PG>> Carol, I have 4 of the big "goldfish". They're called Comits. And  they
 PG>> always seem to get along with other fish, both large & small.  But,
 PG>> they really like to chow down on plants. :)
 CS> Grin, thanks.  I think by accident, he is a Coi?  I went back to the
 CS> place I bought him and they are now registering that some sort of mixup
 CS> happened (before being sent to them I might add).  Not knowing any
 CS> better, I suspect I have a 'baby Coi'.
 CS> Now, I'm no expert by a long shot!  many the looks rule that out?  He
 CS> looks just like a large version of the traditional non-fantail 'gold'
 CS> goldfish.  Comets I thought were small fast versions of the traditional
 CS> non-fantail type?
I work part time for a large pet store that does carry pond fish and supplies 
(the livestock buyer is a pond person - started a local club for pond 
keepers). What you have may be a shubunkin. They do resemble koi (not Coi) 
somewhat. If the local dealer has any books on goldfish,see if they have any 
pictures of shubunkins in them. Shubunkins generally are seen in a calico 
form,but they also exist in in other colors as well.
Regarding ponds,as long as the pond is deep enough so that the lower portions 
don't freeze,the fish can be left in over the winter. In my area 
(Rochester,NY),that depth is generally something like 4 feet. If a pond is a 
possibility,check with other pond people in your area for specifics. A good 
place to locate info would be at a local garden center that handles pond 
plants (several do just that in this area).
--- Spot 1.3a Unregistered
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