Question
QUESTION: My fiance and I have a small butterfly koi about 2-3 inches in length. How small is the smallest gallon tank/pond/tub can we keep it in for about a year or two? We are planning on building a larger pond for the koi within the summer. Just in case we can't would a 70 gallon tub or 140 gallon pond work until then?
ANSWER: The koi experts say to have 1000 gallons for the first koi and 100 gallons for each additional.  That's for their adult size.  Since you only need something for a year or so, then anything over 50 gallons should be enough for one baby koi for now.  A 70 gallon tub or 140 gallon pond should be fine with the larger being better of course.  Try not to be tempted to add more koi (a few goldfish might be ok) until your new, larger pond is ready.  Good luck!

Robyn
fishpondinfo.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We bought two more koi (sorry didn't get your post in time), not because we really wanted to but because she was getting depressed. She wouldn't eat or swim much. We got two more koi, she was swimming and eating. We are making blueprints for a pond, will a 7 foot 4 inch width by 10 foot length and 2 feet 4 inches deep be good for all three of them?

Answer
Koi do like friends.  The pond dimensions you have, if it was a perfect box, would give about 1200 gallons.  Of course, the sides will be slopped and so on so it may be only 1000 or even less gallons.  That should be large enough (at least anytime soon) for your three baby koi.  I would try not to be tempted to get any more koi though unless you can build a larger pond.  It's ok to add some smaller species of fish though.  I have goldfish, orfe, minnows, and shiners with my two koi.  The larger you can make your pond, the better.  Happy digging!