Koi fish are commonly housed in small ponds.
This can include something as extravagant as an outdoor feature that is a part of a property’s landscaping. For years, koi fish have been kept in these elaborate ponds to mimic their natural habitat while enjoying their natural beauty.
While all of this is true, it’s still important to look at how a koi fish can be kept at home. This includes asking, can koi fish live in a tank?
A koi fish can live in a tank as long as it is the right size. The minimum recommended fish tank for a koi fish is 30 gallons. However, it’s best to choose a larger fish tank that is at least 50 gallons to offer more space for the koi fish.
The koi fish will have no trouble adapting as long as all of its needs are met.
This includes filtration, oxygen, and food. If these necessities are met, the koi fish will be more than happy within the fish tank.
This article will look at a few tips on how to keep a koi fish inside a fish tank.
Table of Contents
Best Fish Tank For Koi Fish (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- LARGE ENVIRONMENT: Larger environments can house more fish or a greater variety of fish. Maintains water temperature....
- KIT INCLUDES: one 55 gallon tank, EasyBalance Plus, TetraMin, AquaSafe, 6” fish net, 200W heater, WPF 60 Filter, Stick on...
- LED LIGHTING: Included lighting adds the natural daylight effect to your aquarium, giving you illuminated viewing of the...
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tips On How To Keep A Koi Fish In A Tank
1. Choose a 50 Gallon Fish Tank
The size of the fish tank will be important.
You cannot get away with a small-sized fish tank due to the nature of a koi fish. They are going to want an appropriate amount of space to swim around or they will become increasingly anxious with time.
When keeping a koi fish in the tank, you will want to invest in a 50-gallon tank. Some experts believe it’s okay to go with a 30-gallon tank but that is on the lower side of the spectrum. It’s better to go as big as possible.
The reason you want to do this is to make sure the koi fish has space to swim and doesn’t get boxed in.

2. Invest in a Strong Filtration System
The filtration system has to be robust.
You want to pump a lot of oxygen into the fish tank when it comes to this type of fish. They generally live in heavily oxygenated environments and prefer that when swimming around.
You will have to replicate this by making sure the temperature of the water is set to 60-65 degrees F and there is a lot of oxygen in the water.
To do this, you will have to invest in a good filter for a koi fish tank. It’s the only way to keep the koi fish happy.
3. Change The Water Weekly
Keeping koi fish in a fish tank is all about setting a routine.
This includes almost all aspects of raising a fish including when its water is changed and/or how it is fed.
If you are not looking into these details, the koi fish will panic. It will become depressed and often lose sight of what it is doing inside the fish tank. This can lead to a situation where the koi fish stops moving.
You will want to change the water weekly to make sure it is in prime condition for the koi fish at all times.
This is a must.

4. Use Live Plants
Live plants are great because they mimic how a koi fish would live in the pond.
This is something a lot of fish tank owners do when it comes to raising koi fish in a tank. You want to make sure they have live plants in their environment.
This is something they will enjoy and it is also going to add more oxygen into the water. It’s a win-win and a real benefit for the fish.
You should look to add quite a few plants at the bottom of a large fish tank for your koi fish. It will enjoy swimming around or near these live plants and it will also improve the quality of the water.
Final Thoughts
Can koi fish live in a tank?
Koi fish can live inside a fish tank and will often be placed in one that is at least 30 gallons in size. It is generally recommended to go bigger than this and ensure they are receiving a specialized diet alongside a strong filtration system.
If you make these changes, you will watch as the koi fish loves its new environment.
A lot of fish tank owners think it’s impossible to raise a koi fish indoors. This is untrue and it simply comes down to knowing what you are doing and focusing on the task at hand.
Read More On Fish: