Mouse's Hangout

[Vivianne]

I think they have to be trained to be friendly.

Our pond was here when we moved in. It already had koi, and those were very shy. That set died in the aftermath of a hurricane.

Then we slowly repopulated the pond, and the new fish were/are just as skittish.

We don’t exactly go to extreme lengths to raise our koi. We feed them and take care of the pond, but we don’t intentionally breed them. I think a dog or cat would be more work.

Honestly, when it comes to effort, I’d like to ask why do people expend the effort to keep pets? Our original koi came with the house and happened to fit into our lifestyle and we grew attached. For us, they made sense.

[galled]

Now that you say that my neighbor with the koi was an older woman and think they were like her dogs to her. She couldn't go out and walk them (yes, dogs and cats are probably more work) so koi made sense in that regard. Each koi had a name and I could swear they could hear us talk to them. She'd call them and it looked like they'd come over by name. I suspect she spent a lot of time with them and maybe that's all part of it. I think they can live a pretty long time.

All I can say is the first time she introduced me, it seemed magical. I never knew any of that was possible with a fish.


EDIT:
OK, I'm not dreaming or projecting my wild imagination on the koi! It seems koi are capable and these are known characteristics of the species. They even compare them to dogs!

https://nualgiponds.com/koi-fish-happiness-hand-feeding/

[Vivianne]

Yeah, if koi are taken care of properly, I think they can live at least 75 years.

I’m glad your neighbor had such a wonderful relationship with her koi! Koi are very soothing to watch. Even ours, who ungratefully swim away from us and hate being taken on walks*.

I think koi are always magical. Do you know if your neighbor had butterfly koi? (Kind of wispy fins)

*we don’t walk our koi. Please don’t try unless you literally have a fish tank in a wagon.

[Akuyi]

I think we should put Akuyi on trial
If you don't keep the hair on..........ill do something evil!!!

How evil?

Cats do eat birds

Well, since I am not a bird anymore, I'm safe, right? Oh, how about I offer this gingerbread penguin instead!

Do any of you play mmos?

I used to play Flyff, Eden Eternal and Blade & Soul, but right now I'm too addicted to VR. If Rec Room counts, I'm playing that a LOT, haha!

[Vivianne]

How dare you suggest a pengwing be sacrificed!!!

[MissAutumn]

I had no idea about that these Koi facts. You wouldn't think they could live for several decades.

Akuyi, has removed the hair and is now threatening the Pengwings! So evil!

[Vivianne]

Several decades is their longest possible lifespan, I think. I believe budgies can live a long time, too?

Make Aku wear a pengwing costume, maybe?

[galled]

Haha, walk them in a wagon!

Yes, they're the ones with the huge tails. They flow in the water like water fairies doing a ballet. They really are magical looking!

The one that shocked me are how long ant live for! I thought they'd live months or perhaps a year or so at most. Nope. OMG! Black ants can life for 15 years!!!!!

[Vivianne]

15 years??? Ants???

That’s alarming. No wonder they can build elaborate hills.

[MissAutumn]

Budgies can live to about 10 years on average. I think the oldest living budgie got into their late 20s! I hope my budgie gets to 10 but not sure if he will. He has a weak immune system caused by an incurable disease called PBFD. It killed off my other budgie earlier this year.

Good idea for a punishment.

I never seen a Koi in real life but they look so beautiful in pictures.

Wait 15 years for an ant! What?! That's amazing!

[galled]

Amazing and it freaks me out too!!

https://www.peststrategies.com/pest-gui ... ants-live/

[Akuyi]

Do you always worship your gingerbread instead of eating it?

[Vivianne]

Who said anything about worship?

[Akuyi]

Me!

[Vivianne]

Clearly your titles are getting to your head...