Butterfly Koi

[Rowly]

Just nearing completion of my first lined pond beside my home and patio area. The pond will be approx. 2500 gals with a 30' streambed lined with round field stone (vertical sides) and 1-2" round stone on the horizontal surfaces approx 1" deep. Filtration is with a Savio skimmerfilter and a NurseyPro bio-filter waterfall. My goal at this point is to have a few butterfly koi, koi, and varieties of goldfish, orfies, etc. together for observation and enjoyment initially(wife's goal...mother's day present). Is it true these butterfly koi because of their hybrid vigor are stronger, more hardy and more disease resistant? Are they as destructive to aquatic plants as koi? We would also like to add a little color along the water edge with some plants rooted in the 1" depth of small round gravel. My goal is low #'s of butterfly koi and some other species of coldwater fish to enjoy, feed and maybe start my journey with the true koi hobby in other properly lined ponds without stone, plants, and increased filtration, etc.

Any help or suggestions are welcome

Rowly

[KoiCop]

is this the same constant "flow through" (using lake water) design you mentioned here several months ago?

Or is this a newer (different) closed system design?

[Rowly]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop is this the same constant "flow through" (using lake water) design you mentioned here several months ago? Or is this a newer (different) closed system design?

Hello Koicop:

Very good.......no this is the closed end circulating pond for the hot tub and house area with 2 cedar bridges...etc. the back of this pond will have an overflow into the open flow water course and ponds I discussed earlier and had great feedback and wisdom. That will start sometime next month, I hope using the 15 million gallons plus of naturally filter clear gravel pit water and a 3000-4000 at the top of head height pump from the lake will make that project interesting to say the least....

This enclosed pond has gravel and rocks for the look...this is what my wife wanted so.....but the larger project will be different. So, do you have butterfly koi and do they eat aquatic plants the same as the true koi from my question???? Thanks

Rowly

[S. Stone]

Butterfly Koi have the same exact propensity to tear out and eat any vegetation they can get their mouths around, just like "regular" koi. However, I have some large yellow iris plants planted in baskets full of rocks that are placed on the steps of my pond - pool. I dont think the iris taste very good to the koi, including the VERY large butterfly that I have, because they pretty much leave the iris plants alone. Any other plant I've tried as a marginal or floater gets ripped to shreds. S. Stone

[KoiCop]

sounds like you're putting in one of those AquaScape-type underfiltered, rock and plant infested, insufficiently deep water features that are guaranteed to kill koi even in temperate zones.

You're in Canada, dude, and koi are not cold water fish -- so buy the cheap, disposable kind, 'cause those that don't immediately succumb to pathogens, parasites and predators will turn into koisicles come winter.

Thought we'd covered all those bases last time you showed up here?

Here's the URL for North American Water Garden Society: http://www.nawgs.com/

Maybe they can help with what you've got in mind?

[Simi Koi]

to anser the other question, yes longfins do tend to be a bit hardier because they are closer relatives to wild carp and have not been inbred for nearly as long. Not to say they are as strong as their wild cousins, but I have noticed in my stock that I have a lot fewer problems with the longfins.

[aquitori]

Longfins, dragonkoi or watchamacallit....The fish is to each his own, but yes they tend to be a bit hardier than the regular "Japanese" koi.

[dick benbow]

Have to admitt I enjoyed Don's comments about the importance of a proper pond and system irregardless of what koi you put in it!

[LizardBreath]

Maybe the longfin koi I've had are spastic or something, but they were the first ones eaten by the herons. They seemed easier to catch because they didn't swim as fast.
I bought one a little while ago because it was just plain cute and then I have a great big butterfly(LF) in the big pond. He is a hardy fish.

LizardBreath

[Rowly]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop sounds like you're putting in one of those AquaScape-type underfiltered, rock and plant infested, insufficiently deep water features that are guaranteed to kill koi even in temperate zones. You're in Canada, dude, and koi are not cold water fish -- so buy the cheap, disposable kind, 'cause those that don't immediately succumb to pathogens, parasites and predators will turn into koisicles come winter. Thought we'd covered all those bases last time you showed up here? Here's the URL for North American Water Garden Society: http://www.nawgs.com/ Maybe they can help with what you've got in mind?

Don, I'm sure your correct......just starting with the koi experience and this is the initial start and introduction to a few cheap japanese and butterfly koi for a newbee. I have designed the pond so it will be 3 feet deep and I will use a little bubblier throughout the winter in the shallower shelf for release of those gases, etc. in the small open water area. I realize this forum is for the true koi hobbist and I didn't mean to insult anyone's integrity but I'm just starting and making peace with my spouse for our enjoyment. In the 4 larger ponds I will construct they will be more koi friendly and skillfully designed from your forum helpful comments. Sorry for not being experienced and skilled as many have become over their years as they developed and learned from their true dedicated hobby. Thanks

Rowly