Koi and Victoria?

[PondmaninAL]

I hope some one can answer this. Has anyone ever put Victoria water lilies in the same pond as koi? If it's not been tried, then I will make it another experimental project.

Happy ponding,
Scott

[perplexed ponder]

Is victoria the HUGE one with the spikes on the bottom of the leaves?

[Joyce]

Victoria has thorns every where except on top of the pads, and the blooms.

I grew mine with koi, and had no problems.

[JoshS]

I've done it for a number of years.  The koi will learn to leave the thorns alone...just be sure there is enough room to feed them where they don't have to go after food among the thorny pads.  Koi are rambunctious feeders and could get pricked if they go flopping in the pads.  Then they get skittish.

The biggest danger is if a koi jumps up onto a pad.  The raised lip makes it difficult to get back into the water.  I have a friend who lost a large koi because of this.  I did lose a small goldfish like this last year, but that was a first for me.

Over all, they are compatible.

[Bonnie]

Don't fish get damaged when spawning ?

[PondmaninAL]

Thanks everyone. I plan to dwarf some V. amazonica and V. cruzianna. I was worried about the fish as much as the plants. I will give them some cover that they won't devour.

Happy ponding,
Scott

[JoshS]

Don't fish get damaged when spawning ?

It's never been a problem for me, but I guess it could be.  I guess it never crossed my mind, because spawning is usually finished before it is warm enough for the Vics to go out.