Ever notice the fish tanks with koi carp near the entrance in many Chinese restaurants? A friend told me that they are actually there to indicate (perhaps through the number or type of fish?) whether the restaurant owner has paid up to the local Chinese mafia (triad). Is there any truth to this or is it just another urban legend?
posted by sour cream on Aug 25, 2008 - 21 answers

What happened to 38 koi fish? Were they fishnapped or murdered? [more inside]
posted by clh on Jan 30, 2007 - 29 answers

My wife and I inherited a koi pond (about 8 by 3) or so with waterfall, when we purchased a house last month. The pump recently stopped working - it's a Speck Pump Model 90 - looks years old. We visited our local Garden Center and spoke to their pond guy and he gave us several things to try - none of which got the thing running again. Can any pond experts help me review a quote I got to have a new pump installed? [more inside]
posted by mmangano on Apr 13, 2006 - 8 answers