Koi Pond Mystery
I live in Bklyn Heights and have a koi pond in the backyard with two koi fish that I inherited from the previous owners. I’ve been taking care of these fish for the past 4 years without any issues. This morning I discovered that one of the pair was gone. No trace anywhere in the…
I live in Bklyn Heights and have a koi pond in the backyard with two koi fish that I inherited from the previous owners. I’ve been taking care of these fish for the past 4 years without any issues. This morning I discovered that one of the pair was gone. No trace anywhere in the garden. I’m leaning towards thinking that it may be a raccoon or other large animal as opposed to the fish being stolen. Has anyone else encountered anything similar?
Also, I want to get another fish to replace the other one. Can anyone recommend a reputable supplier?
A few months ago I saw a heron or egret have itself a very expensive koi breakfast at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
According to Brooklyn Heights Blog, there have been a lot of raccoon sightings in the neighborhood recently.
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/3289
Heron’s are incredibly rare in Brooklyn – If I was a betting man I would put my money on raccoons. I trapped 4 of the little bastards who were after my koi and disposed of 5 more. They are relentless and the koi pond being a cool clean source of fresh water is a raccoon magnet.
Herons, egrets, and even wild turkeys are starting to move back into urban areas across the country. It seems odd, but supposedly from years of habitat encroachment, the species are becoming acclimated to people and developed areas. These birds appear to be becoming less selective about how ‘wild’ their habitat has to be in order to be acceptable as long as it is providing adequate food, shelter, and safety from predators.
My cat would sooner die than put a delicate little paw in water. Of course he’s spoiled and much smarter than me since I bring him the fish, not the other way around.
I would be so thrilled to see a heron or egret in brownstone Brooklyn but I thought they would stay in marshy areas and bays?
It may also have been a heron or egret. The Times ran a story about garden predators that mentioned herons eating koi. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/garden/05animals.html?pagewanted=4
i heard a noise in my kitchen once and went to investigate
Surpise! there was a goldfish on the floor flapping around
I saw my cat and put 2 and 2 together. Put the fish in some water and put it back in the neighbors little pond
the fish was fine
its not common, but possible
It’s possible it was a raccoon. I’ve seen them in the backyard here and there have been sightings all over brooklyn. They are great fishers. I hesitate to say cat because most cats hate water so much, and unless the koi swam very close to the surface and offered the cat the opportunity, most of them would prefer to think the pond is a form of tv show and just watch.
Bob at Suburban Water Gardens on Long Island is the premiere Koi breeder in the country. He is a wealth of information – and supplies koi all over the world. I first heard him speak at BBG, and have visited his compound on LI.
SuburbanPonds.com
211 Burrs Lane – Dix Hills,
Dix Hills, Long Island, NY 11746
TEL: 631-643-3500
FAX: 631-643-3399
e-mail: koi@suburbanponds.com
HOURS – Monday-Saturday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM,
Sundays and Holidays 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM