Japan is the Mecca for Koi.  Koi are part of the culture, much like dogs or cats are here in America.  One big difference, however, is that most of these wet pets outlive their owners.  In fact, fish are often passed down from generation to generation, as the valuable heirlooms that they are.

In one village, the fish in a family’s pond had been passed down through so many generations, that the original ancestors who’d kept these prized fish could not even be recalled.  Knowing, though, that these were some old fish, it was decided that someone should find out just how old they were.

Working with a local university, a few of the fish gave up some scales for the sake of science.  When the scientists tested the scales, even they were amazed at the results.  The oldest fish alive in that pond had been around for an amazing 226 years!  Two of his fellow pond dwellers were 180 and 156 years old, respectively.

The moral of the story?  Take good care of your Koi, because maybe someday your great, great, great, great, great, grandchildren’s grandchildren will enjoy gazing at these truly amazing creatures.

FOUR FALLACIOUS FACTORS IN THE PHENOMENA OF FISH FEAR…

One problem we run into is people with what we call,  “Fish Fear”.  This occurs with the new pond owner who’s afraid that somehow they’re going to harm their fish.   You know, things like…

The pond will spring a leak and kill them...

They’ll for forget to feed them...

The problem with fish fear is that fish are one of the 5 absolutely necessary, unequivocally required, parts of the balanced ecosystem recipe.  Without fish you can’t have a balanced ecosystem-  which is the reason you chose an Aquascape™ water feature in the first place.  And without fish, you’ll be missing on 20% of the fun.

THE ANTIDOTE TO FISH FEAR  

Now the antidote to fish fear is the knowledge that the kinds of fish people put in their water garden are very hardy varieties, that have evolved in the bowels of Mother Nature herself.  They’re extremely adept at finding their own food, (believe it or not) with or without you!  They’ll survive right nicely over the winter, just as long as you keep a hole in the ice and allow gasses to be exchanged.  And so long as you steer clear of bottom drains, an Aquascape™  pond is physically incapable of draining completely and landlocking your fish.

It’s important to recognize that the presence of fish actually reduces your maintenance time since they consume plants/nutrients, and excrete waste/nutrients, both of which play a significant role in the pond’s circle of life.

WHAT ABOUT PREDATORS?

Now there’s one other factor in the phenomena of fish fear…things like raccoons, muskrats, herons, and snakes.  Categorically, I’m referring to predators.  Let’s check these out one at a time.  Raccoons for example are not swimmers, and if you build your pond correctly, that is to say 2 feet deep at the lowest shelf,  these bushy little varmints will be no problem for you.  Muskrats only show up if your pond is close to some other natural water source- a lake or river, etc.  If they do show up, however, they swim well, and they love the taste of your succulent aquatic plants.

Heron are occasionally very adept at spotting a Koi from 200 feet in the air, swooping down, helping themselves to your favorite friend.  Heron problems are generally discouraged with a “motion controlled sprinkling system.”

And then there are snakes.  Many people think that a new water feature will draw a reptile population into the yard.  And if you live in certain areas of the southern United States, this can be the case.  But in 99% of our installations, snakes just never show up.

THE MORAL TO THIS STORY…