Choosing pond fish: Goldfish, Koi, or Sturgeon?
Goldfish, Koi, or Sturgeon – all three are classic pond fish, but with quite different requirements. This comparison will help you make the right choice for your pond.
Goldfish (Carassius Auratus Auratus)
The most accessible choice for a pond. Goldfish are robust, can be kept outdoors all year round, and have relatively few demands regarding pond size.
- Pond Size: from approximately 1500-2000 liters for a small group
- Depth: a minimum of 60 cm to prevent freezing
- Difficulty: easy - ideal for a first pond
- Food: general pond food, in winter adjusted winter/cold-water food
Koi (Cyprinus Rubrofuscus)
More colorful, more impressive – and more demanding. Koi grow to a considerable size (often 40-60+ cm) and therefore require significantly more space and a more powerful filter system than goldfish.
- Pond Size: at least several thousand liters, preferably a separate, spacious koi pond
- Depth: a minimum of 100-150 cm for adult koi
- Difficulty: intermediate to advanced - requires serious filtration and aeration, such as the SuperFish Koi-Flow Air Kit
- Food: special koi food tailored to size and season - Sera Koi Royal Mini for small koi up to 12 cm, Royal Medium for 12-25 cm, Royal Large from 25 cm, and Sera Koi Professional Winter at temperatures below 12°C
Sturgeon (Acipenser)
The most specialized choice of the three. Sturgeon need a long, spacious pond with plenty of current and oxygen-rich water, and they only swim forwards - so they cannot turn around in too cramped a space.
- Pond Size: count on at least 10x their body length in pond length
- Depth and Current: cool, clear, oxygen-rich, and flowing water is a requirement, not a luxury
- Difficulty: advanced - first read our comprehensive guide Keeping Sturgeon before purchasing a sturgeon
Comparison at a glance
| Goldfish | Koi | Sturgeon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Intermediate/Advanced | Advanced |
| Minimum pond size | ±1500-2000L | Several thousand liters | Long, min. 10x body length |
| Grows to | ±15-20 cm | 40-60+ cm | Varies by species, see our guide |
| Special requirement | None specific | Robust filtration | Current and oxygen-rich water |
Can they cohabitate?
Goldfish and koi can coexist well in the same pond, provided the size is large enough for both. Sturgeon are bottom dwellers that do not interfere with other fish and can, in principle, be combined with both species, as long as the pond meets their specific requirements (current, space, oxygen).
Still in doubt?
Feel free to visit our store in Heinkenszand for personal advice on which pond fish best suits your pond, or ask your question via chat.