Many of us can attribute our love of fish of all kinds to the very first fish we cared for as a child, which probably was a common goldfish- in a classic goldfish bowl. As time progresses, many of us move on to other varieties and leave the goldfish as a fond memory of the past.
Why not encourage pond owners to consider revisiting that first influential goldfish? We are regularly asked if koi and goldfish can be pond mates, living and getting along in the same pond. There always seems to be both an interest and a hesitancy because of all the question and concerns. Here are some of the more common questions we receive on the subject, along with the answers we offer.
Can Goldfish Thrive in a Pond?
Yes. Goldfish are hardy fish that can tolerate a variety of conditions and are great candidates for your pond. In fact, goldfish have been kept in private ponds dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). They became so popular that during the Sang Dynasty (960–1279 CE), the empress restricted keeping gold/yellow goldfish, as that color was the imperial color.
The United States government gave away goldfish to residents of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore from 1884 to 1894. At the height of the program, the government gave away more than 20,000 fish per year. Note that we are not advocating giving them away! However, there has been a rich history here in the United States with goldfish.
On July 8, 2011, the Space Shuttle Atlantis took off on its final mission to space — Flight STS-135, a 12-day mission. Aboard the shuttle were Shubunkin goldfish eggs provided by Blackwater Creek Koi Farm. The purpose was to compare the development of eggs in microgravity (a weightless environment) to eggs developed on the ground in Earth’s normal gravity.
From historical China to the weightlessness of space, goldfish have thrived in almost any environment, and they most definitely can and will thrive in your customer’s koi pond.
Can Koi and Goldfish Be Pond Mates?
Yes. Here on our farm, we regularly keep koi and goldfish in ponds and holding tanks without any issue. As koi are larger and can be more aggressive during feeding time, we recommend goldfish varieties that can quickly navigate an active crowd of feeding fish. Otherwise, we see koi and goldfish as perfect pond mates.
The most important factor is to keep a well-maintained pond with adequate space and proper care. In this environment, koi and goldfish can happily thrive together.
Which Varieties of Goldfish Are Best?
We recommend goldfish that can grow up to at least 10 inches. As mentioned previously, an active and accomplished swimmer is best when navigating a crowd of koi during feeding time.
As their name implies, the common goldfish is probably the first goldfish many of us discover when we are young. These are hardy and can grow up to 12 inches. They come in various colors like orange, red, and white.
Comet goldfish are known for their long, flowing tails. They are active swimmers and can reach up to 12 inches in length. They are also quite hardy. The comet is often confused with the common goldfish; however, comet goldfish have longer fins and a shorter, slender body size with a tracing tail — hence, the name “comet.”
Shubunkin, which roughly translates to “red brocade” in Japanese, are similar to common goldfish and comets, but with the characteristic calico color pattern. Like all calico-colored goldfish, Shubunkin have clear, nacreous scales. While a metallic-scale goldfish has color pigments embedded in the scale itself, nacreous-scale goldfish have pigment in the skin below. Color is seen through the clear scales. Black pigment lying deep within the skin appears blue to our eye. Ideally, a Shubunkin has a bluish background topped with markings of red, orange, yellow or brown, plus black spots. They can typically reach between 10 to 12 inches and are active swimmers.
Blackwater Creek was the first American koi farm to commercially produce Wakins. We fell in love with these fish while we trained in Japan. The Wakin goldfish has an elongated body style with only slight compression, and they have a short double-tail. The beautiful and hard-to-find Wakin can grow up to 10 inches, and they do wonderfully in aquariums and ponds. The original colors are red, white or a combination of red and white. We’ve also been successfully producing a few calico Wakins as well.
Watonai are amazing goldfish that have the long, slender body of the Wakin, but with a much larger tail that spreads horizontally. The width of the tail fin can equal the length of the entire body; however, they have broader, more elegant tail fins. Watonai were developed by crossing a Wakin with a Ryukin in the early 20th century. Even with the flamboyant tail, the Watonai is a hardy variety that does well and can overwinter in an outdoor pond or water garden. They move a little more slowly than Wakin, Shubunkin and comets. They can get fairly large, but the maximum body length is just slightly smaller than these other hardy varieties. Some consider Watonai the ultimate hardy goldfish, as they have good cold tolerance, a fairly large size and a broad flowing tail that makes for an attractive display. They can grow up to 10 inches.
We developed the Sanke Gold in 2011 after over a decade of trials! These remarkable goldfish were developed as an alternative to koi that allows people to keep and enjoy some spectacular fish in a small space, such as a patio pond or an aquarium. Our Sanke Gold have the patterns and colors of a Sanke koi and will grow up to 10 to 12 inches long. They typically have a white base color with large, blocky spots of bright red and inky black.
Finally, we developed our Black Opal Shubunkins at around the same time as our Sanke Gold. These striking goldfish have various markings of ebony black against a powder-blue background. Their patterns change as they grow and typically continually improve with age. The fish will grow to be up to 10 to 12 inches long.
Do Goldfish Need Special Care?
No, not at all. A pond environment that is suitable for koi is also perfect for goldfish. Goldfish can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, and common goldfish do best in water that’s 60° to 70°F. Goldfish can survive in bodies of water with little to no oxygen for up to five months. Goldfish can survive in ponds that freeze solid during the winter if there’s some room beneath the ice. Both koi and goldfish produce waste, which can affect water quality. A good filtration system is essential to maintain a healthy environment. Regularly monitor water parameters like pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels to ensure a happy pond.
Do Goldfish Need Special Food?
Koi and goldfish do have slightly different dietary needs. Goldfish are willing to eat almost anything and, in general, are more herbivorous. Koi prefer a more protein-rich diet. Ensure you provide a balanced diet that meets the nutritional needs of both types of fish. Consider using a smaller-sized floating pellet for your goldfish, and if you notice your goldfish are being outcompeted by your koi, consider feeding in different locations or using a sinking fish food that gives everyone a chance during feeding time.
So, should your customers consider adding goldfish to their pond collection? We say emphatically yes! One of the biggest debates we have is which species we love the most. I will just say that nothing empties out our office more quickly than when our Farm Team brings up a new batch of goldfish from a grow-out pond for everyone to see.
We actively encourage our customers to consider including goldfish in their pond, and we believe that our passion for goldfish should be shared by all pond owners. Considering their rich history, hardiness and beauty, we believe goldfish are a great addition to any pond!
Read more about goldfish here.
