Koi in a 180 gallon aquarium

[swervo513]

I have been keeping south american cichlids for a while now and am wanting to try something new. I was interested in the captivating beauty of the Japanese Koi. Would I be able to keep koi in a 180 gallon tank? How many can I keep and how long can I keep them if I buy them small? What are my options?

Thanks
Larry

 

[Chizzle]

I have been keeping south american cichlids for a while now and am wanting to try something new. I was interested in the captivating beauty of the Japanese Koi. Would I be able to keep koi in a 180 gallon tank? How many can I keep and how long can I keep them if I buy them small? What are my options?

Thanks
Larry

You could keep them in a 180 gallon tank, but they would be much better off in a pond. I love Koi as well and have plans on building an above ground pond out of 2x4s and pond liner this summer.

 

[Smurfishy]

I have been keeping south american cichlids for a while now and am wanting to try something new. I was interested in the captivating beauty of the Japanese Koi. Would I be able to keep koi in a 180 gallon tank? How many can I keep and how long can I keep them if I buy them small? What are my options?

Thanks
Larry

My boyfriend got a small koi recently and from the advice I got on other forums was that a koi should have 500 gallons minimum per fish with 1000 gallons just to start. Although 1 consensus from someone who actually had ponds was that it was ok for me to keep the one for a year in a 300g pond but afterwards it would have to be upgraded to a larger pond as its growth would be rapid over the period of 3 years. So in short no, not unless you want to severely stunt growth which is inhumane. They create amazing amounts of waste and get to be over 2 feet and up to 17 pounds which is why they need lots of space.

Here are some links about it:
http://www.onwatergarden.com/articles/measure02.htm

 

[swervo513]

Thanks for replies

 

[swervo513]

Any other opinions/thoughts/knowledge/experience is appreciated.

 

[Slippery K]

I had asimilar thread about this before, decided againt it as they tend to grow too big too fast plus their pooping machines.

 

[fatboy8]

I kept a few real small 1-3 inchers in a 55 until they grew it out and they were placed in a pond I had zero problems with them.

 

[Chub_by]

I have some in a 4000 gallon pond and looking at them ( very small,biggest is 1 foot) I wouldn't recommend anything under 2000 gallons

 

[Moneypit]

They will get big fast and overwhelm your filtration, these went from 7-10" to over 30" in about 3 years.

 

[aldiaz33]

I agree with others...koi are best suited for ponds. A 180 might be ok for a baby Koi for 1 year, but it will outgrow that tank for sure. How about looking into some Sarasa Comets or Shubunkins? I've seen some that are 16", but I think 12" is a more common max size....much better for a 180G.

I don't really like the idea of "upgrading when the time comes." Life happens and things change. Why not just get something you can keep for life in the tank you already have?