Tired of your pond plants being feasted on by your koi? We know how frustrating it is to lose your favorite waterlilies to the appetite of your fish. What’s a water gardener to do? Not to worry, we assure you it is possible for your koi and plants to live in harmony!

Start by ensuring your water garden has the correct koi-stocking density. Too many koi in one pond will create competition, especially for food. Koi at the bottom of the totem pole have nowhere else to turn except pond plants when they’re hungry.

How many koi pond fish can my pond hold?

A general rule of thumb is to have no more than one inch of fish per 10 gallons of water. For example, a 1,500 gallon pond can hold up to 150 inches of fish, roughly 5 koi. If you have bought small fish, it is important to keep in mind that they are going to get bigger. When choosing fish for your pond, base your decisions on how big they are estimated to grow. You risk plant health and water clarity if there isn’t enough room for your koi. Not to mention the fish will suffer due to the stressful living conditions.

Still losing plants?

Have the correct koi-stocking density but still losing plants to your fish? You might need to increase how much food you’re providing. If your koi pond fish are well fed, they won’t eat many plants. Although they love dining on your favorite waterlily, they prefer koi food even more. Given the choice between a pelleted food and green vegetation, they’ll opt for the taste and high-energy of a pelleted food. Feed your fish once or twice a day for five to seven minutes at a time and they’ll be satisfied enough to steer clear of your plants.

Use the size of your fish’s pupils (the black part of the eye) as a reference for pellet size when choosing fish food. Toss in a few pellets at a time over the course of 5-7 minutes. Don’t throw more than your fish can handle. Excess pellets will get caught in your skimmer and decay which damages your pond’s water quality. This is why it’s preferable to toss in a few food pellets at a time, as opposed to a large handful.

Living in Harmony

It’s important that your plants and fish live harmoniously in your pond. When the two work together, your pond becomes cleaner, healthier, and easier to maintain. Pond plants offer coverage from predators, reduce nitrates, and oxygenate the water during the day. And plants like water hyacinths remove toxins better than any chemical absorbent. Remember, one inch of fish per 10 gallons of water and keep your koi well fed. You’ll find that koi and aquatic plants can live in peace, providing you with hours of water gardening enjoyment. Contact us for more information or to build or renovate the pond of your dreams.