Proper Koi Pond Design is the Number One Way Protect Your Fish From Koi Predators
The best way to protect your fish from Koi predators is with a well thought out Koi pond design.
There are several excellent ways to protect your Koi naturally, so that you don't have to resort to purchasing decoys and awkward, unsightly nets.
There is nothing wrong with using pond netting, though it can make caring for your fish less convenient and ruin the aesthetics of your pond.
However, if due to less than optimal Koi pond design you find that netting is the only way to keep your fish safe, then you may have no other choice.
Motion triggered sprinklers and decoys will interfere less with the enjoyment of your pond but can be unnecessarily costly to purchase.
As far as protecting your Koi, your pond should be no less than 3 feet deep and many experts recommend no less than 4 feet.
Any area that is shallower than 2 feet is an open invitation to both blue herons and raccoons for "easy pickings".
In fact, even a single safety step to help you get out of the pond, that is less than 2 feet deep, can cost you most of your fish.
Do not place shelves for plants in your pond! You can always hang potted plants over the side with wires to support them.
You can also choose floating or marginal plants to enhance the beauty and ecological function of your Koi pond design.
If you plan to keep Koi in your pond you will want to avoid having the edges of your pond taper, or slope, in towards the bottom.
The sides should go almost straight down.
If you do allow the sides to slope towards the bottom, don't think that your fish will be safe just because you build a "deep area" for the fish with a cave where they can hide.
The blue heron will wade out into the water, stand perfectly still, wait patiently for the Koi to come out and then strike.
In addition to a Koi pond design with adequate depth and proper slope you can be strategic with your choice and placement of Koi pond plants.
As well as providing a hiding place from predators they provide shade, pond oxygenation, ambient water temperature moderation and help with algae control.
If you already have your pond in place you may not be able to do much if it doesn't have the optimal design.
You can, however, add strategically placed plants and some of the other accessories that are available on the market.
These can help considerably.
But with that said, building a deep pond with steep sides is still your best defense against Koi predators!
There are several excellent ways to protect your Koi naturally, so that you don't have to resort to purchasing decoys and awkward, unsightly nets.
There is nothing wrong with using pond netting, though it can make caring for your fish less convenient and ruin the aesthetics of your pond.
However, if due to less than optimal Koi pond design you find that netting is the only way to keep your fish safe, then you may have no other choice.
Motion triggered sprinklers and decoys will interfere less with the enjoyment of your pond but can be unnecessarily costly to purchase.
As far as protecting your Koi, your pond should be no less than 3 feet deep and many experts recommend no less than 4 feet.
Any area that is shallower than 2 feet is an open invitation to both blue herons and raccoons for "easy pickings".
In fact, even a single safety step to help you get out of the pond, that is less than 2 feet deep, can cost you most of your fish.
Do not place shelves for plants in your pond! You can always hang potted plants over the side with wires to support them.
You can also choose floating or marginal plants to enhance the beauty and ecological function of your Koi pond design.
If you plan to keep Koi in your pond you will want to avoid having the edges of your pond taper, or slope, in towards the bottom.
The sides should go almost straight down.
If you do allow the sides to slope towards the bottom, don't think that your fish will be safe just because you build a "deep area" for the fish with a cave where they can hide.
The blue heron will wade out into the water, stand perfectly still, wait patiently for the Koi to come out and then strike.
In addition to a Koi pond design with adequate depth and proper slope you can be strategic with your choice and placement of Koi pond plants.
As well as providing a hiding place from predators they provide shade, pond oxygenation, ambient water temperature moderation and help with algae control.
If you already have your pond in place you may not be able to do much if it doesn't have the optimal design.
You can, however, add strategically placed plants and some of the other accessories that are available on the market.
These can help considerably.
But with that said, building a deep pond with steep sides is still your best defense against Koi predators!
Source...