Koi Tank Advice?

[Jeknightica]

Hi, guys! Koi are my favourite fishies, and I'd love to have a little tank of them. I used to have two of them in a ten gallon, and I loved them. I was stupid and let their nitrate get way too high, and they died. I've learned a lot since then, and a reeeally don't want to make the same mistake again. So, I thought that I'd ask you guys if you think that having three two-inch koi in a fifteen gallon would be okay. It's a column tank that's about two feet high and a foot wide. It's not a permanent home because I'm hoping to save up money for an indoor pond or a much bigger tank a few years down the line. I don't plan on having any more fish or tank mates for them, just the three of them. What do you guys think?

 

[nirbhao]

Koi as in carp or as in the breed of betta?

Koi truly do best in ponds. They are big, beautiful fish who live for decades.

 

[Jeknightica]

Koi as in carp or as in the breed of betta?

Koi truly do best in ponds. They are big, beautiful fish who live for decades.

The koi carp, sorry. ^ ^

 

[bribo12]

IKoi get almost 36" long. They're not aquarium fish. Definitely don't belong in a 15 tall

 

[Jeknightica]

IKoi get almost 36" long. They're not aquarium fish. Definitely don't belong in a 15 tall

I've only ever seen them get that big in huge ponds. I'm not arguing with you, but I don't think they'll get dragon-sized in a fifteen. The tank isn't permanent either.

 

[bribo12]

Fish growth gets stunted in small tanks and thus they don't grow, yes. However this negatively affects their health and lifespan and can leave them stunted for life. Not a very humane practice. They also grow quite quickly.

 

[Jeknightica]

Fish growth gets stunted in small tanks and thus they don't grow, yes. However this negatively affects their health and lifespan and can leave them stunted for life. Not a very humane practice. They also grow quite quickly.

Really? I didn't know that would make them unhealthy. I definitely don't wanna hurt them.

 

[Andy Sager]

Even a small koi should be kept in a long tank. They are swimmers and roamers and confining them to a small area is not really in their best interest.
As for size, they get huge. My late neighbor was a koi farmer and his 3 year old breeders were all over 24" long and that was while being raised in 14' diameter pools. If you haven't seen them that big in a large pond, you must have been looking at stunted fish or fish with some abnormality. Go find a koi show and attend and you'll see some of the biggies on display. Your jaw will drop.

 

[nirbhao]

check out these beauties

 

[Jeknightica]

They're so gorgeous! [emoji7] I volunteer at a pet shop a lot, and they have a solid black koi. He's not shiny either, he's shadowy matt black. Yeah, I think that I'll save up for a huge pond instead of putting them in a little tank. Thanks for the help, you guys, I really appreciate it! :3

 

[Meesh]

A koi pond is on my wish list for when I retire and move to a better climate for them!! I actually have a koi tattoo on my forearm!

 

[Jeknightica]

A koi pond is on my wish list for when I retire and move to a better climate for them!! I actually have a koi tattoo on my forearm!

That's so cool! Do you have a pic of it? :J

 

[Meesh]

Been trying to post one but just won't go for some reason

 

[Jeknightica]

Been trying to post one but just won't go for some reason

Yeah, pictures are really weird on here. :/