Number of Fishes

[myfs_78405]

Hi Cecil,
To avoid mosquito's breeding in my fountain, I decided to rear some fishes. could you please advise what is the minimum number of fishes I should have though I heard that having 9 fishes is good for feng shui. Nevertheless, I do not wish to have many fishes.
Your advise, pls.
Thank you.
Nina

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Nina,
1. One alternative is to purchase mosquito lavae grandules especially from plant nurseries located all over the island. A bottle or packet costs between S$3.50 to S$4.50.
2. A table-spoon of it can last a few weeks.
3. On the topic of fishes:
Frankly, there are quite alot of interpretations as to the number of fishes:-
1. Yin and Yang concept
Water is considered yin (soft). Yin is also represented by even numbers e.g. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 etc...
To balance the water in say a fish tank, one concept is to go for odd number fishes. As odd numbers represent Yang.
Thus, there is both yin and yang.
Yang is represented by odd numbers e.g. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 etc..
4. A fish tank usually hold one lone dragon fish. (Although, they are territorial, one fish is considered yang). Thus in a fish tank, there is yin and yang.
5. For a small fountain, such a fish (dragon fish) or koi fish are not suitable since they require lots of space e.g. depth and width.
6. This point is not Feng Shui. But if you are going to rear fish, perhaps, you may need to change the fountain pump to a fish tank filter/pump instead.
As a fountain pump simply pushes water into a rotating fan. And a small fish may end up being minced to pieces, much like smashed sardine spread.
7. For a fountain, it is best to go for all 5 elements:
water in the tank (really water)
fire = lighting
wood = a water plant or place a plant next to the fountain
earth = the objects e.g. stone in the fountain
metal = best if the fountain has rounded shape. (Round represent metal element).
Since goldfish (or rancho - Japanese name for goldfish )is considered as metal element, in my opinion, it is really not necessary to go for any specific number of fishes. Especially if metal (ruound) is already present.
The rationale for not giving a specific number of fishes is that more often, one or two fishes may inadvertenly die. And it would certainly be a hassle replacing them each time one dies. Most likely, one may end up giving up on the fish(es).
Another consideration is that in many instances, gold fish may last (depending on the cleanliness of the water: 6 months to 1 year.
I hope that you do not take me as not loving fishes but, if the pond is not cleaned weekly, there may be a `fishy smell'.
In my opinion, a fountain, is not made to house fish. As, it may not be easy to clean.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 11/5/2002 2:21:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Hi Cecil,
To avoid mosquito's breeding
in my fountain, I decided to
rear some fishes. could you
please advise what is the
minimum number of fishes I
should have though I heard
that having 9 fishes is good
for feng shui. Nevertheless,
I do not wish to have many
fishes.
Your advise, pls.
Thank you.
Nina