C A A S

[KeithAtFintastic]

Our first batch of winter hardy bog and marginal plants and lilies arrived today! We focused on plants that can handle the occasional nights in the 40s that we're still likely to see for the next 3 weeks or so.

We also have our koi and pond goldfish fully stocked, BUT we are recommending that they not be put outside until nighttime temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees. Typically that's around April 20th.

[Penycat]

K since they are a cold water fish and I've had goldies outside all winter and they are doing just fine...I'm wondering why kois can't go out all winter? Are they that much different than goldfish? Not trying to be ornery, just wondering as I've never had koi......yet

[trechills]

[KeithAtFintastic]

Koi hibernate in the winter; they mostly shut down their metabolism and survive til it warms up again. This requires some major changes in their physiology, which they accomplish gradually and seasonally as it cools down. A koi suddenly exposed to cold water, that has not been able to make those changes, will frequently get sick or die. Goldfish go through a lot of the same changes but don't exactly hibernate; they continue a low level of activity even under the ice.

So the fish that have been outside all along are fine, but tossing one of our koi outside while the water may still drop below 55, is not safe.

[Penycat]

ahhh that makes sense:) Thank you! I needed to figure that out in the blondness of my mind:) Thanks Keith!

[zero]

Keith, I was about to say the same thing!
Koi are native to East Asia as you all should know, and that means they can withstand tep. down to 32deg.