When is it best to introduce baby koi to a pond?

Question

Last summer I discovered baby koi in our pond when I spotted the larger koi eating them.

I promptly removed the fry (as i understand they are called) and placed them in a small separate container. I managed to retrieve 4 of them. It is not a very large container, about 50cm x 40cm x 40cm. The fry are now about a year old and are about 5cm long. Two are now yellow in colour and the other two are still black.

When is the best time to transfer them back to my 11,000 litre pond with 20 other large koi. The largest is about 50cm long?

I am worried they will eat the fry.

Or should I just move the fry to a larger container?

Answer 1

8 inches will already be big enough not to be eaten accidentally by big kois

kOi keeper & goldfish keeper

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Answer 2

i agree with cheez but theres allways ebay to

Answer 3

well, the big KOI would probably eat the 5cm KOI... if i were you id get a tnak of like 40gallons and a good filter and put the KOI in there till theyre like 16cm long=] good luck and hope i helped you=]

Answer 4

move the fry to a larger container, or trade a store for one larger koi

Answer 5

Your larger koi will more than likely eat the smaller ones.  You can transfer them to the pond, if there are heavy plantings.  You can also use a large breeding net for the next few months.  Your koi at a year old should already be around 6-8 inches.  

More than likely due to their small surroundings they are growing much slower.  A large breeding net floating in the pond or a divider would work best for your fish.  2900 gallon pond you should be able to use a koi breeding net to help your little ones.  If not you need to get them into a larger home so they can catch up.

Either way will work.