is it time to rehome these fish to a pond

[diavids]

good morning.
opinions wanted. i have a 90 gal tank that i have a 8in (not counting fins, this fish is just beautiful) Shubunkin, a koi that is about the same size (i rescued the koi last year, it has a slightly crooked mouth), also in the tank is a fancy and a small school of white clouds. now i feel that the koi and the shubunkin have outgrown this tank and would do better in a pond. i can't do a pond where i'm living and i don't have room or the money to buy a large enough tank that these fish would really need. The reason i'm posting here is that i'm having trouble convincing my husband as he has gotten attached to these fish so would love to hear what other experienced goldfish/koi owners think. Maybe i'm jumping the gun, do you think the fish would be fine for a while yet, or should i consider looking around for a new home for them soon. if i do rehome the large fish i'm thinking about moving the fancy and white clouds into the 40 i have, would a 40 gal be large enough for a couple fancy's with the white clouds? thanks for listening, i'm glad i rescued the koi as it was in a bad situation, but i feel bad that i can't keep him long term.  another question, how warm should be be outdoors to move them to a pool. we've been having a early spring but it has gotten down to 2c at night and these fish are used to warmer temperatures. dianne

[SeaWitch]

In my opinion, single tails should never be kept with fancies and yes, they need a bigger home asap.  As for the 40g, you really should not have more than two fancies at the most in there because they grow quickly and will soon need all that room.  If you overstock it now, then later on, you will need a bigger tank for them.  Good luck to you!!!

[zookey]

I would have to agree with Nickie... the sooner you find a larger tank/pond for the shubunkin and koi the better off for them.  I am not sure how warm it needs to be before you could move them to a pond as the temps are definitely not stable yet this year and the fish are used to warmer waters.

As for the white clouds being kept with the goldfish.  I don't suggest keeping them together simply because the difference in fish.  Basically from what I have learned keeping goldfish is they don't mix well with other types of fish.  They seem to be too dirty and other fish can't handle the waste as well, also goldfish are always hungry and they seem to think everything is food..... When the fancies get large enough you may notice your white clouds disappearing without a trace. 

When you re-home your Shubunkin and the Koi why not leave the fancies in the large tank and add a couple more goldfish, fancies of course?  Or do you have different plans for the 90 gallon tank?

[diavids]

thanks everyone for your answers, i'm going to start to look around for a new home for the shubunkin and the koi. i don't think its warm enough to move them outside yet though. So this gives me time to find the best home for them. i'm not sure about the fancy i have, i have found keeping goldies to be a bit of a learning curve, i have had no  problem with the single tail versions but the fancy's aren't as easy to keep healthy. i just changed the food and that has made a difference, i've switched from omega one pellets to hbh goldfish discs, also give them frozen bloodworms more often and now the fancy is swimming better and more active. if i do get more fancy's i think i'm going to have to be more chosey where i get the fish from. i am considering moving the fancy to the 40gal and get one other as i know they need friends. i would like to use the 90 as a tropical tank as i feel my tropicals need a larger tank (i have this thing about fancy pleco's) What is the easiest types of fancy's to own or ones that stay the smallest? to the white clouds so far i haven't had any disappear and they perfer the cooler water like the goldies, so right now i'm going keep them with the goldies, i have min gravel in the tank, the tank is overfiltered (2 large HOB plus a canister filter) and do twice weekly water changes so the quality of the water should be pretty good. i live in Victoria, BC canada so if anyone here is local to me and wants my fish, please let  me know. (i know the chance is small but you never know) thanks again

[Kaida]

When looking for a home for your koi try to find some one with 1000+ gallons. Most reputable Koi people will tell you they need at least 1000 gallons. You can try posting them on craigs list in your area.  I find homes for rescued fish that way fairly regularly with decent success.

[SeaWitch]

You are right, as fancy GF are harder to keep than the single-tails because the genes have been mixed around and their bodies have been compacted, etc.  Single tails are more closely related to the wild carp, so they are hardier.

However, if you get a fancy from a GOOD breeder/seller, then they are much easier to keep healthy.  I recommend Steve from RainGarden, but as you live in Canada, you may have to go with someone else, as I am not sure Steve ships to Canada, but I THINK he does now.

I find that the fish that I rescue from places like Wal-Mart, Pet-Smart, and other pet chains are very hard to keep healthy and constantly have problems.  However, I have never had ONE problem with my RainGarden fish (knock on wood).  As for which type, I really don't think there is one type that is better than another, I love all fancies , but alot will depend on the fancy you have now.  For instance, you don't want to put like fish with like fish, such as telescopes with other fish that can't see very well, so that they don't have to compete for food.

In my 150g, I have a ranchu, two fantails, an oranda, and a tele, but I do have to hand-feed the tele to make sure she gets enough food.  Of course, another option is that you can use a divider at feeding times, too.

[diavids]

hi again, yes i will be looking for a large pond when i rehome the koi. Also thanks for the advice regarding fancy's. i think the problem is that i have just been getting the fish from lfs and i think what i need to do is buy direct from a good breeder. So i'm going to check into that and see if that makes a different. i'm sure it will.  we had some flurries today so its not warm enough for the fish to go out yet. What bizarre weather.

[Kaida]

I don't know when the warm weather starts getting predictable where your at but for me I can't put my fish out until May.