The Colorful Guardians of the Pond
If you’ve wandered past the pond near the pool area, you’ve probably noticed flashes of orange, white, black, and gold gliding gracefully beneath the water. For many guests, stopping to watch the Koi has become a peaceful Harbin tradition. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have been coming for years, these beautiful fish have a story worth knowing.
Our Koi have called Harbin home for close to a decade.
After the 2015 Valley Fire, the pond itself survived, along with a few of the fish that lived there at the time. The surviving fish were adopted by Harbin residents. During Harbin’s rebuilding, the pond was carefully restored, and its outer rock edge was raised a couple of inches as an added measure of protection.
Not long afterward, Garden Department Manager Nick and Garden team member Frankie made a memorable trip to a pond and garden center in Sebastopol to help repopulate the pond. Armed with a $200 budget, they quickly fell in love with more fish than the budget allowed. They ended up spending nearly $700, with Nick and Frankie generously covering the difference themselves to bring home the Koi they felt belonged at Harbin.
Sadly, one beautiful all-black Koi named Sidviscous passed away shortly after arriving. Today, eleven Koi continue to thrive in the pond.
The pond is also home to several smaller fish. Two comets and two colorful shubunkins, which were lovingly gifted by Frankie’s father.
While not every fish has a name, several have become familiar personalities:
All of the Koi are female and are now about 10 to 11 years old. When they first arrived at Harbin, they measured only about nine inches long. Today, many have grown to an impressive 18 inches.
The Garden Department lovingly cares for the pond, feeding the fish a carefully balanced diet that keeps them healthy and thriving.
One thing they ask of all guests is simple: please don’t feed the fish. While it may seem like a kind gesture, the Koi receive specialized food in the proper amounts, and additional snacks can be harmful to their health.
There’s another reason to avoid feeding wildlife around the pond. Raccoons have attempted to prey on the Koi in the past. Feeding raccoons encourages them to return, putting the fish at greater risk.
One of the greatest joys for the Garden team is watching children discover the Koi. It’s not uncommon to see little ones leaning over the pond’s edge with wide eyes, excitedly pointing out their favorite fish as they glide through the water. These quiet moments of wonder are part of what makes Harbin so special.
The next time you pass by the pond, take a few moments to slow down. Watch the graceful movements of Fishvara, Olivia, Precious, and the rest of the colorful residents. They’ve been part of Harbin’s story for many years, bringing beauty, peace, and smiles to guests of all ages.
And the best gift you can give them?
Simply enjoy them… and let the Garden Department take care of the rest.
