The orient has known the value of koi for centuries. The beauty, the grace, the serene patience in existence expressed in these fish is inestimable. The butterfly koi, with their long veil like fins, move as dancers in a divine choreography. It's true they are catfish in pedigree, but bottom dwellers can often rise to the top with flash and flair. Koi are all about flash and flair. A whip to the left and right with their stout tails can impress anyone who has done laps in a pool. A swimmer's racing turn is awkward and lazy when matched against a playful or hungry koi.
Our Tularosa koi pond is home to one of the Kings of Koi. Big Daddy is his name and swimming is his game. He lolls about the pond tickling himself on the lily pads, or tucks himself away in the pond weeds to find some quiet meditation. When the waterfall is running his steadies himself under the falling water. He gulps water and air with delight.
Big Daddy is a lesson in survival. When we finished the pond we had no clue what the steps were to introduce koi to the new water park. We had expert advice that was all over the map. Like nurseries, everyone seemed to have an answer. The answers were as varied as the advisers, so we set out to find our own way following guidance from a variety of sources. First we added chemicals, but that killed the fish, even though the directions said it was safe for koi.We would see our error and start again and there, in all his colorful presence, was Big Daddy, Survivor, a small fry by koi standards, but that was in the early days. He kept his head down, so to speak, and each disastrous attempt to keep the pond clear left him undeterred. He would swim with complete equanimity. He never missed a meal. Now, large and in charge, he commands the leading role to four other koi of various shades and sizes, three substantial goldfish and a multitude of mosquito fish. He is safe from our external assaults now that the pond is naturally balanced. It seems true that, if one third of the pond is covered in plants, the fish will thrive. Contrary to many assertions by experts the koi don't bother the plants. Everything seems to be set in balance with the simple plant to pond ratio in place. No expert, I recommend this approach to anyone seeking to naturally balance their pond. Also, having no filter is no problem. It's been five years since we filled our pond. Our koi keep on treading water with no signs of distress.
Finally, we arrive at the whole point of this koi pond blog entry, the beauty of koi with no signs of distress. Big Daddy, the master of the Zen of pond life is my hero. Everyday I walk out and witness perfect beingness. No rebellion, no restlessness, no moving away, no grass is greener, no impatience, no puffing up, no nothing, but the quiet assurance that all is right, right where he is. Having a pond with fish is the perfect lesson in moment to moment living. There is no struggle to bridge moment to moment. Big Daddy demonstrates a seamless existence that hints at a better understanding and sets an example for us all.
Ciao!
"Sibelius justified the austerity of his old age by saying that while other composers were engaged in manufacturing cocktails he offered the public pure cold water."
Neville Cardus
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