Hi all!
Not sure how I felt about this, but was interesting to observe.
I went for a trek to Lanecove river last week, had travelled around 4 kilometers from the last house, when I came across are very large natural pond. It would have been at least 300m2 in surface area. I was surprised it wasn't represented on any local maps, the creek is which leeds to Lanecove river, but the pond is not.
Whilst taking some shots of the area, I was investing in my new strategy of putting myself / camera at slight risk in order to achieve unusual shots.
So there I was, over the creek / pond on a tree limb snapping away when an orange object started approaching in the brownish water.
A Coi, a large Coi, it was atleast 40cm. I would have to say it was the largest I have seen first hand.
It looked very healthy and seemed to be social, as it swam around directly under me for the time I spent on the limb. The creek channels the water from the surrounding hills and valley to Lane cove river and thus swells up, 10 meters (

) as was proven by observing high water marks and plastic bottles located high up in the banks trees. In fact I located a natural bottle collection point well above the visible high water line, it was a natural hollow made by two large slab rocks, inside I found over 200 bottles trapped. I plan on returning and removing the rubbish on my travels there again.
I'm surprised this fish doesn't get obliterated in the pond by heavy flood waters, so hence it was a bit remarkable it was surviving well even if it is considered an alien species.
Anyway, thought I would share this slightly unusual event.