KOI scared of new object near pond????

[gglemons]

Our 6 week old pond and KOI have been going along well UNTIL today we placed a round object (actually its one of those round fibreglass fire pits that we got just for aesthetics and no to be used) at one end of the rectangular pond sitting on the external pumps timber housing I built. It does not intrude above the pond but sits above the water level to one side and I suppose casts a shadow of some sort. This is the 1st evening that they have hid bunched together at the other end and won't come out to eat, so are they that sensitive that they fear the round fire pit maybe a threat to them?????

 

[Lisak1]

What would you do if an object were suddenly and inexplicably looming overhead? Especially when your instincts tell you being napped from above is an ever present danger?

They will relax once they realize there’s no actual danger. That’s not “sensitive” - that’s called survival.

Welcome to the GPf! Tell us more about your pond.

 

[Mmathis]

That’s a normal “prey” response — staying safe from potential predators. They’ll eventually get used to it.