Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

Hi Everyone,

Every so often I see people post asking for the rule of thumb to
stocking fish. Usually the response is 1,000 for the first koi and 100
gallons for each additional koi. One has to wonder why the first koi is
hogging up 1,000 gallons while each additional koi needs only 100 to be
happy. Most people assume that this has to do with nutrient loading of the
water which is and isn't true.

In the aquarium world the rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon. It's
possible with the use of a fluidizer and big filter to get 12 inches per
fish per gallon. This 12 inches of fish per gallon is also achieved in some
fish hatcheries. It'd be possible to get a 12 koi to live in 1 gallon of
water.

I raise alligator gars. One thing I can say is that there sure isn't much
fish but they sure are long. One of my gars could live in a 5 gallon tank...
but he wouldn't be able to turn around. Instead he lives in a 75 gallon
tank.

When you hear "1,000 gallons for the first koi and 100 gallons for each
additional koi", what you should really hear is, "You need 1,000 gallons for
all of your koi to be able to turn and move around and swim. You need 100
gallons of water for each koi to deplete their nutrient load and limit the
size of your filter to something manageable".

Sam

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

If I read you right, then you are saying that the minimum size of a pond for
ease of movement of the fish is a 1000 gallons? Does dimension of the pond
as to the 1000 gallon then come into effect?

To follow up with the 100 gallons per fish will, are you then suggesting
that for your 1000 gallon minimum pond one can keep 10 Koi to start with,
and add one Koi for every 100 gallons added to the pond? For example the
old rule will yield 11 fish for a 2000 gallon pond, while my understanding
of your statement will suggest that 2000 gallons will hold 20 Koi.

I am sooooooooo confused

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"Sam Hopkins" wrote in message
.. .
Hi Everyone,

Every so often I see people post asking for the rule of thumb
to
stocking fish. Usually the response is 1,000 for the first koi and 100
gallons for each additional koi. One has to wonder why the first koi is
hogging up 1,000 gallons while each additional koi needs only 100 to be
happy. Most people assume that this has to do with nutrient loading of the
water which is and isn't true.

In the aquarium world the rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon. It's
possible with the use of a fluidizer and big filter to get 12 inches per
fish per gallon. This 12 inches of fish per gallon is also achieved in
some
fish hatcheries. It'd be possible to get a 12 koi to live in 1 gallon of
water.

I raise alligator gars. One thing I can say is that there sure isn't much
fish but they sure are long. One of my gars could live in a 5 gallon
tank...
but he wouldn't be able to turn around. Instead he lives in a 75 gallon
tank.

When you hear "1,000 gallons for the first koi and 100 gallons for each
additional koi", what you should really hear is, "You need 1,000 gallons
for
all of your koi to be able to turn and move around and swim. You need 100
gallons of water for each koi to deplete their nutrient load and limit the
size of your filter to something manageable".

Sam

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

Just Me \"Koi\" wrote:
If I read you right, then you are saying that the minimum size of a pond for
ease of movement of the fish is a 1000 gallons? Does dimension of the pond
as to the 1000 gallon then come into effect?

To follow up with the 100 gallons per fish will, are you then suggesting
that for your 1000 gallon minimum pond one can keep 10 Koi to start with,
and add one Koi for every 100 gallons added to the pond? For example the
old rule will yield 11 fish for a 2000 gallon pond, while my understanding
of your statement will suggest that 2000 gallons will hold 20 Koi.

I am sooooooooo confused

--
the way I understand it as Koi like to swim they need the 1000 as a
base just to give em the space they need to exercise
the 100 g per fish rule is to help aleviate their byproducts and keep
the amonia nitrite levels manageable with minimal filtration

so for your 2000 gal example you should only have 19 Koi


as many of us have added massive filter systems of one type or another
to process the fish poo amonia nitrite nitrate we have/can add more
fish than that and push our systems to the max.

Problem with that is when something goes wrong you stand a great chance
of losing every fish in the pond

John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico

good judgement comes from bad experience, and that comes from bad
judgement

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

As long as you have a free movement pond dimensions don't matter. Now if you
had a pond that was 100 feet long and 1 foot wide then yeah dimensions
matter.

As for your second question can 1000 gallons hold 10 Koi? Yeah. But with
2000 gallons your nutierent level will rise half as fast, 3000 gallons it'll
raise 1/3 as fast. So the more water you add the lazier you can be.

Sam


"Just Me "Koi"" wrote in message
...
If I read you right, then you are saying that the minimum size of a pond
for
ease of movement of the fish is a 1000 gallons? Does dimension of the
pond
as to the 1000 gallon then come into effect?

To follow up with the 100 gallons per fish will, are you then suggesting
that for your 1000 gallon minimum pond one can keep 10 Koi to start with,
and add one Koi for every 100 gallons added to the pond? For example the
old rule will yield 11 fish for a 2000 gallon pond, while my understanding
of your statement will suggest that 2000 gallons will hold 20 Koi.

I am sooooooooo confused

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"Sam Hopkins" wrote in message
.. .
Hi Everyone,

Every so often I see people post asking for the rule of
thumb
to
stocking fish. Usually the response is 1,000 for the first koi and 100
gallons for each additional koi. One has to wonder why the first koi is
hogging up 1,000 gallons while each additional koi needs only 100 to be
happy. Most people assume that this has to do with nutrient loading of
the
water which is and isn't true.

In the aquarium world the rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon.
It's
possible with the use of a fluidizer and big filter to get 12 inches per
fish per gallon. This 12 inches of fish per gallon is also achieved in
some
fish hatcheries. It'd be possible to get a 12 koi to live in 1 gallon of
water.

I raise alligator gars. One thing I can say is that there sure isn't
much
fish but they sure are long. One of my gars could live in a 5 gallon
tank...
but he wouldn't be able to turn around. Instead he lives in a 75 gallon
tank.

When you hear "1,000 gallons for the first koi and 100 gallons for each
additional koi", what you should really hear is, "You need 1,000 gallons
for
all of your koi to be able to turn and move around and swim. You need
100
gallons of water for each koi to deplete their nutrient load and limit
the
size of your filter to something manageable".

Sam

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

"Sam Hopkins" wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Every so often I see people post asking for the rule of thumb to
stocking fish. Usually the response is 1,000 for the first koi and 100
gallons for each additional koi. One has to wonder why the first koi is
hogging up 1,000 gallons while each additional koi needs only 100 to be
happy.

What is needed is some more pictures, and "vitals" of full grown koi.

People don't realize just how big a koi gets, they are large animals.

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

thumb tostocking fish. Usually the response is 1,000 for the first koi and
100
gallons for each additional koi. One has to wonder why the first koi
ishogging up 1,000 gallons while each additional koi needs only 100 to
behappy. What is needed is some more pictures, and "vitals" of full grown
koi. People don't realize just how big a koi gets, they are large animals.

I have 14 koi that range in size from 5 inces...last years babies....to over 25
inches actually I think 2 are closer to 30 inches both females and spawnig for
the last 2 years....about 6 years old. Actually there are only 3 babies....the
rest of the fish are all over 18 inches. I think if you followed the rule and
had 10 koi that would be about 5 to many for a 2,000 gallon pond. Befor the
heron visited last year I had 19 koi in 15.000 gallons. I do not run good
filters like every one else, but I still think they deserve the room....sort of
like keeping a dog on a chain in a small yard....they deserve better, they are
pets after all Jerri

http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/JerrisPond

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

"Just Me "Koi"" wrote in message
...
If I read you right, then you are saying that the minimum size of a pond
for
ease of movement of the fish is a 1000 gallons? Does dimension of the
pond
as to the 1000 gallon then come into effect?

To follow up with the 100 gallons per fish will, are you then suggesting
that for your 1000 gallon minimum pond one can keep 10 Koi to start with,
and add one Koi for every 100 gallons added to the pond? For example the
old rule will yield 11 fish for a 2000 gallon pond, while my understanding
of your statement will suggest that 2000 gallons will hold 20 Koi.

I am sooooooooo confused
snip

Here is my understanding of this ancient Chinese secret:

1 Koi = 1000 Gallons
2 Koi = 1100 Gallons
3 Koi = 1200 Gallons
4 Koi = 1300 Gallons
5 Koi = 1500 Gallons
..
..
..10 Koi = 3000 Gallons

Of course there are numerous PORG's with ratios different this, and they are
very successfull.
BV.

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

Just Me \"Koi\" wrote:
If I read you right, then you are saying that the minimum size of a pond for
ease of movement of the fish is a 1000 gallons? Does dimension of the pond
as to the 1000 gallon then come into effect?

To follow up with the 100 gallons per fish will, are you then suggesting
that for your 1000 gallon minimum pond one can keep 10 Koi to start with,
and add one Koi for every 100 gallons added to the pond? For example the
old rule will yield 11 fish for a 2000 gallon pond, while my understanding
of your statement will suggest that 2000 gallons will hold 20 Koi.

I am sooooooooo confused

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"Sam Hopkins" wrote in message
.. .

Hi Everyone,

Every so often I see people post asking for the rule of thumb

to

stocking fish. Usually the response is 1,000 for the first koi and 100
gallons for each additional koi. One has to wonder why the first koi is
hogging up 1,000 gallons while each additional koi needs only 100 to be
happy. Most people assume that this has to do with nutrient loading of the
water which is and isn't true.

In the aquarium world the rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon. It's
possible with the use of a fluidizer and big filter to get 12 inches per
fish per gallon. This 12 inches of fish per gallon is also achieved in

some

fish hatcheries. It'd be possible to get a 12 koi to live in 1 gallon of
water.

I raise alligator gars. One thing I can say is that there sure isn't much
fish but they sure are long. One of my gars could live in a 5 gallon

tank...

but he wouldn't be able to turn around. Instead he lives in a 75 gallon
tank.

When you hear "1,000 gallons for the first koi and 100 gallons for each
additional koi", what you should really hear is, "You need 1,000 gallons

for

all of your koi to be able to turn and move around and swim. You need 100
gallons of water for each koi to deplete their nutrient load and limit the
size of your filter to something manageable".

Sam






It is 1,000 gallon for the first koi and 100 gallons for
each additional koi. So for a 2,000 gallon pond you could
have eleven fish. Also one of the reasons is that the fish
need this much room to excerise all their muscles so that
they develop properly.

--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

You read any article in any mainstream gardening magazine and your teeth could
be gnashed to the nubbins.
Article usually says to dig a hole, fill it with water and toss in living
jewels, the koi.
NOTHING about filtering, proper pond size, oxygen needs, dechlor, introducing
fish safely.
Drives me nuts!



k30a

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

K30a wrote:
You read any article in any mainstream gardening magazine and your teeth could
be gnashed to the nubbins.
Article usually says to dig a hole, fill it with water and toss in living
jewels, the koi.
NOTHING about filtering, proper pond size, oxygen needs, dechlor, introducing
fish safely.
Drives me nuts!



k30a

And when the fish are floating a day or two later they
don't understand what happened.

--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

for tropicals, this is true. for goldfish, it is not because goldfish get
big and wide, and they are poop machines. i've had aquariums with goldfish
for years.
mad
--
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog
it's too dark to read."
Groucho Marx

From: "Sam Hopkins"
Organization: Marconi
Newsgroups: rec.ponds
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 09:43:39 -0400
Subject: Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation

In the aquarium world the rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon.



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Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

You read any article in any mainstream gardening magazine and your teeth
could be gnashed to the nubbins.
Article usually says to dig a hole, fill it with water and toss in living
jewels, the koi. NOTHING about filtering, proper pond size, oxygen needs,
dechlor,
introducing

Well see you NEED to go back to writing...I loved yiour articles....Jerri

http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/JerrisPond

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

Thanks Jerri :-)
I'm working on a pond predator article
and the wild pond *thing*.


k30a

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

"Jerrispond" wrote in message
...
People don't realize just how big a koi gets, they are large animals.

but I still think they deserve the room....sort of
like keeping a dog on a chain in a small yard....they deserve better, they
are
pets after all Jerri


http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/JerrisPond

Too True. My parents had a Koi pond installed at their place about 6 yrs
ago. I learned all I could about Koi and ponding first so that I could teach
them and share the hobby with them. The pond is 3.5 ft deep at one end,
about 1.5 ft deep at shallow, about 6 ft across and 10 ft long, approx 1400
gal, concrete lined, professionally installed with sand filter, bottom
drain, water fall, top/bottom skimmers. I mention this because while the
water quality in the pond is very good, I now feel we have too many large
fish for the size of the pond. We have 6 full size and 4 young ones as well
as about 6 fancy goldfish. They all like to hang out in a group and most
seem fine with the space but one Koi in particular is approx 2ft long and I
can tell he would like more room to swim. I removed 11 goldfish from the
pond a couple months ago and they all seem calmer because of it. I intend to
remove a couple more goldfish and 3 of the young koi. If I had it to do
again, I would have less fish. I stopped going on local pond tours as I
would see one overstocked pond after another or a tiny fountain pond with
small koi in it and cringe knowing what life is going to be like for those
poor fish.
Sandra

Rule of thumb for fish stocking explanation
 

they toss in the fish, fish start dying and blame the liner!!!!
Ingrid