Brightly colored and patterned fish, distant relatives of carp, the koi in Colorado Belle Hotel Casino's moat are a popular attraction. Each year, thousands of visitors take time during their visits to watch the fish from the deck above the moat, believed to be the largest privately owned koi pond in the state of Nevada. Colorado Belle has been careful to provide a comfortable habitat for the fish-koi will live up to 60 years or more in a healthy environment.

In March, 2003, the moat underwent special maintenance to prepare for the breeding season. Plants were added to enhance the environment for the fish and special breeding mats are in place for female koi to deposit eggs. They are now spawning and the moat will soon be populated with koi fry.

CREATING A PLEASANT DIVERSION
Original plans for Colorado Belle's moat did not include koi. Several employees suggested that adding the colorful fish would be an interesting and pleasant diversion for guests, and a decision was made to purchase the fish. Special equipment necessary to filter the pond water was installed as a part of a general overhaul of the moat in 1997. Once the additions were made, it was stocked with 100 koi in a wide variety of patterns and colors. Over time, the fish have flourished, breeding in the shady areas created by the boat's enormous paddlewheels. Today there are hundreds of koi in the moat, some of which weigh 10 to 15 pounds. The largest koi are estimated to be approximately 24" long. Several are quite valuable, based on their color and markings. Informative posters with detailed information about various types of koi, their names and their markings are located at each of the three bridges over the moat.