Should You Keep Shubunkin in Koi Ponds?

Koi ponds have become synonymous with garden ponds even though they can be established to keep many other aquatic species. For example, in Bermuda and the Florida Keys, some aquarists are known to set up saltwater ponds in their backyards as a means to simulate the natural marine and brackish ponds that form near Caribbean lagoons. With this in mind, keeping a pond in your backyard doesn’t force you to stock it with koi. Some pond keepers prefer to forego koi and look to other species such as crawfish, Chinese algae eaters, fancy goldfish, and Shubunkin, which are often confused with some koi varieties. Some pond keepers prefer Shubunkin over koi for various reasons. The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a trusted provider of koi pond supplies, explain why Shubunkin are a great choice for your pond.

Shubunkin Are Bred for Backyard Ponds

Similar to koi, Shubunkin are the result of crossbreeding for the purpose of increasing the range of ornamental species. In essence, Shubunkin are a mix of common and fancy goldfish. They descend from the Asian carp that koi derive from, but they’re better suited for tropical climates. Since the early 20th century, Japanese koi breeders started exporting Shubunkin to China, where many pond keepers preferred them to koi. These days, there are three varieties of this fish, and each variant may present different colors. In China, the most sought-after Shubunkin have metallic blue coloring.

Shubunkin Are Very Hardy Fish

The Asian carp genes of Shubunkin makes them very resilient in terms of acclimatization. They can thrive in water temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and they can also resist bacterial and parasitic disease to a certain extent. You don’t have to worry about Shubunkin getting infected when frogs invade your pond. The goldfish genes of Shubunkin make them omnivorous, which means you can mix vegetables such as cucumber, lettuce, and watermelon with their flakes or pellets. If you grow floating hyacinth in your pond, Shubunkin will nibble on the leaves.

There Are No Jumbo Shubunkin

It takes about two years for a Shubunkin to reach adulthood and its maximum size, which ranges between 9 and 14 inches for the American varieties. A few pond keepers have reported Shubunkin growing to 20 inches, but overfeeding may have been a factor in these reports. The size advantage of this fish means you would be able to keep a few in a garden pond that can only hold 1,000 gallons of water. In the case of koi, you wouldn’t want to keep more than two in a smaller pond.

Shubunkin Are Gregarious

This fish is much more active than common and fancy goldfish, and this species doesn’t bring in the vast diseases that the common goldfish does. It’s known to get along with virtually all pond species. The American Shubunkin variety is favored around the world because of its gracious social behavior in groups. Similar to koi, Shubunkin will recognize humans who feed them, thus giving you opportunities for hand-feeding.

No matter the species you keep in your pond, you’ll need all of the necessary supplies to keep your fish healthy and happy for many years to come. Whether you need koi pond filters, beneficial bacteria, pumps, you can find what you’re looking for at Aquatic Warehouse. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, order your supplies from our website, or give us a call today at 858-467-9297 if you have any questions.