Horse Trough

[Greg Rat]

I am just getting started (R&D) and would like to see my fish live at least a year before investing in a pool to pond reno. I am encouraged to see their growth after only 6 months (Deco Koi), but am concerned that I may be feeding them wrong. I have four fish (8" long) and feed them a hand full of food twice daily. Brilliant color and voracious feeders.

I am set up on my grape farm north of San Antonio where I have many empty horse troughs to keep fish. My other concerns are.. winter care and reproduction possibilities,

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our group! The fish you have now are they in the horse troughs? Koi make a lot of waste and need good water changes and filtration.

Winter care depends on how cold you get there. Reproduction, most likely they will give you kids.

 

[Greg Rat]

Yes, in trough since my purchase earlier this year. No filtration at all. Small trough about 100 gallons.

 

[Big Lou]

Welcome Greg

 

[mariobrothersleeve]

Welcome aboard.

 

[Greg Rat]

If they can survive under these conditions and in South Texas, I'll keep 'em.

 

[mtpond]

Welcome Greg!

 

[Big Lou]

Guess I'll have to quit using our trough for my weekly bath.

 

[addy1]

If they can survive under these conditions and in South Texas, I'll keep 'em.

They might they might not. If you have no filtrationwater changes, the ammonia levels will build up eventually killing the fish or making them ill. If you have no filtration then you would need to change out the water, an almost constant water turn over. If you are on city water then you need to worry about chlorine, if on a well, you need to check ph.

They may be ok with the temperature. You do not get as cold as we get.

 

[j.w]

Greg Rat

 

[dieselplower]

Hi Greg. It would be best to give smaller feeding many times a day if possible.
What are your reproduction concerns?
My fish live under ice for 4 months a year so I think they will be OK in Texas. Keep a hole open in the ice (if you get any) with an aerator or water pump to allow oxygen/gas exchange.