Kids clasping buckets of all sizes + colors stood alongside the iron fence. They were anxiously awaiting their turn to scoop up a fish from its home in the koi pond at Belle Isle. The children then walk along a tiny path and down the uneven stairs leading into the aquarium's basement. Buckets of fish are dumped into the holding tanks; this is the place where the koi will winter. This Detroit tradition is known as 'The Koi Transfer.'
The transfer happens twice a year, once in the fall and then again in the spring. In November, the brightly colored fish are brought into the basement under the aquarium for safekeeping during those cold winter months we all know and love. In May, the koi are scooped up from their home away from home- the tanks- and are transported back into their pristine pond where they can swim with reckless abandon once again.
To help them in their journey to & fro, Belle Isle has enlisted the help of area residents in this unique endeavor.
Here's how it goes down:
But wait- There's More! Click 'Read More' to get the full scoop... ↓↓↓
The transfer happens twice a year, once in the fall and then again in the spring. In November, the brightly colored fish are brought into the basement under the aquarium for safekeeping during those cold winter months we all know and love. In May, the koi are scooped up from their home away from home- the tanks- and are transported back into their pristine pond where they can swim with reckless abandon once again.
To help them in their journey to & fro, Belle Isle has enlisted the help of area residents in this unique endeavor.
Here's how it goes down:
But wait- There's More! Click 'Read More' to get the full scoop... ↓↓↓
Volunteers armed with nets capture koi as they speed through the murky water. Line up with a bucket; once it is your turn, someone will fill the bucket with water while another drops a fish into its temporary transportation system.
Now you're on your way. Take the path through the garden and make a left down a set of stairs. It's the basement of the aquarium, and man, is it spooky. Helpful guides strategically positioned will direct you toward the watery holding cells.
Dump the koi, which you've named 'Goldie,' into its new home and you're done. Good job. Collect your reward which includes haute dawgs fresh off-the-grill, some Detroit classics like Better Made chips and Faygo, find yourself a nice spot on a bench or around a table and discuss all the fun you had transferring Goldie to her new home in the basement.
Now you're on your way. Take the path through the garden and make a left down a set of stairs. It's the basement of the aquarium, and man, is it spooky. Helpful guides strategically positioned will direct you toward the watery holding cells.
Dump the koi, which you've named 'Goldie,' into its new home and you're done. Good job. Collect your reward which includes haute dawgs fresh off-the-grill, some Detroit classics like Better Made chips and Faygo, find yourself a nice spot on a bench or around a table and discuss all the fun you had transferring Goldie to her new home in the basement.
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