Koi Pond Depth – What is the Ideal Depth of a Koi Fish Pond? Why do you make a Koi pond with a certain depth, for example 50 cm or 100 cm? What do you consider regarding the depth of the koi fish pond? Is it just a suggestion from your friends, fellow Koi fish keepers? Maybe you have also heard the information that “Koi fish need a deep pond to grow big”. Is it a myth or fact? Let’s review this article…
The Influence of Pond Water Depth on Koi Fish Behavior
Please note that if you build a Koi pond, determine the depth of the pond water according to the length of the Koi being kept. Small koi fish, or those measuring under 15 cm, don’t need deep pond water, just 50 cm is enough. In contrast to Koi fish which are large or over 50 cm in size, of course they require a deeper pond. This is different from Koi fry which must be kept in shallow or shallow ponds.
The growth rate of koi fish is closely related to the koi’s swimming activity and behavior. A little information about koi fish behavior as follows:
Fish Behavior
What makes Koi fish grow faster? One way is to look at his behavior. Koi fish that swim actively will grow faster, compared to those that move slowly or stay still. For this reason, sufficient space is needed.
Koi fish that tend to move quickly usually use their tail fins when swimming, while fish that move slowly usually use their pectoral fins and anal fins when swimming. The difference in fin use will affect the swimming speed and growth of the fish.
Koi fish swimming speed
1. Sustainable speed
Continuous swimming speed (sustainable speed) is the swimming speed of fish where the fish swims continuously without significant pressure.
2. Prolong Speed
Advanced swimming speed (prolong speed) is the swimming speed of fish where the fish swims in a state of maintaining stability and swimming endurance.
3. Maximum Speed
Maximum swimming speed (maximum speed) is the highest swimming speed that can be produced by a fish by providing a large current pressure while the fish produces a small amount of endurance.
4. Burst Speed
Surprised swimming speed (burst speed) is the swimming speed of the fish which is formed because the fish is shocked or jerked and occurs in a short time.
So the conclusion is that koi fish can grow optimally if they are in a container or pond with enough space to move around, so they can carry out all their activities.
Depth of koi pond
The thick base of the tail is a characteristic of what will become a Jumbo Koi
Tail as Prime Mover
As explained above, the swimming speed of Koi fish relies on the movement of its tail. The harder the tail wags, the faster the Koi swims. Koi which have a strong tail can certainly swim fast. The strength of a koi’s tail is indicated by the base of its tail or what is known as ‘Uzutsu’.
For this reason, to predict whether a Koi has the talent to be big (Jumbo) is to observe the base of its tail (uzutsu).
Usually Koi with thick ‘uzutsu’ will most likely grow into Jumbo Koi.
Vertical Swimming Movement
Another factor that can support Koi growth speed is vertical swimming activity. This vertical swimming movement usually occurs when the Koi fish is at the bottom of the pond, then suddenly you give it food, then the koi’s swimming movement from the bottom of the pond to the surface to get the food is done vertically quickly.
The movement of Koi in swimming vertically is what causes a reaction in the muscles and bones and will accelerate their growth. The more frequently a Koi swims vertically, the faster its body length will increase. This is the reason why the depth of the pond is very important so that Koi can swim vertically.
Also Read : Green Water Koi Pond
Pond depth according to koi size
1. Koi fry
For koi fish that have just hatched (fry) or are under 3 months old, they should be kept in a mud pond with a water depth of no more than 40 cm. Why is that?
The first is because Koi fish fry still do not have the physical ability to swim in deep water. As is known, the deeper the water, the greater the water pressure. For this reason, koi fry will not be able to swim in deep water.
The second reason is because the koi fry are in their growth period and need natural food, which is often found at the bottom of the pond. For this reason, the rearing pond for Koi fry should ideally be shallow or shallow, so that the fry can take natural food at the bottom of the pond.
2. Koi Tosai
Koi fish aged between 3 months to 1 year, are usually called ‘Tosai Koi’. During this time period, Koi fish experience very rapid growth. In just a few months, the size can increase by 10 – 20 cm. But the growth rate will slow down as the Koi ages, or in other words, the older the Koi, the slower the growth rate.
Then the question is “what is the ideal pond depth for Koi Tosai?”
Ideally, koi need a pond depth compared to the koi’s body length with a minimum ratio of 1: 3. For example, for a Tosai Koi with a length of 25 cm, the ideal pond depth is 75 cm.
3. Adult Koi
Adult koi, namely those that are over 1 year old but under 2 years old are called ‘Nisai’. While those aged 2-3 years are called ‘Sansai”. Koi aged between 3-4 years are called ‘Yonsai’ and those aged over 5 years are called ‘Gosai’. Adult koi usually have an average length of between 50 – 60 cm
The depth of the koi pond for adult Koi should be at least 2.5 – 3 times their body length. For example, if the Koi is 50 cm long, the ideal pond depth is 1.25 – 1.5 meters.
depth of koi pond
Jumbo Koi, more than 70 cm long
4. Jumbo Koi
Jumbo Koi is the name for Koi that are very large and long. Usually measuring over 70 cm. If you want to keep Jumbo Koi, ideally you need a pond with a koi pond depth of at least 2 or 3 meters.
As additional information, in Japan, Jumbo sized koi are kept in mud ponds which are quite large and resemble lakes with water depths of up to 4 – 5 meters.
So hopefully it’s useful..
Source : Written by : Doni Bastian @ GilaKoi
https://arsip.gilakoi.my.id/kedalaman-kolam-ikan-koi/
