Need 2 Make Room For Koi Pair

[Klair Vouyant]

A friend gave me a nice pair of koi about four inches long. I don't know what I was thinking...I HAVE NO ROOM INDOORS and they cannot go into the 2000-gallon pond until the spring. My 55-gallon has an Oscar, 2 Parrots, and a Pleco, no room in this one. My 29-gallon hex tall...NO WAY!! My 25-gallon...that works okay but the tank is being prepared for shell-dwellers and the koi made a heck of a mess in there. My 10-gallon is where they are now, the angel and 2 tiger barbs are now inhabiting the 29 hex. Needless to say the 10-gallon is a mess. I have shifted fish and tanks for the past three weeks. I have come to the conclusion that I need a new space for them. I have a 55-gallon that is in the process of having a leak fixed, and that is one option. The other is building a small indoor pond perhaps 4'Lx3'Wx2'D either fiberglassed for EPDM liner. I have a small sand pool filter that was used perhaps for two weeks. Can I make this work for my filter on the indoor pond somehow. I need some information quick these koi are becoming a handful and I just want them happy!!

Klair

[aquariumfishguy]

Sorry for the delayed response and I'm sorry your post went unanswered for so long...

The 10 gallon is far to small for these fish. In nature (outdoor ponds, etc.) these Koi need about 100 gallons a piece. The fish could make do in a 55 gallon just for the winter but eventually, they are going to need a pond of some sort.

If an aquarium isn't available for occupation soon, you could always go get a $5 rubbermaid container and stick them in there as a last resort. I am afraid that if they are kept in the 10 gallon for much longer, they could become stunted and die off. :(

[aquariumfishguy]

Oh yeah, almost forgot:

They are going to need a good filtration system, regardless of what they are kept in. I recommend going out to buy an aquaclear 500 if they are going into the 55 gallon tank. An airstone for increased aeration wouldn't hurt either, financially permitting of course! :)