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Post by andy on Feb 25, 2007 13:02:10 GMT
With spring just around the corner, i've started to increase the amount of food i'm giving the koi. Water temp is 10 deg C and the fish are pretty hungry and very active. Just took a few pics but it started to pour down so this is all i got.    |
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 25, 2007 13:36:09 GMT
Gosh Andy that big silver one is a beauty, well they all are but he/she is enourmous  I saw part of a tv prog while eating my brekky this morning about Koi, didn't realise you don't put plants in with them. I've seen your pics before but it never dawned on me that there were no plants  And it also said all Goldfish were born black and they changed colour trying to revert back to something or other, can't remember what he said now. |
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Post by andy on Feb 25, 2007 13:44:19 GMT
Yep....koi ponds tend not to have plants because they either eat them or uproot them. Koi are the watery equivilent of pigs....they'll root out anything and love the mud !!!
I do have a water lilly but i can't see it lasting this year as the koi are getting bigger and eating more.
The big silver koi was given to me about 6 years ago by an old lady who couldn't look after it any more. The fish is a lump...a big lump but is slightly deformed. She'll stay with me untill the end though.
Yep...all goldfish are born black. Some change to gold very small and some remain black for many years. Certain environmental conditions are responsible for the colour change....but i can't remember which.
Although goldfish are technically carp, golfish do not have barbles around their mouth where carp have two pairs.
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 25, 2007 19:19:41 GMT
What I'd give to have fish like that Andy...............they really are beautiful and must be amazing to watch!
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 25, 2007 19:20:29 GMT
Forgot to ask Andy.................are you still feeding them wheatgerm?
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Post by andy on Feb 26, 2007 5:43:05 GMT
I was a bit naughty Susie and never went on to wheatgerm in the first place  ....they're on just basic, low protein pellets |
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Post by Shrubrose on Jun 10, 2007 8:52:47 GMT
Hello Andy, We're installing a formal pond and plan to put fish in to it. It's about 5' deep and about 9' by 6''. Do you know what kind of fish would thrive best? I'd hate to crowd the pond as I'd like them to have plenty of room to move around in - so wouldn't want anything to get too big in there.  |
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Post by andy on Jun 10, 2007 13:12:33 GMT
It's ideal for anything really with the possible exception of sterlets.
It's big enough for koi, orfe and all the other coldwater fish. Why not have about 10 nice sized koi in there....colourful, friendly and always out on show
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Post by Shrubrose on Jun 12, 2007 21:10:50 GMT
Thankyou Andy for your helpful advice. Could I ask you another? Is it true that fish growth is determined by the number of fish in the pond and the size of the pond?
And another (cheeky me) - we have a wildlife pond (no fish) and a heron has taken to stopping and fishing for frogs. This pond has gently sloping sides and so is easy for the heron to take 'root' so to speak and patiently wait for food. Our formal pond will have no slope being straight sided. Is it likely that a heron could fish from this? I'd hate to lose any fish - I know heron have to eat - but I'd like to make it hard for them (sounds better than saying 'not in my back yard'!!!!)
Shrub.
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Post by andy on Jun 16, 2007 6:07:19 GMT
Sorry for not replying sooner shrubrose.
1) Fish growth is determined by many things.....size and depth of pond, water temperature, type and quantity of food, amount of oxygen going through the pond, water conditions.
2) I've never really had any personal dealings with herons despite living only a few hundred yards from a labyrinth of streams and rivers which are frequented by herons.
Herons like to wade to catch food so a pond depth of 24" or more....with steeply sloping sides is ideal.
However, they will sit around the side of ponds and fish. Making it difficult for them to land and raising the sides does help a lot....my pond is 3' above ground and is covered with a pergola.
Even if the you can't provide those conditions, putting some tubs of plants around the pond can often stop the heron getting there....although they can be pretty determined when they want.
One thing i do know....when a heron knows there's food to be had from a pond and he can get that food.....he won't stop until the pond is empty !!!
Hope this helps
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2007 13:03:50 GMT
I agree beautiful fish Andy. What filter and pump do you have the water looks crystal clear.
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Post by andy on Jun 16, 2007 14:40:11 GMT
Thanks for your comments Stevemc.....I have a large, 6 bay filter which has brushes, flocor and japanese matting in various compartments. As for the pump....it is an aquamax but not sure what size...possibly around 6000 lph. I also run a TMC pro 35 (35 watt) UV sterilizer.
The pond has been running for 2 years now and i don't think i've had a day when it's been cloudy or green.
I also use cloverleaf blanket answer in spring....and it's the best £16 i'll ever spend for eliminating blanketweed.
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jun 16, 2007 14:50:30 GMT
I also run a TMC pro 35 (35 watt) UV sterilizer. Andy, that probably exceeds the spec of the one I have on our 'well-water' drinking supply here... as a matter of interest do you recall the cost? Mine was about £250 supplied and plumbed-in. OM. |
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Post by andy on Jun 16, 2007 14:53:54 GMT
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jun 16, 2007 15:05:41 GMT
Well, that's a refreshing change to the normal marketing ploy of crucifying you for your hobby, When/if I ever have to replace mine (or even the tube) I'll follow up the link! Cheers.
OM.
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Post by Shrubrose on Jun 17, 2007 10:10:14 GMT
Hi Andy,
Shrub again. Just seen your reply to my earlier question - though confirmed my fears - many thanks 'cos it's useful and will help me decide how to prevent losses.
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....they're on just basic, low protein pellets
