temperature by lowering the ambient temperature above and around the pond.

Some fountains have a “misting” setting which you can use, but you can also get a fixture for your garden hose that will spray water in a fine mist. In this way, the immediate area can be cooled by up to twenty degrees (Fahrenheit)!

Not only do they use minimal water, but they are also very cost-effective.

If you find that your pond still keeps on overheating even after trying all these things, you will need to look at moving the entire pond to a cooler spot in the garden.

What To Do If Your Koi Pond’s Water Is Too Cold

If you find that your koi pond’s water is too cold or the temperature is changing by more than about five degrees during the night, you will need to step in and make sure that the water heat up again to a temperature where your koi will be comfortable.

• If the water temperature has dropped below 50 °F, do not feed your koi as they won’t be able to digest the food.

If it’s fall or winter, follow the steps below to increase the temperature of the water during the season. However, if it’s still summer and you find that the water’s temperature is too low, you will need to figure out why this is.

If you live in a very cold climate, it’s important to note that your koi — because they are also cold-blooded — will find it difficult to survive if even the summer temperatures don’t give the water enough time to heat to between 65 F and 75 F.

Your koi will then most likely have to be kept inside all the time in an aquarium to ensure their health and wellbeing.

However, sometimes it can be that you have just implemented too many steps to lower the water temperature during the summer. If this is the case, you can simply take away some of the elements that lower the water temperature like a mister.

You can trim trees and shrubs back, and thin out some of the water lily leaves that are covering the pond’s surface. This will allow more sunlight to get to the pond, which will naturally heat the water.

You can also use a plastic sheet to cover the pond (weighing it down around the edge with heavy objects) during the fall to trap some heat during the cooler days and during the evening.

Place your waterfall and pump on a lower setting, if possible, as this will cause the water to be less turbulent and will help raise the temperature. However, if it’s very cold, don’t switch them completely off as the water in the pipes can freeze quite quickly.

As always, keeping an eye on the water temperature is as important during cooler weather as it is when it’s hot.

If the weather is turning towards fall and winter, it’s important to take precautions before the seasons change completely. This will ensure that you are always in control of the water temperature and keeping your koi comfortable.

How To Prepare Your Koi Pond For Winter

When the seasons change — especially if you live in an area where these changes are very pronounced — it’s important to keep a close eye on your koi pond and be ready to put in the effort and work it will take to keep your koi happy and healthy during the colder months.

Prepare a winter tank or pool

If you know that you live in a very cold area and that keeping your pond at the right temperature or ice-free is not really possible, start to ready an aquarium or holding tank for your koi inside (for instance in the garage) before the cold comes instead of rushing through it once the pond is already freezing over.

You can then move your koi before they start to “hibernate”. Koi do not really hibernate – what this means for you and 4 facts you must know are explained here!

Also, we show you in this article what to do with baby koi during the winter.

Use Heating Techniques

You can also build a greenhouse-like enclosure over your pond to keep the water from getting too cold over the winter months or using a solar cover (the kind used for pools) to keep the temperature from getting too cold or fall too quickly.

If you choose this route, you can also quite easily use a koi heater to keep the pond from freezing over. (It’s very important to still run your air pump even if the water is freezing over.)

Get Rid Of Parasites

Ensure that your koi and your pond are parasite-free before the cold weather hits. It’s good to treat your pond in fall.

During winter the pathogens will most likely be dormant, but once the warmer weather comes they can flourish and attack koi that are vulnerable after winter.

Potential Bacterial Threats

Feed your koi antibiotic-medicated food once before winter strikes while the water temperature is still above 65 F. This should take care of any potential bacterial issues.

You should also stop feeding your koi if the water drops below 50 °F. While they’ll still eat, they won’t be able to digest the food properly and that could lead to illness and even death in some fish.

Stop The Waterfall

Either stop or bypass your pond’s waterfall (even if it’s in a greenhouse) as this will lessen the amount of water that is exposed to the cold. This will then help to retain some heat.

Insulate The Plumbing

Insulate your koi pond’s plumbing for winter to help keep the water from freezing inside. While you need to bypass or turn off the pond’s waterfall, you shouldn’t turn off the filters, but keep them running throughout the winter.

Control The Ice

If the pond does freeze over, make sure that the ice doesn’t cover the entire surface and that there is space for fresh air to reach your koi. The ice should also not be too thick — koi may be able to survive for times at low temperatures but not literally being frozen!

Stop and empty the water pump and filter but keep the air pump running.

Keep An Eye On Your Fish

Watch your fish closely for any that do not act like the other fish as they may be ill or injured and need to be quarantined.

Do Water Tests

Test the water often and especially if there are fish who seem out of character. You may have a problem with too high levels of nitrite or ammonia and will need to do a major water change of up to 40% to correct it. You should, if this is the case, also stop feeding your koi.

As you can see, all the steps to keep the correct water temperature for your koi fish means keeping the temperature as stable as possible to keep your koi as comfortable as possible.

Comfortable koi means that they won’t be stressed and as prone to disease, giving you many more happy years with your koi!

The post The Optimal Koi Fish Temperature Range (Ultimate Guide) appeared first on Water World Craze.

So, will they be happy inside an aquarium?

Koi fish can be kept in an aquarium, but it should only be temporary. Your koi fish will eventually outgrow the tank. Also, an aquarium will not be able to give the right environmental conditions as that of a pond. Keeping koi fish in an aquarium should only be on a case to case basis. 

In such a case where you really need to keep your koi fish in an aquarium, you should first know how to properly set up the tank. Even though they will stay there temporarily, of course, you should still provide them with the right tank conditions.

If you want to know when it is okay to keep your koi fish in an aquarium, keep on reading to find out more information. Further, be on the lookout for our tips and tricks on how to properly set up their aquarium.

When Can Koi Fish Be Kept In An Aquarium?

As we have mentioned earlier, you can still keep your koi fish in an aquarium, however, it is not the ideal set up. But surely, there are those instances when this cannot be avoided. Take a look at the following to see when you should go with the aquarium route.

Newly Purchased Koi Fish

Let us say you already have koi fish and they are in an indoor or outdoor pond. However, you are not interested in breeding them, so you tweak their water condition or you separate the females in order to prevent a spawn. Instead, you want to keep on purchasing new koi fish.

Is it okay to add them to the pond instantly? For some breeders, they think that it is okay to immediately add new fish to the pond as for them, koi fish thrive with other koi fish. On the other hand, some breeders opt to put the new koi fish in an aquarium first.

This is because doing a quarantine first will ensure that the new koi fish will not bring parasites or diseases to the healthy koi fish in the pond. More than that, you can also acclimatize the new koi fish with the water conditions of the pond.

In this way, once they are ready to join their new brothers and sisters, they will not be shocked or stressed too much when it comes to the new water conditions and temperature. For some, they do a quarantine of 30 days. Others are already okay with 15 days.

Koi Fry

Now this one is exciting! Imagine holding the fertilized eggs of your koi fish. It is a good idea to take out the eggs from the pond and let the fry hatch in an aquarium.

This is the best option as koi fish are cannibalistic. If you leave the fertilized eggs in the pond, the eggs might be eaten even before they hatch or the fry will not survive as they were eaten by their parents.

So it is okay to let them hatch in an aquarium. In this way, the fry will not be too stressed and their cannibalistic tendencies toward other smaller fry will be lessened as there is no competition for food.

Koi Fish That Are Sick/Injured

Of course, there will always be those times when one or more of your koi fish will go down with something or they get injured.

In the event that you really have to separate them so as not to pass on a disease or parasite to your other koi fish, you need to make use of a separate tank to contain them properly.

It will then be easier to tend to their needs and also administer the needed medication. At the same time, their distress will also be lessened as they do not have to deal with a lot of tank mates.

But once they are doing okay, you should put them back as you do not want them to completely readjust to the conditions of the pond.

Cold Or Winter Season

This is really a huge project for koi fish owners especially for those who have a natural pond set up and for those who live in a place where there are extreme winter conditions. Surely, your pond will freeze and of course, you do not want your koi fish to freeze to death.

Therefore, during the cold winter months, you really have to take your koi fish inside and let them stay in an aquarium. Of course, we are not only talking about a single aquarium here as that will also depend on how many fish you have and their respective sizes.

A lot of breeders recommend this method instead of using a heating element on the pond. Not only is it cost-efficient, but using an aquarium will also be easier to maintain.

Why Keeping Koi Fish In An Aquarium Should Be Temporary

The main reason why koi fish cannot be kept in an aquarium permanently is that they grow so rapidly. Even though you are keeping significantly smaller koi fish, they will eventually grow large.

Take for example a baby koi, he or she will outgrow the tank in just a year. So imagine housing at least five koi fish in one tank, they will surely feel that they are being deprived of swimming and resting spaces.

Unfortunately, this is the case as to why some koi fish owners eventually give their koi fish away. They get so attached to the koi fish while they are in the aquarium that they fail to prepare for an indoor and outdoor pond. By the time they grow to their full size, it is already too late.

Much more important than the size of the koi fish in the tank, it is generally unhealthy for them to be stuffed in an aquarium. They should have a large swimming space in order to swim in groups or to swim around alone.

Further, it will be easier for them to pass on diseases when they are cramped. You might also notice that they bully each other more when they are in the tank as they are constantly fighting for space.

If you truly want to grow your koi fish population, then you should consider seriously investing in an indoor or outdoor pond. In doing so, you give your koi fish the proper way of life and this will make them healthier and happier.

How To Properly Set Up The Aquarium

Now that you know the instances where keeping koi fish are acceptable, you should now gear up for the proper set up of the tank.

As we have mentioned earlier, no amount of tank set up can replicate the conditions of their pond, however, you can still ensure that at least, they get to live comfortably in their aquarium.

1. Tank Size

Make sure that you get an aquarium that is big enough to house the number of koi fish you have. Definitely, they need a tank that can carry large volumes so that they will be comfortable. The rule of thumb is there should one cubic foot with every inch of the length of your koi fish.

You can determine the tank’s cubic footage when you multiply the height, width, and length. You should also provide a cover at the top of the aquarium to minimize the evaporation of water and to make sure that your koi fish will not successfully leap out of their aquarium.

Further, make sure that you put the aquarium on top of a stand that can fully support its weight. As for the location, you can pick an area that can also provide some sort of support to the tank like a support wall or a concrete basement floor.

We show you what tank size koi fish need in detail in this article.

2. Sunlight

You should consider the amount of sunlight that will be directed to the aquarium. When there is constant direct sunlight, it will be easier to develop algae. Moreover, this will also change the water temperature.

Therefore, it is best to keep the aquarium away from sunlight. In relation to this, as koi fish are sensitive to things around them, you should place them in an area where there is not a lot of sound vibrations. In this way, they will not be too stressed.

3. Substrate

When it comes to the substrate, koi fish enjoy having rocks, gravel (big and small), and rock pieces. As they are bottom feeders, they will sift through the substrate to forage for food.

Make sure that the substrate is at least two inches deep and that there is a mixture of gravel. It does not matter whether they are natural or artificial. What matters is that there is some sort of substrate at the bottom of the tank.

4. Water Levels

For young koi fish, 29 gallons of water is acceptable. But you should always be on alert once they grow as they will need more water. Also, there should be 100 gallons of water for every koi fish that is 12 inches long.

So if you have nine koi fish that are six inches long, the 100 gallons of water will be enough for them. Following the same logic, 100 gallons of water is enough for 90 koi fish that are two inches long.

Most importantly, always pair the level of water on the number and size of your koi fish. You do not want the water to be too much or else it might end up spilling out of the tank or adding unnecessary weight to the tank.

5. Water Temperature

Koi fish are cold water pond fish, so they really do not need an aquarium heater. However, you can use that especially if you live in a place where the cold months can reach extremes.

They can withstand a temperature that is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit and below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if they are in the aquarium, the temperature should be between 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit. In this way, it will be warm enough for them to have a good metabolism.

6. Proper Maintenance

As for the filtration system, it should be able to process all the water for at least three to five times in an hour. So let us say you have a 20-gallon tank, the filtration system should be able to handle at least 60 gallons of water for every hour.

You should also add beneficial bacteria in the tank in order to help in breaking down waste. Testing the ph level every day is important as koi fish prefer it to be between 7 and 9.

As for water changes, you should do them partially every week. You can take out 10 to 20 percent of the water and add dechlorinated water.

7. Enrichment

Lastly, in order to replicate what they have in their pond, you can add live plants. They will also have fun with floating live plants. However always check on them as koi fish may also eat these plants, especially in an aquarium setting where they will always swim around these plants.

How To Feed Koi Fish In An Aquarium

The way that you feed your koi fish in their pond will vary in the way that they should be fed in the aquarium. The reason for this is that uneaten food will abruptly turn into waste and it may get sucked into the filtration system.

So the solution is to just feed your koi fish enough food that they can consume in just five to seven minutes. In this way, there will not be a lot of waste and the water will not become cloudy too fast.

Make sure that you do not overfeed them as this will also pollute the water and can add too much ammonia. Another thing as to why you should only feed them enough food that will last for a couple of minutes is in the way they eat food.

Usually, they will let their food drop to the substrate and they will look around the gravel for it. Doing so highly disrupts the gravel and any loose ones will be immediately sucked by the filtration system.

So in the long run, it can clog your filters and at the same time, your koi fish were not able to eat at their heart’s content.

Giving them food in an adequate amount will let them eat the food while it is still falling inside the tank. More than that, in the event that some will be left on the substrate, it will not contribute highly to the waste in the tank.

The post Can Koi Fish Be Kept In An Aquarium? appeared first on Water World Craze.

Koi fish minimum tank size? The minimum size requirements for koi differ between indoor tank set up and an outdoor pond. These size requirements reflect the size of koi that are kept in each containment.

However, each type has different measurements to go by. For an indoor tank, your koi will need at least a 50-gallon aquarium. Ponds, on the other hand, have to be bigger, the recommended size for a koi pond is 250 gallons for one fish.

Which type you choose depends on your situation. Read further for the size needed for each type and the advantages and disadvantages.

Space requirements for koi

While we think of koi living in a pond they are a very versatile fish when it comes to indoor or an outdoor environment. Each one, however, has its requirements when it comes to size.

Size of koi

In addition to the variety of colors that koi exhibit they also come in a variety of sizes. To determine the size of the tank that you need first the size of your koi needs to be established.

Koi come in many sizes, the standard three are:

• Koi: 12-15 inches long
• Japanese Koi: 22-26 inches long
• Jumbo Koi: 34-36 inches long

Even the smaller variety of koi grow pretty long for a domesticated fish. Koi will grow to their genetic length regardless of the size of the tank that they are in. Being held in a smaller tank will just slow down the time it takes for your koi to reach their full length.

Here are a few articles we also recommend reading before choosing a tank for you koi fish:

Size of a tank for smaller fish

The minimum aquarium size for the smaller koi is 50 gallons with a general measurement of 36 7/8 x 19 x 19 5/8. Just for one fish. For each additional fish add another 50 gallons.

So if you have six koi fish you will need a 300-gallon tank. As you can see the 50-gallon aquarium is only for the smaller koi allowing them over half of the space to swim around in. Your koi should be of the same length as their environment.

While koi fish can live in a tank alone it isn’t their natural way of doing things. The koi is a not a specific breed of fish, but a variety of the Amur carp that are selectively bred for their color.

Amur carp are a shoaling fish meaning they swim together loosely. Whereas schooling fish swim in the same direction. A shoaling fish will deal with being alone better than a schooling fish, but they still would rather be with those of their species.

Consequently, if you want your koi to have a satisfying life plan on purchasing a group of them, typically enthusiasts will purchase koi in odd numbers. A tradition that harks back to its Japanese roots.

When the Japanese and Jumbo koi are young it is ok to keep them in an indoor tank, this an effective way to keep them away from predators. However, as they start to grow they will need much larger accommodations either indoor or outdoor.

Smaller koi of the 15-inch variety can live indoors easily due to their size.

For a community tank compare the size requirements for each of the fish to prevent any territorial action. Not an impossible task, but it does require some thoughtfulness on your end and enough room in your home.

Koi are naturally a very docile fish, but if they don’t have enough room they will pick on those that are smaller than them.

Pond size or large koi tanks

Those that are planning a pond for their koi the measurements are a bit higher. Traditionally koi ponds have larger types of koi fish such as the Japanese or Jumbo fish.

A good rule of thumb to go by for ponds or larger koi tanks is 250-gallons per koi fish. A koi pond with 5 fish will need to be 1250-gallons and at least 3-feet deep.

The depth of the pond needs to increase to 5-feet deep if you live in a colder environment to prevent the pond from freezing over.

That might seem like an exaggeration, but these are large fish and they need their room. With too many fish in the pond, a lot of waste will build up making them miserable and unable to breathe.

Adding a hardcore filtration system and various additions like a waterfall or air stones for air circulation help with the toxins your fish will inevitably produce. Though it won’t work miracles for an overstocked pond.

Keep on a conservative estimate for your koi fish and they will be a happy and healthy addition to your family for a long time.

As for depth, it might not seem like it, but koi are a bottom-dwelling fish. The only reason we misconstrue them as a surface level fish on account of their appetite compelling them to the surface for snacks from you.

Pond vs. Tank

Whether you should build a pond or set up an aquarium indoors is entirely up to you, your situation, and what you can afford. Each option has its’s advantages and disadvantages.

Larger aquariums or even pond setups are difficult to find online. For the main components of your koi’s environment, you will have to go to a specialty retailer if you plan on having multiple koi.

Tanks

When you think of koi you usually picture them in a pond coming up to great whoever is feeding them. While that does sound idyllic not everyone has the means of making a koi pond happen.

Koi are not exclusive to those who have outdoor access such as people who live in apartments or those who rent and are not able to dig.

When your koi are indoors you can control the temperature of the water a lot more than you do in an outdoor pond. This simple action makes feeding your koi a whole lot easier.

The koi’s appetite is determined by the season. In the summer, their metabolism is a lot higher, while in the wintertime it can be completely non-existent. With the ability to control the temperature of their environment keeping up with this feeding schedule is erased.

The average temperature range for an indoor koi tank is from 68° to 77° F keeping your koi in the light summer feeding phase of 3 to 4 times daily.

They still need to have small meals throughout the day due to their lack of a stomach, with each feeding lasting 5 minutes. Since they will be fed plenty of times throughout the day treats are still an option.

Another advantage of using an indoor tank is protection. Outdoors your koi are exposed to the various predators that might come along such as raccoons or large birds of prey.

You also don’t have to worry about the dreaded algae bloom season when your pond will turn pea green.

Tanks larger than 55-gallons can be purchased from specialty retailers. Younger large koi can live together in a smaller tank if are small. This will be a temporary situation until they start to grow in length.

The time that it takes them to grow can be used towards putting the final changes on your koi’s permanent home.

Ponds

The classic set up. Koi just love to be in a pond. It provides them with ample room and plenty of snacks when you aren’t around. Honestly, it is just visually stimulating to walk out to your koi pond and see their little heads bobbing up and down ready for food.

Larger koi ponds also provide you with room for your family of fish to grow. People who own koi start to get an addiction to them and they want increasingly.

Are outdoor ponds harder to maintain? Yeah, they are. Is it worth it to give your koi a large place to not only live but thrive in as close as you can get natural environment while also appreciating the beauty of it all? Yes, it is.

For outdoor ponds you have two options, hire a professional or set it up yourself. Using a professional will help guarantee your pond is set up correctly, but it will cost you quite a few coins.

Whereas building a koi pond yourself is a lot cheaper and gives you a closer understanding of your pond set up. Either way, you are going to pay either with your wallet or your back.

Setting up an outdoor pond is an intensive process looking out for electrical wires, placement, and obtaining the right equipment for your level of involvement. Research your land to prevent cutting any wire’s or busting into a septic tank before building.

If your ultimate plan is to have a koi pond in your bank yard start your research before purchasing your fish.

Whatever you choose for your koi make sure it is comfortable for both you and your fish. Koi are large fish by domesticated standards and need the room to accommodate them.

If you are not in a situation right now to fulfill those needs just wait a bit before you start raising koi.

The post What Is The Minimum Tank Size For Koi Fish? appeared first on Water World Craze.

So, can baby koi survive the winter?

Yes, baby koi can survive winter as long as the water doesn’t freeze. Making baby koi survive in outdoor ponds can be challenging when the water temperature drops below 32 °F. However, by using proper water heating equipment, minimizing the feeding, etc. the survival of baby koi can be ensured.

Often new koi owners worry about how to care for their swimmer buddies during the winter months and ensure their safety and good health.

Especially when it’s the baby koi, worrying about their survival during winter is quite obvious since they are vulnerable and more prone to fall sick easily.

However, no matter how cold it gets outside, with proper care and safety measures, your Koi, both the grown-ups and the little ones can survive the harsh colder months in your outside ponds. Read on to know in detail.

A detailed study of whether baby Koi can survive winter or not

Just like amphibians and reptiles, Koi fish are also Poikilothermic or cold-blooded water animals. It is on the temperature of the water upon which their metabolism, as well as the functioning of their immune system, depends.

Therefore, as the outside pond water starts getting colder with the arrival of winter, koi fish find it difficult to maintain their usual fast metabolism rate and effectively functioning immune system.

During the winter months, Koi fish, both small and big, therefore, go to a hibernation-like state, where they neither eat nor move around much. It’s their way of surviving the winter. However, if the temperature drops below 32 °F (0 °C), external help becomes necessary for their survival.

Can baby koi survive in cold water?

Winter simply lowers the survival chances of baby koi as well as adult koi. To make your baby koi survive winter, first of all, you need to prevent your pond from freezing or becoming solid.

Though koi are known to be very hardy fish; still, cold water with freezing temperatures can kill them. After all, during winter, their immune system becomes very weak and their metabolism turns slower.

Plus, cold water temperature also makes the pond water unlivable by decreasing the oxygen levels and increasing the levels of ammonia, nitrate and carbon dioxide in water.

Therefore, koi can withstand a certain level of temperature drop, but after that, they start to suffer and eventually may die.

What is the ideal temperature for Koi?

The water temperature of your pond not only plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall pond water quality but also in ensuring that your koi survive and thrive. The ideal water temperature for a healthy koi ranges between 65 °F and 75 °F.

Koi fish can even withstand a water temperature as low as 35 °F to 32 °F. But once the temperature starts dropping below it i.e. the water starts to turn solid, external means are required to let the baby koi, as well as the big ones, survive the winter in outside ponds.

What happens to baby Koi during winter?

Many believe that Koi fish go to hibernation in winter. But, in reality, they do not technically hibernate but become sedentary during the winter months and go into a state that’s quite similar to hibernation.

As the water temperature drops, the activities of both the baby koi and adult koi gradually decrease. However, they don’t completely stop the movement. They move around in the water at the bottom of the pond just to keep their joints from freezing up.

Since the water temperature stays warmer at the bottom of the pond during winter, koi fish prefer to stay at the bottom, most of the time. We explain more about how koi behave in “hibernation” here.

What are the best ways to help baby koi survive in winter?

If rapidly cool wind, freezing water and dropping temperatures are in the forecast, then know that it’s time to start caring for your baby koi to make them survive the winter in outside ponds.

Let’s take a quick look at the various ways of ensuring the safety and good health of the baby koi during winter here:

Opt for indoor tanks

Set up a tank indoor, either in the garage or inside your house (since regular water tanks or aquariums aren’t big enough for adult koi but may serve the purpose for baby koi). Or simply create a pond inside and move your koi including the baby koi there to help them survive winter.

You can also consider covering your koi pond with a greenhouse or solar cover to prevent the impact of outside temperature drop. The video below shows a nice setup for koi fry during the winter.

We also recommend reading our articles on keeping koi in tanks below:

Use the necessary water heating equipment

If you plan to keep your baby koi outside in the pond, make sure to keep the water heaters on always, during winter and maintain a water temperature that is ideal for both your adult koi as well as your baby koi.

However, to make sure no disturbance is caused to your hibernating koi fish, stopping the water pump and water filters can be helpful.

If the region where you live tends to experience water freezing temperatures, then make it a point to always run air-pumps and de-icer in your outside pond to prevent the water surface from turning into ice completely.

Remember, keeping an opening on the pond surface is essential even if the rest of the pond water surface becomes frozen completely. The opening not only helps the various noxious gases such as carbon dioxide get out of the pond water but also lets the oxygen in the pond water.

A completely ice-sealed pond surface means limited oxygen supply for the koi which they may find not enough to survive till Spring arrives and the ice melts.

Stop feeding

Don’t feed the koi fish if the water temperature goes below 55 °F to 48 °F as the fish will find it difficult to digest since cold water makes their metabolism slower.

When the temperature falls to 64 °F or below it, if needed, opt for wheatgerm based cold water fish food that contains easy to digest ingredients in them.

Don’t let the water get toxic

To help the baby koi survive winter in your outside pond, it’s important to ensure that the pond water doesn’t become toxic.

Hence, remove the leaves of the garden plants and trees that fall in your pond and cause the production of nitrate and ammonia along with the consumption of oxygen from the pond water.

You can also put a net on your koi fish pond to prevent the leaves from falling in water as it may make the water murky and dark.

Consider partial water change

You can also try partial water change during the winter months as it can simply boost the pond water quality and make it free from toxic wastes accumulated during summer and more preferable for your Koi fish.

Since winter makes koi, especially the baby koi, more vulnerable to infections and disease due to their lower immune system, treating the pond water for parasites, bacterial infections etc. two months earlier before the temperature reaches 50 °F is strongly recommended.

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