I used to keep koi as well...

[emeraldking]

I used to keep and breed koi as well. I've kept them starting mid 1980's up till 2005. I'm still a huge fan of these fish but I've decided to step out of the hobby. I has a couple of times that uninvited people broke in my backyard despite of the number of locks. And several koi were stolen and even killed. After I've reported it to the police, the police is only checking out the premises just for one week. After a number of times that this happened, I've decided with a bleeding heart to get rid of those koi. But I can still talk for hours about them.

I've kept them in the backyard (two ponds), and I had a number of tubs in the backyard where I sold those koi from. In the shed I had tanks and tubs where I had all the fry of all ages. And in the livingroom I had a patio pond.

I had some in a fishtank. Of course, when they were still small. Koi won't stop growing in a fishtank. They grow up pretty fast and then those that were in the fishtank, were moved to one of the ponds in the backyard. Same goes for the ones that were kept in the patio pond

 

[BigManAquatics]

I find them peaceful to watch. A couple koi ponds around town on public propertythat are deep enough they survive year-round. I won't keep them unless i can set up a good pond for them.

 

[emeraldking]

I find them peaceful to watch. A couple koi ponds around town on public propertythat are deep enough they survive year-round. I won't keep them unless i can set up a good pond for them.

Oh, they do calm you down for sure. When I came home late, I would go to my backyard and check those koi. I would grab a beer or a glass of wine and would sit on the edge of this small bridge I had. They would come to me right away. They were tame and I would feed them out of my hand.

 

[bgarthe]

Sorry to hear of your koi issues w thugs who did what they did. I’m blessed to live in the country w few problems like you described.

 

[emeraldking]

Sorry to hear of your koi issues w thugs who did what they did. I’m blessed to live in the country w few problems like you described.

It didn't only happen to me. It was in a time period that a lot of koi keepers and stores had the same problem: Koi theft. Because of the high prices (if the quality allows it) of those koi triggered in certain persons to steal them and sell them to others who would be willing to pay the highest price.
I've said for many years that my money was growing in water. For I bred my those koi and raised serious numbers of them. And they're fast growers. So, if I needed some extra money, I could just sell a koi or more. But I firstly do love the look and behavior of those fish. Mine were all tame.

 

[bgarthe]

I know what you mean when you say tame. My koi go nuts when I approach and also eat out of my hand. Once, years ago, I tried the Japanese act of holding a pellet between my lips and having them come and take it. It’s weird (that ‘kissing’ sound, but cool…..and one does get wet

 

[emeraldking]

I know what you mean when you say tame. My koi go nuts when I approach and also eat out of my hand. Once, years ago, I tried the Japanese act of holding a pellet between my lips and having them come and take it. It’s weird (that ‘kissing’ sound, but cool…..and one does get wet

Yes, I fed them also by hand. And it's a funny soft feeling when they suck at your hand. And it does make noise...

 

[JustAFishServant]

Dang my friend! I saw a video about a guy getting his koi killed and stolen. I understand Koi are worth a lot (both in terms of life and money), but it's still not right to steal someone's beloved pets! Thieves should get jobs. If they can't get a conventional job, they can always do odd ones, work on the side, or start a business. "Wrong should never be right."