Can koi live with apistogramma?

Verdict

No. Koi and apistogramma should not share a tank. Koi are coldwater animals (59–77°F); apistogramma need 75–84°F. They overlap only at 75–77°F, the edge of both ranges.

Koi59–77°F · pH 7–8.5

Apistogramma75–84°F · pH 5–7

What to watch

Deal breakerKoi are coldwater animals (59–77°F); apistogramma need 75–84°F. They overlap only at 75–77°F, the edge of both ranges.
Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Watch outAt 24 inches a koi can swallow a small apistogramma. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

	Koi	Apistogramma
Temperature	59–77 °F	75–84 °F
pH	7–8.5	5–7
Adult size	24.0 in	3.0 in
Minimum tank	Pond	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	All levels	Bottom
Group	Groups of 3+	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Omnivore	Carnivore

Better tank mates for koi

All koi tank mates

Better tank mates for apistogramma