spawning media

[Ann in Houston]

I want to let my koi spawn, because I want new fish but I don't want to
quarantine them. I have prevented hatching by not providing cover, so the
eggs are eaten up. What do y'all think of this idea.
I thought of getting shower scrubbies and stringing them tightly on a cord,
like popcorn garland on a Christmas tree. Then I would hang them on the
side of the pond for the fish to rub against and to catch the eggs and milt.
They would be easy to gather up and move to a protected enclosure in the
pond for hatching.
Would this work? Would the eggs lodge in the net? Someone suggested buying
spawning brushes, but they are green. If they would work better, I would go
ahead and get them, but would they?
BTW, there is no real spawning season here. It stays warm enough, long
enough that they spawn throughout the year, except in the dead of winter.
Any other ideas?

[Snooze]

"Ann in Houston" > wrote in message
...
>I want to let my koi spawn, because I want new fish but I don't want to
>quarantine them. I have prevented hatching by not providing cover, so the
>eggs are eaten up. What do y'all think of this idea.
> I thought of getting shower scrubbies and stringing them tightly on a
> cord, like popcorn garland on a Christmas tree. Then I would hang them on
> the side of the pond for the fish to rub against and to catch the eggs and
> milt. They would be easy to gather up and move to a protected enclosure in
> the pond for hatching.
> Would this work? Would the eggs lodge in the net? Someone suggested
> buying spawning brushes, but they are green. If they would work better, I
> would go ahead and get them, but would they?
> BTW, there is no real spawning season here. It stays warm enough, long
> enough that they spawn throughout the year, except in the dead of winter.
> Any other ideas?

Life finds a way, in the absence of ideal spawning media, the fish will find
the next best thing. Sections of thick hemp rope, window screen material,
sunscreen fabric (tent window mesh), milk crates with green scouring pads,
tuffy pads, etc.

I use a few upside down milk crates, they provide caves for the fry to hide
in until they get large enough.

-S