Fish...Friendly....or not!

18 years ago

Greetings,

I'm curious what your thoughts are on this:

I put my pond in back in the 90's. I had Koi which were very easily trained to eat from my hand. Incredibly friendly and not really skittish or shy.

A couple years ago, a mink came into the pond during the winter and killed all the fish. I was so upset. I eventually purchased more Koi which I still have today. The problem is...I can NOT get these fish to eat from my hand or be comfortable with my presence. For the past 2 months I place the food right in front of me and I won't leave the pond until they eat. They are so skittish they eat a piece then swim off in a frantic motion scattering & scaring everyone.

Do any of you have any tips on how I can get these fish to relax and be more friendly as my first bunch were? I would love to have them eat out of my hands.

~Tj~

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Comments (4)

nkm56
18 years ago
How large or small are your fish and how long have you had them? Mine did not eat from my hand until they were about eight to twelve inches long. Until then, I think they felt vulnerable with me, this big creature, leaning over them. For a full year, they would rush up to the top, grab the food, and then rush back to the bottom. Some still won't eat from my hand but will come very close.

Last week, to my amazement, one of this spring's babies came up in my hand during feeding, a cute little black butterfly with white fins. I hold the food cupped in my hand and let it slowly drift out. They start out eating the drifting food, but eventually start coming up to my hand.
ladylotus
Original Author
18 years ago
Nancy,

Thanks for the reply. I have one that is about 11 inches long from last year, the others are all babies purchased this year. I would guess they are from 2" to 4". I hope you are right and if I keep feeding them as I did my prior fish they will eventually become used to me. But I have been trying to befriend them ALL summer.

Your black butterfly koi with white fins sounds just gorgeous. Most of my Koi are butterfly Koi also. I just love that elegant look with their flowing fins and graceful movements in the water.

I brought my Koi into my greenhouse pond for the winter. I have one fella left to catch. Let me tell you this....I had a workout just trying to net everybody. ha ha. But I don't want anything to get them during the winter. Also, this way I will be able to feed them all winter long. :)

~Tj~
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nkm56
18 years ago
I spent all morning two Saturdays ago in the pond trying to catch the babies that were spawned in the spring. They are fast little buggers! I caught about half of them and gave some of them to new homes to thin out the herd.

I think it will just take time and patience. Some fish just seem more shy than others. My largest, oldest fish will not eat out of my hand and if her mouth accidentally touches my hand when she comes close to feed, she'll whirl around dart away.

By bringing them in for the winter, maybe you'll be able to work with them longer. Good luck!
buyorsell888
18 years ago
Predators may be visiting your pond at night, keeping the fish skittish.