I read that koi need leaves to attach their eggs to. Obviously any plant would have to have some of it growing underwater. Since my pond has a concrete bottom, I will need to pot some plants. Can anyone tell me which plants would be good for the koi and grow in pots in my pond?
Beautiful pond and garden! Thank you for sharing the pic with us.
I do not have much experience with Koi as mine were just old enough this year to spawn. I know that goldfish will fling eggs anywhere and are not at all particular about it. They do seem to enjoy the feathery roots of water lettuce and water hyacinth. You might try parrots feather or some other types of aquarium plants that have a lot of texture for the eggs to adhere to.
Love your pond-did you do it yourself and how long has it matured (plants)? The whole thing is beautiful!
It was about 2 years old when this shot was taken. You can only see the small waterfall, the larger one is out of the picture up front. My koi ate the water hyacinths, Can parrott's feather have a lot of leaves submerged for the koi to stick their eggs to?
another picture of the small waterfall with my husband's thumb in the way, lol
Woodspirit,
When the koi breed, they will breed against the sides of your pond. Anything that you have growing towards the surface of the pond, they will use. The eggs are sticky and will adhere to anything. I have read where koi will breed in waterlily pads that are floating on the surface of the pond. So, you could either put in some waterlilies in pots, or plant something so that it will trail into your pond, they should provide some nice bedding material for your fish to breed upon. We have vinca, creeping jenny and water celery all creeping into the pond.
Also bear in mind that the fish will eat the eggs as soon as they are finished breeding, so if you want to save the eggs then you will need to have something set up to separate out the eggs from the adult fish.
Good luck to you.
Carolyn
They bred on the creeping jenny. Only one survivor because we didn't know to separate them out. We didn't see the eggs. I have the vinca but don't know water celery.
The eggs are small, almost clear and almost have an iridecence - (I saw masses of them this morning in the algae when I was leaving the house this morning)http://pets.webshots.com/album/324250323oaudBj
Water celery is a wonderful creeper and you can get it in the tri color and just green. It is a favorite of mine. Here is a link to water celery. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/80775/
Carolyn
