Koi, goldfish, salmon?

[Nova]

My fish are very confused. We took them from the big pond and put them all into the small pond until we get the big pond rebuilt. First problem, Clifford the Big Red Fish, a very large comet goldfish, was being tormented by the males and they got her wedged between the rocks and was stuck. She was probably there for a couple hours before we found her. She is now in a tub with an aquarium filter to let her rest and recover. There are a some missing scales on her sides.

Now the strange thing. We were sitting on the porch watching the fish while they played under the waterfall. Then to our surprise, one by one, they tried up jump up the waterfall, koi and goldfish. They could make it the lowest rock then have to flop around to fall back into the pond. Are koi and goldfish related to salmon? lol I added a couple rocks to block off their path and will have to watch and make sure they don't get stuck on the falls ledge.

 

[ponderpaul]

given a chance, they will swim upstream:cheerful:

 

[j.w]

According to Japanese legend, if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called 'Dragon Gate on the Yellow River' it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement.
Koi's swimming downstream are considered bad luck. Upstream means that you are still fighting or struggling. Downstream means that your hardships have been overcome and no longer fighting the current.

Actually, Original goldfish stock were native to Asian mountain streams. Most likely, the fish is simply following its ancestral instincts by swimming upstream.
As long as you have plenty of healthy plants, and the fish is not landing outside of the pond, the fish should be fine.

 

[j.w]

Actually, Original goldfish stock were native to Asian mountain streams. Most likely, the fish is simply following its ancestral instincts by swimming upstream. As long as you have plenty of healthy plants, and the fish is not landing outside of the pond, the fish should be fine

 

[Nova]

lol so I have future dragons in my pond. I have the waterfalls flowing toward the house, a feng shui thing of having all good things flow toward you instead of away from you. It sounds like going down stream is better, having overcome your hardships and going with the flow. But then my fish are young and they have not learned tranquility and peace yet. Maybe once I put my Buddha by the pond they will settle down.

 

[fishin4cars]

They will learn that they can't go any further and will settle down in time. When we first added the stream to ours several would swim upstream. I even had one or two that made it all the way up to the Bio filter. This year I haven't seen one try at all. But then again, they are scared to death of the owl and aren't coming to me at all to feed. They are very spooked and don't come out until all the screen covers are on and once it gets dark you wan't see them again until morning.

 

[marla]

JW, interesting info.
is there good algae up on the falls rocks, or say little worms or snails they might be going after? I know mine love the algae on the falls rocks. Hopefuly they will stay in the pond and you don't end up with some outside the water.

 

[Shdwdrgn]

My goldfish have been having a lot of fun in the new river I built them, but I think they're confused that it doesn't actually GO anywhere. I had one larger fish jump out at the end, but was able to rescue her. As fishin says, they will settle down in time - I haven't had any more jumpers.

 

[j.w]

Sorry about the double post up there but something weird happened. Tried to edit the first post and it didn't show up so posted the rest in the next post and then they both showed up. My feng shui must have went phooey on me down the river the wrong way... :fish:

 

[addy1]

Build them a good home and they search for a different view!

 

[Nova]

marla, the pond does not have any algae yet, it is a new pond. The fish have been very entertaining. The goldfish, Clifford, I had to isolate is doing fine.

 

[RSFish1]

Carp and catfish love flowing water. Many times they will school up near where water is flowing in. Their instinct is that food will be flowing in also. So Koi I believe have that inherent behavior also. And add a waterfall and they will go nuts for it. I guess they figure there must be something good at the top of it so they try to climb it. LOL

I have a 4500 GPH pump sitting on the bottom of my pond blowing straight up. So the water is always boiling up big time there. We laugh all the time because they line up to take rides on the boiling up water. 3, 4, 10 Koi will swim in to the boiling water and take a ride. I was afraid at first they would hurt themselves. Several years later no visible signs of damage. But it has been hours of fun for us to watch. I hope to get a video someday of it.

 

[koiguy1969]

they enjoy riding the bubbles from an airstone as well...especially the little guys. both koi and goldies.

 

[j.w]

RSFish1 that would be fun to see a video of them riding the volcano :bouncycig:

 

[Pond Boy]

Glad to hear Clifford is doing okay. LOL that must be funny as all get out fish do some goofy stuff from time to time..