langland

i have a 214 litre (56 gallon) aquarium with 4 koi around 4 inches in it. They have been living in this tank for almost 2 years and have not grown much. i was wondering if i can get them a new home if they grow too big for this tank and i also have a REN08 RENA FILTER XP3.

fish_newbie

Hi, welcome to FishLore. Koi are too big for almost any tank, they really need a pond of 1000G+ to live in. The fact that they isn't growing is a sign that they are being stunt, the environment that they are in doesn't allow them to grow any further. I'm sorry to tell you this but you are gonna have to do some serious thinking about what is happening to them. Even a 120G would still be too small them to grow to maximum size.

aquarist48

to Fish Lore Langland. I have to agree that Koi should really go into large out door ponds. Here is a link concerning Koi with threads and posts from other members that you may find helpful.

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/koi/

Best of luck and enjoy the site. Lots of great information here and friendly people.
Ken
One more: http://blog.fishlore.com/koi-profile-15.htm

langland

hi thanks for the replies could i only move them to a new home only if they get big? im not desperate to get them really huge.

Because they are not really that big yet only just 4 inches. im just asking if i can move them if they grow too big for their tank and keep raising them in this tank.

I merged your two threads. Just to let you know you can use the edit key at the bottom of every post for corrections and add on posts. (helps to save space on the web)
Thanks!
Ken

Time

IMO it would be better to have them in an outdoor pond right away instead of raising them in a tank.

aquarist48

Hello Langland. Do the best that you can do for them right now. If you need to leave them in your aquarium for now then do it. However, if they are not moved into a larger home in the not too distant future, their growth will be stunted and their life span shortened. They won't have the chance to reach their full potential. You mentioned that you are not desperate to get them really huge, keeping them in a home that is too small will only keep them from getting huge because they won't survive.

Best of luck for you and your fish whatever you decide.
Ken

Butterfly

Fish in tanks that are smaller than they need are not just small for their age they are most likely stunting. Koi are one of the messiest fish out there and waste accumulation can lead to disease and death. This can also lead to stunting or slow growth. Until you can get them larger accomodations they need at least 2 x weekly 50% water changes. Do they best that you can but know they need more space soon.
Carol

iloveengl

According to this site http://www.coloradokoi.com/koisize.htm, koi should be growing at a rate of about 1 inch per month. That your koi are only 4 inches long after two years is a good indication of an unhealthy environment (i.e. small tank & poor water conditions caused by fish waste). You may want to consider selling your koi or giving them to a pet store for credit if you are unable to house them in an outdoor pond; though, that's all simply my opinion. Best of wishes in whatever you decide.

Time

Sometimes you just have to do what is right for yout fish and give them a better home. It is tough finding a home or letting go sometimes but it is what is right. You wouldn't want a growth stunted fish would you? It would die eventually if you don't give it the space it needs. 4 inches is a lot compared to some of the fish I have so I would have given them a home immediately. Maybe you could do goldfish like comets I am not sure though.

whisper

The lack of growth is not the environment they are it. It's the feeding. Koi should never be kept in a tank. These animals are strictly for ponds. In a pond they will grow very fast. We have 3 Koi in our pond. They are all only 1 1/2 yrs old and measure 19". We feed them floating pellets almost every time one of us goes outside. The pond is right off our back deck where we can sit right there and watch and feed them. With five of us they are very well fed and healthy. PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE dig a pond or get rid of them...Sorry if I sound harsh I don't mean to.

langland

ok thanks for eveyones replies i will get them a new home as soon as possible

Time

Good choice. I am digging a pond next year for gold fish because it will be too small for koi. Do you see how bad it is. They should really have 1000 gallons.