I've just happened to stumble upon this forum while I was browsing for koi sites. And "Monster Fish" is exactly what my three pet koi are, at least in the sense we're talking about aquarium fish, not pond fish. And believe me, they make quite an impression on any first time visitors to my flat. 
They were a gift from my grandfather when I was still a child, over 26 years ago! And they grew, and grew, and grew... from cute slender little koi fish to big, round, impressive fish that nearly can't fit the aquarium. 2 females and 1 male with the largest being around 40cm ( +-15,7 inches) long, which is almost the width of the aquarium! Their weight now ranges 4~6 kg (9-13 pounds). Although, let's face it, if they were kept in an outdoor pond they'd be much much bigger. ^^
Unfortunately, I live in a flat, so the best I could afford was a 300 litre tank (+- 80 US gallons), with an external filter, and two double exit air pumps to feed a central bubble air curtain and corner two air stones. I don't use a heater, so I adjust feeding according to room temperature. They've been living in this aquarium for nearly 15 years now, they still grew on it but I think they won't grow any larger because of limited space and oxygen. I'm also aware that koi kept in aquariums don't live as long as outdoor fish, but still I try to keep them at the best condition possible and feed them professional food plus a variety of vegetables in spring and summer. Yes, forget about aquarium plants, only as a snack.
People ask me why I don't give them away to a pond owner, not only for their sake but also for mine, as their keeping became quite demanding... but let's face it... I just love them! I love their "massive beauty", being sprinkled with aquarium water when I feed them in the morning (they nearly jump out of the aquarium as if they haven't been fed in months, especially in warm weather, hehe) and I especially love the way they follow my every movement and the way one of the females "asks" me to pet her in the belly... yes, she's almost like a dog! Besides, they are a memento of my grandfather, who has already passed away...
Smaller tropical aquarium fish are pretty and easier to maintain, true, but keeping a "monster fish" is a unique experience on its own, besides seeing the expression people make when see them for the first time is quite priceless!!!!
That is why, I thought it would be fun to join this forum dedicated to "monster fish". I realize this is mainly a US forum, but our love for our special fish is universal, and so, here I am, saying hello to everyone from sunny Portugal. And we also have some native "monster" fresh water fish around here, e.g. carps, pikes and eels.
Besides my monster fish, I also have a couple of smaller tropical aquaria, a terrarium with two 16 year old box turtles and several pet birds... and no, no cats and no dogs. And no children either, my hands are already full.
They were a gift from my grandfather when I was still a child, over 26 years ago! And they grew, and grew, and grew... from cute slender little koi fish to big, round, impressive fish that nearly can't fit the aquarium. 2 females and 1 male with the largest being around 40cm ( +-15,7 inches) long, which is almost the width of the aquarium! Their weight now ranges 4~6 kg (9-13 pounds). Although, let's face it, if they were kept in an outdoor pond they'd be much much bigger. ^^
Unfortunately, I live in a flat, so the best I could afford was a 300 litre tank (+- 80 US gallons), with an external filter, and two double exit air pumps to feed a central bubble air curtain and corner two air stones. I don't use a heater, so I adjust feeding according to room temperature. They've been living in this aquarium for nearly 15 years now, they still grew on it but I think they won't grow any larger because of limited space and oxygen. I'm also aware that koi kept in aquariums don't live as long as outdoor fish, but still I try to keep them at the best condition possible and feed them professional food plus a variety of vegetables in spring and summer. Yes, forget about aquarium plants, only as a snack.
People ask me why I don't give them away to a pond owner, not only for their sake but also for mine, as their keeping became quite demanding... but let's face it... I just love them! I love their "massive beauty", being sprinkled with aquarium water when I feed them in the morning (they nearly jump out of the aquarium as if they haven't been fed in months, especially in warm weather, hehe) and I especially love the way they follow my every movement and the way one of the females "asks" me to pet her in the belly... yes, she's almost like a dog! Besides, they are a memento of my grandfather, who has already passed away...
Smaller tropical aquarium fish are pretty and easier to maintain, true, but keeping a "monster fish" is a unique experience on its own, besides seeing the expression people make when see them for the first time is quite priceless!!!!
That is why, I thought it would be fun to join this forum dedicated to "monster fish". I realize this is mainly a US forum, but our love for our special fish is universal, and so, here I am, saying hello to everyone from sunny Portugal. And we also have some native "monster" fresh water fish around here, e.g. carps, pikes and eels.
Besides my monster fish, I also have a couple of smaller tropical aquaria, a terrarium with two 16 year old box turtles and several pet birds... and no, no cats and no dogs. And no children either, my hands are already full.
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