Koi don’t have to break the bank

RE “In a Watery Landscape, Flowers That Swim” [Jan. 4]: Part of this story represented what I’ve heard referred to as “koi snobs”: unnecessary glorification of the presentation of fish. After seeing beautiful and huge koi swimming wild in lakes and rivers in Japan, I just don’t take koi snobs seriously.

Please, it’s a hobby! And like any hobby, one may spend a modest or an incredible amount of money to satisfy one’s wants, but I think this article went far overboard on the top end.

Our koi began in a galvanized stock tank, 7 feet wide and nearly 3 feet deep, with a simple biological and mechanical filtration system to keep the water chemistry balanced. We started out with an assortment of $10 and $35 fish, and now we have salmon-sized beauties of many patterns and colors. They are not distinguished bloodlines, but we love them -- and we don’t excessively worry about cranes, raccoons or marauding cats eating our investments.

Koi are living jewels, and like art, koi don’t have to be expensive if they make you feel happy.

KAREN BRADFORD

Mira Loma