Do Koi Fish and Gold Fish Get Along in the Same Pond?

This is a question we get a lot with new pond owners who are just getting their feet wet. What pond fish cohabit well and what pond fish species should we not put together?

Pond Fish for Sale in Lebanon Pa

At our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes sells ONLY pond fish that will over-winter well and will successfully cohabit together. We do this to reduce confusion or any misunderstanding. Our most popular fish, the koi fish, we sell from 3"-12" in size from late April-September. We also sell 3"-4" comet goldfish, 3"-4" shubunkin goldfish, 5" golden orfe fish, and 5" pond sharks seasonally. All of these pond fish get along great together in the pond no matter the difference in actual fish size.

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Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish are a very tricky fish to try to successfully keep with other pond fish in a backyard water garden in Pennsylvania because they will put their mouths over anything they can get them on. Often times, they suck the eyeballs off of weaker fish in the pond. We've always told customers that as long as the catfish is smaller than your other fish, it should be okay to have them in your pond. Eventually, however, that catfish will grow and may be problematic for baby fish or small fish that you introduce in later years.

Trout

While trout are a cold-water fish, we still often get inquires about adding them to backyard ponds in Central Pennsylvania. Trout need to live in a spring-fed body of water in order to maintain water temperatures suitable to survive.

Fish Personality

A few misconceptions about cohabitation lies in the misunderstanding of fish personality traits.
--In the Spring, you may notice fish aggressively pushing up against each other and rocks, sometimes enough to leave marks on the fish. This is common activity observed when fish are mating. Shortly after, you may find was appear to be foam, or soap bubbles, covering the pond.
--New fish added to the pond often take some time to get familiar with their surroundings before they either stop hiding or become as personable as your older fish. If you're noticing your fish hiding and acting differently than normal and they haven't been added to the point more recently, consider your water balance or if you may have had a predator lurking.
--You may still have a bully fish that is not attributed to their species. Every so often we hear of clients have a territorial fish that seem to bully the other fish. Generally speaking, this is not a common personality trait, however, it is possible!
--Some fish, like pond sharks, are not personable fish and they always hang out on the bottom or sides of the pond (on their own) eating algae all day. 

So Now What??

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]

Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA