Strange behavior...

Hi. I'm in Connecticut and have been longingly looking at my pond through
the windows for months now. On the warmer days I'd see the fish swimming
around, and then there was that spell that the ice was so thick I thought
spring would never come! I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years. But that's not my
problem: Yesterday when I was home for lunch I was, as usual, looking out
the window at the pond, and noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of
frisky. He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did a little
jump. I thought "spawning?" but no, it's too early. I looked away for a
few minutes and when I came back, I didn't see him, but I did see a lot of
splashing going on from a point where I keep some potted plants on a ledge.
I figured he was still playing and feeling frisky and was trying to knock
over a plant. This morning before work I did not see him, and at lunch
(now) I couldn't see him, either. I took a walk out there (not a wise idea
in office attire - there's so much mud from this horrible winter!) and
found that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that, but
there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get stuck all of a
sudden? That plant has been there in that same place for years, why this
year, and why all of them? I am totally stumped as to what caused them to
all of a sudden find that area so appealing that they got themselves stuck -
any thoughts?????
Thanks in advance.
Sue

Predators? Were they maybe all looking for some place safe to hide? Spring
has sprung and maybe the predator types are hungry after a long winter.

Regarding the "frisky" behavior, I would suspect parasites before I'd think
of spawning: I thing your water is probably still too cold. But the
creepy-crawlies are beginning to wake up, too.


Lee

"SueAndHerZoo" wrote in message
news:V034c.59379$Ri6.2735@lakeread04...
Hi. I'm in Connecticut and have been longingly looking at my pond through
the windows for months now. On the warmer days I'd see the fish swimming
around, and then there was that spell that the ice was so thick I thought
spring would never come! I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years. But that's not my
problem: Yesterday when I was home for lunch I was, as usual, looking
out
the window at the pond, and noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of
frisky. He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did a little
jump. I thought "spawning?" but no, it's too early. I looked away for
a
few minutes and when I came back, I didn't see him, but I did see a lot of
splashing going on from a point where I keep some potted plants on a
ledge.
I figured he was still playing and feeling frisky and was trying to knock
over a plant. This morning before work I did not see him, and at lunch
(now) I couldn't see him, either. I took a walk out there (not a wise
idea
in office attire - there's so much mud from this horrible winter!) and
found that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that, but
there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get stuck all of a
sudden? That plant has been there in that same place for years, why this
year, and why all of them? I am totally stumped as to what caused them
to
all of a sudden find that area so appealing that they got themselves stuck
-
any thoughts?????
Thanks in advance.
Sue

Thank you, Lee, for taking the time to answer my post. I was beginning to
think my message was only showing up on my computer.

I don't know WHAT to think. The strangeness continues. I have since
removed that potted plant because they were all continually going back there
and getting stuck. Now they all seem to be hanging out near the edges of
the pond, on the surface. I noticed that my platinum koi has blood in his
tail, but don't know if that's a disease or part of being stuck behind the
plant. I'm hoping to spend all of my weekend out there trying to get the
pond cleaned up, opened, and running, and will hopefully get some clues as
to what's going on out there. I have been working 12 hours a day at the
office and it's dark and cold by the time I get home, so I'm cancelling all
weekend plans and devoting it to the fish. (Hoping the weather cooperates!)

Thanks again.
Sue
"Lee B." wrote in message
...
Predators? Were they maybe all looking for some place safe to hide? Spring
has sprung and maybe the predator types are hungry after a long winter.

Regarding the "frisky" behavior, I would suspect parasites before I'd
think
of spawning: I thing your water is probably still too cold. But the
creepy-crawlies are beginning to wake up, too.


Lee

"SueAndHerZoo" wrote in message
news:V034c.59379$Ri6.2735@lakeread04...
Hi. I'm in Connecticut and have been longingly looking at my pond
through
the windows for months now. On the warmer days I'd see the fish
swimming
around, and then there was that spell that the ice was so thick I
thought
spring would never come! I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years. But that's not my
problem: Yesterday when I was home for lunch I was, as usual, looking
out
the window at the pond, and noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of
frisky. He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did a
little
jump. I thought "spawning?" but no, it's too early. I looked away
for
a
few minutes and when I came back, I didn't see him, but I did see a lot
of
splashing going on from a point where I keep some potted plants on a
ledge.
I figured he was still playing and feeling frisky and was trying to
knock
over a plant. This morning before work I did not see him, and at lunch
(now) I couldn't see him, either. I took a walk out there (not a wise
idea
in office attire - there's so much mud from this horrible winter!) and
found that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that, but
there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get stuck all of a
sudden? That plant has been there in that same place for years, why
this
year, and why all of them? I am totally stumped as to what caused
them
to
all of a sudden find that area so appealing that they got themselves
stuck
-
any thoughts?????
Thanks in advance.
Sue

Thank you, Lee, for taking the time to answer my post. I was beginning to
think my message was only showing up on my computer.

I don't know WHAT to think. The strangeness continues. I have since
removed that potted plant because they were all continually going back there
and getting stuck. Now they all seem to be hanging out near the edges of
the pond, on the surface. I noticed that my platinum koi has blood in his
tail, but don't know if that's a disease or part of being stuck behind the
plant. I'm hoping to spend all of my weekend out there trying to get the
pond cleaned up, opened, and running, and will hopefully get some clues as
to what's going on out there. I have been working 12 hours a day at the
office and it's dark and cold by the time I get home, so I'm cancelling all
weekend plans and devoting it to the fish. (Hoping the weather cooperates!)

Thanks again.
Sue
"Lee B." wrote in message
...
Predators? Were they maybe all looking for some place safe to hide? Spring
has sprung and maybe the predator types are hungry after a long winter.

Regarding the "frisky" behavior, I would suspect parasites before I'd
think
of spawning: I thing your water is probably still too cold. But the
creepy-crawlies are beginning to wake up, too.


Lee

"SueAndHerZoo" wrote in message
news:V034c.59379$Ri6.2735@lakeread04...
Hi. I'm in Connecticut and have been longingly looking at my pond
through
the windows for months now. On the warmer days I'd see the fish
swimming
around, and then there was that spell that the ice was so thick I
thought
spring would never come! I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years. But that's not my
problem: Yesterday when I was home for lunch I was, as usual, looking
out
the window at the pond, and noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of
frisky. He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did a
little
jump. I thought "spawning?" but no, it's too early. I looked away
for
a
few minutes and when I came back, I didn't see him, but I did see a lot
of
splashing going on from a point where I keep some potted plants on a
ledge.
I figured he was still playing and feeling frisky and was trying to
knock
over a plant. This morning before work I did not see him, and at lunch
(now) I couldn't see him, either. I took a walk out there (not a wise
idea
in office attire - there's so much mud from this horrible winter!) and
found that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that, but
there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get stuck all of a
sudden? That plant has been there in that same place for years, why
this
year, and why all of them? I am totally stumped as to what caused
them
to
all of a sudden find that area so appealing that they got themselves
stuck
-
any thoughts?????
Thanks in advance.
Sue

Predators? Were they maybe all looking for some place safe to hide? Spring
has sprung and maybe the predator types are hungry after a long winter.

Regarding the "frisky" behavior, I would suspect parasites before I'd think
of spawning: I thing your water is probably still too cold. But the
creepy-crawlies are beginning to wake up, too.


Lee

"SueAndHerZoo" wrote in message
news:V034c.59379$Ri6.2735@lakeread04...
Hi. I'm in Connecticut and have been longingly looking at my pond through
the windows for months now. On the warmer days I'd see the fish swimming
around, and then there was that spell that the ice was so thick I thought
spring would never come! I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years. But that's not my
problem: Yesterday when I was home for lunch I was, as usual, looking
out
the window at the pond, and noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of
frisky. He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did a little
jump. I thought "spawning?" but no, it's too early. I looked away for
a
few minutes and when I came back, I didn't see him, but I did see a lot of
splashing going on from a point where I keep some potted plants on a
ledge.
I figured he was still playing and feeling frisky and was trying to knock
over a plant. This morning before work I did not see him, and at lunch
(now) I couldn't see him, either. I took a walk out there (not a wise
idea
in office attire - there's so much mud from this horrible winter!) and
found that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that, but
there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get stuck all of a
sudden? That plant has been there in that same place for years, why this
year, and why all of them? I am totally stumped as to what caused them
to
all of a sudden find that area so appealing that they got themselves stuck
-
any thoughts?????
Thanks in advance.
Sue

Could they be trying to scratch parasites off their body?



--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"SueAndHerZoo" wrote in message
news:V034c.59379$Ri6.2735@lakeread04...
Hi. I'm in Connecticut and have been longingly looking at my pond through
the windows for months now. On the warmer days I'd see the fish swimming
around, and then there was that spell that the ice was so thick I thought
spring would never come! I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years. But that's not my
problem: Yesterday when I was home for lunch I was, as usual, looking
out
the window at the pond, and noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of
frisky. He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did a little
jump. I thought "spawning?" but no, it's too early. I looked away for
a
few minutes and when I came back, I didn't see him, but I did see a lot of
splashing going on from a point where I keep some potted plants on a
ledge.
I figured he was still playing and feeling frisky and was trying to knock
over a plant. This morning before work I did not see him, and at lunch
(now) I couldn't see him, either. I took a walk out there (not a wise
idea
in office attire - there's so much mud from this horrible winter!) and
found that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that, but
there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get stuck all of a
sudden? That plant has been there in that same place for years, why this
year, and why all of them? I am totally stumped as to what caused them
to
all of a sudden find that area so appealing that they got themselves
stuck -
any thoughts?????
Thanks in advance.
Sue

That's a real good thought . . . I was wondering about that, too. I have
never had a parasite problem in my 4-year old pond, and I haven't introduced
anything new, and it's been frozen for the past few months, so where would
parasites come from all of a sudden? Still not ruling that out as a
possibility, but not sure why it would happen. Thanks for the suggestion -
their behavior does seem like they're trying to get something off of them.
Sue

"Just Me "Koi"" wrote in message
...
Could they be trying to scratch parasites off their body?



--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"SueAndHerZoo" wrote in message
news:V034c.59379$Ri6.2735@lakeread04...
Hi. I'm in Connecticut and have been longingly looking at my pond
through
the windows for months now. On the warmer days I'd see the fish
swimming
around, and then there was that spell that the ice was so thick I
thought
spring would never come! I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years. But that's not my
problem: Yesterday when I was home for lunch I was, as usual, looking
out
the window at the pond, and noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of
frisky. He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did a
little
jump. I thought "spawning?" but no, it's too early. I looked away
for
a
few minutes and when I came back, I didn't see him, but I did see a lot
of
splashing going on from a point where I keep some potted plants on a
ledge.
I figured he was still playing and feeling frisky and was trying to
knock
over a plant. This morning before work I did not see him, and at lunch
(now) I couldn't see him, either. I took a walk out there (not a wise
idea
in office attire - there's so much mud from this horrible winter!) and
found that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that, but
there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get stuck all of a
sudden? That plant has been there in that same place for years, why
this
year, and why all of them? I am totally stumped as to what caused
them
to
all of a sudden find that area so appealing that they got themselves
stuck -
any thoughts?????
Thanks in advance.
Sue

That's a real good thought . . . I was wondering about that, too. I have
never had a parasite problem in my 4-year old pond, and I haven't introduced
anything new, and it's been frozen for the past few months, so where would
parasites come from all of a sudden? Still not ruling that out as a
possibility, but not sure why it would happen. Thanks for the suggestion -
their behavior does seem like they're trying to get something off of them.
Sue

"Just Me "Koi"" wrote in message
...
Could they be trying to scratch parasites off their body?



--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"SueAndHerZoo" wrote in message
news:V034c.59379$Ri6.2735@lakeread04...
Hi. I'm in Connecticut and have been longingly looking at my pond
through
the windows for months now. On the warmer days I'd see the fish
swimming
around, and then there was that spell that the ice was so thick I
thought
spring would never come! I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years. But that's not my
problem: Yesterday when I was home for lunch I was, as usual, looking
out
the window at the pond, and noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of
frisky. He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did a
little
jump. I thought "spawning?" but no, it's too early. I looked away
for
a
few minutes and when I came back, I didn't see him, but I did see a lot
of
splashing going on from a point where I keep some potted plants on a
ledge.
I figured he was still playing and feeling frisky and was trying to
knock
over a plant. This morning before work I did not see him, and at lunch
(now) I couldn't see him, either. I took a walk out there (not a wise
idea
in office attire - there's so much mud from this horrible winter!) and
found that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that, but
there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get stuck all of a
sudden? That plant has been there in that same place for years, why
this
year, and why all of them? I am totally stumped as to what caused
them
to
all of a sudden find that area so appealing that they got themselves
stuck -
any thoughts?????
Thanks in advance.
Sue

Could they be trying to scratch parasites off their body?



--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"SueAndHerZoo" wrote in message
news:V034c.59379$Ri6.2735@lakeread04...
Hi. I'm in Connecticut and have been longingly looking at my pond through
the windows for months now. On the warmer days I'd see the fish swimming
around, and then there was that spell that the ice was so thick I thought
spring would never come! I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years. But that's not my
problem: Yesterday when I was home for lunch I was, as usual, looking
out
the window at the pond, and noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of
frisky. He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did a little
jump. I thought "spawning?" but no, it's too early. I looked away for
a
few minutes and when I came back, I didn't see him, but I did see a lot of
splashing going on from a point where I keep some potted plants on a
ledge.
I figured he was still playing and feeling frisky and was trying to knock
over a plant. This morning before work I did not see him, and at lunch
(now) I couldn't see him, either. I took a walk out there (not a wise
idea
in office attire - there's so much mud from this horrible winter!) and
found that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that, but
there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get stuck all of a
sudden? That plant has been there in that same place for years, why this
year, and why all of them? I am totally stumped as to what caused them
to
all of a sudden find that area so appealing that they got themselves
stuck -
any thoughts?????
Thanks in advance.
Sue

Hi Sue. Have you checked your water quality? Sometimes the water
parameters (pH, KH, ammonia, nitrite, etc. levels) change so quickly in
the spring, that the water becomes slightly toxic and the fish react by
zipping around and jumping. You might want to do a 20-30% water change
just in case.

P.S. What other critters do you have in your "Zoo"? I'm "zookeeper"
because of our three dogs, one cat, one rabbit, and 13 koi, two teenage
boys and one teenage (51 yo) husband, but in the past our zoo has
included another cat, goldfish and a gecko ;-)
--
Zk, aka Kathy
3500gal pond, 13 pond piggies
Oregon, USDA Zone 7

SueAndHerZoo wrote:
... I don't know why, but the water seems more
green this year than it has in any previous years ... I
... noticed my big platinum koi acting kind of frisky.
He was swimming fast around the perimeter, and even did
a little jump ... I took a walk out there ... and found
that he was trapped behind the potted plant! Not only that,
but there were 4 five others trapped, too! (one dead)

What in heck possessed them to all go back there and get
stuck all of a sudden? ... why this
year, and why all of them? ...