I have a 3500 gallon pond with 1 very large albino catfish and 2 medium size Koi, which all were raised in the pond together. I have 2 new 4" Koi in quarantine which I want to add to my pond but was concerned if the catfish will eat them ... any thoughts
Adding new Koi
- Thread starter SweeTee
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j.w
I Love my Goldies
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My catfish "casper" is approximately 20 inches long.
I have channel catfish that is about 2’ long and it is in my pond with all kinds of little fish it could suck down no problem. It ignores all of them, have to admit I was hoping it would help with population control but nope.
Bottom line It probably could eat them, but if it is well fed it will probably leave them alone.
Bottom line It probably could eat them, but if it is well fed it will probably leave them alone.
That’s a good reason to give away the cat fish. Cat Fish and koi is not a combination.
L
Lin
In the book I have, it says not to have native and domestic fish together. Part of the reason it creates the inability to fight off disease.
Native and domestic fish kept to gather doesn’t create an inability to fight off disease. It exposes both fish to diseases they may not have an immunity to, but you take that chance introducing new fish in general to your pond depending on who you get them from.
The biggest problem mixing native fish with koi and gold fish is the natives are exposed to diseases they would not come in contact with in nature. Then many end up releasing the native fish back into the wild thinking its no big deal. In most states/countries it is illegal to release any fish into the wild once it is introduced into a pond or aquarium setting.
The biggest problem mixing native fish with koi and gold fish is the natives are exposed to diseases they would not come in contact with in nature. Then many end up releasing the native fish back into the wild thinking its no big deal. In most states/countries it is illegal to release any fish into the wild once it is introduced into a pond or aquarium setting.
Disagree with the last statement there is no harm in keeping them together. Been mixed together in my ponds for over a decade without issue.
L
Lin
That Book! Bummer! I was flooded out in 2011 and all my Koi and Goldfish washed away. A Channel Catfish ended up in my pond so I did not restock. He died after a couple of years, unknown cause. He looked healthy. I hope he didn't die because he was lonely. He was the only fish I had in there because of that book.
Nope there are alot of fry and juvenile koi, goldfish and orfes in the pond, the catfish could suck them down like lifesavers. However, it doesn’t maybe it’s just lazy. The little guys are swimming around right next to the catfish like they are buddies or something. Also, have 6 Diamondback terrapins in the pond, they ignore the fish as well. I would take either one eating the little guys, I don’t need my pond to get overpopulated. Honestly, I didnt expect much out of the turtles because in a large pond they have zero shot of catching a healthy fish no matter the size. Had hopes for the catfish, but whatever he can stay even if it doesn’t do it’s intended job.
Well, you have one well behaved cat fish... 