Posts Tagged ‘garden’
Koi Pond Plants
Monday, July 18th, 2011
Are koi an invasive species for Illinois farm pond?
My husband is trying to control weeds in a small fishing pond they go to using plant eating koi fish. Are they safe for the other fish and wildlife?
I don’t know about invasive, but yes, koi are a nonnative fish. Not only are they nonnative to Illinois, koi are not native to ANY ecosystem anywhere in the world. They are a “domesticated” fish, bred from various strains of carp. Just as house cats and hamsters are not “wild” animals and have no real place in nature, koi should likewise not be planted in wild waters.
If you really care about the invasive species issue, check into the legalities of what you’re contemplating — it’s probably illegal to plant these fish in any water bigger than a plastic fountain in your yard. Unless the pond is completely disconnected from any floodplain and/or watershed, you are risking the possibility of releasing nonnative fish into the wild. As to whether they are invasive, I don’t know your area and I don’t know much about koi. Invasive refers to species that move into wild habitats and outcompete native species, thus displacing them. It may be that were you are the water conditions are not suitable for koi and they will die in the winter or something like that. However, because koi are basically carp, if you place them in a Fish Pond it will probably take an act of God to get them out, and the same goes if they get out into nearby streams or other waterways.
The short answer is NO, koi are not safe for other fish and you shouldn’t do it.
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Garden Works SAH Aqua Hands Garden Gloves, Small $19.47 Designed for optimum fit and comfort without sacrificing protection…. |
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Shade Net Shade Tarp Construction Fence Tarp Dust and Wind Tarp Canopy Shade Panel Koi Pond Screen 8×20′ Black (Multipurpose Tarps) $49.99 Time to reduce the heat and the suns glare and rays where ever you are working or relaxing, with the new multipurpose trap. Whether youre looking to shade the koi pond in your back yard or need a heavy duty construction tarp to shade and minimize dust, these shade nets are the best! This multipurpose tarp is perfect for whatever youre interested in, works to cool and reduce the suns heat and rays…. |
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Koi: Everything about Selection, Care, Nutrition, Diseases, Breeding, Pond Design and Maintenance, and Po (Barron’s Complete Pet Owner’s Manuals) $7.95 … |
