First-time koi pond enthusiasts may have learned the hard
way that koi love to browse the plants and roots of pond vegetation. When
introducing koi into a pond already established with plants, the browsing may
be manageable. But plants added to a pond already filled with koi can be
problematic. Koi cannot resist the temptation to eat newly arrived plant
delicacies.
What’s a pond owner to do? Keep reading to learn more about
how to keep plants safe from koi fish.
Koi Proofing Pond Plants
Koi pond owners do have options regarding the plant
decimation. Some enthusiasts simply eliminate plants from the pond, opting
instead to landscape the perimeter of the pond only. However, in locations with
warm summers, plant cover is essential in keeping water temperature lower and koi
comfortable. Plants also provide hiding and spawning areas and assist with
filtration.
Maintaining a number of diverse plants in the pond, including surface, emerging, and submerged plants, may prevent widespread foraging damage by koi. Consider a plant such as coontail planted at the bottom of the pond with its roots covered with rocks for protection. For plants with roots below water level and foliage above water, such as water lilies, koi may nibble the roots. Plant them in oversized containers topped off with gravel.
If you add plants to a koi pond when the fish are already
present, it is best to add a group of plants at once, rather than one or two at
a time. That way, no one plant is quickly consumed by curious koi.
Some pond enthusiasts keep plants safe from koi by enclosing pond plants in a cage-like structure. Materials such as PVC coated wire, plastic mesh, or net are ideal. For floating plants, make a cage that floats. You could even try a floating wetland if your backyard pond is large enough.
Another option is to research plants koi won’t eat. Suggestions include the floating-plant water lettuce, the large-leaved lotus plant, the yellow-flowered water poppy, and the eye-catching umbrella plant. Koi tend to ignore these plants in favor of more palatable choices.
Another tip: Try feeding
the fish several small meals a day to help divert their penchant for
vegetation.
Taking care to choose the right kind of plants, protecting their roots with gravel, maintaining ample vegetation, and enclosing plants with cages can help your koi coexist with greenery.
cages can help your koi coexist with greenery.