CHARLES AND MYRTLE Johnson, both 72 years old, enjoy their large, deep fish tank that they had installed in their home soon after moving from Longview to Vancouver one year ago. Photo by Steve Kadel
THE JOHNSONS, Charles and Myrtle, had a large, deep fish tank installed at their home soon after moving from Longview to Vancouver one year ago. It houses about 100 fish and brings joy to their family and friends. Photo courtesy of Viki Eierdam
ONE OF THE two albino weather loaches taking up residence in the Johnsons’ tank is shown here. This fish is approximately two-and-one-half-feet long and weighs 15 pounds. Photo courtesy of Viki Eierdam
AFFECTIONATELY NAMED “Lurch,’’ this mostly black koi measures in at two-feet long and weighs approximately 18 pounds. Photo courtesy of Viki Eierdam
Some people love to travel to far off destinations, lie in the sun and listen to the sound of water cascading over rocks or take a trip to a seaside destination to view exotic-looking fish in aquariums. Some people just bring that all to them so they don’t have to venture any farther than their back patio for a similar experience.
Vancouver couple Charles and Myrtle (nicknamed Sam) Johnson, both 72 years old, decided they’d rather enjoy the feeling of getting away from it all without ever having to and they are the proud owners of an outdoor tank that measures 14-feet long, by 10-feet wide, by 7-feet deep and houses approximately 100 fish.
“They’re soothing and they’re an adventure and, if you buy feeder fish, they’re not that expensive,” Myrtle said.
This wasn’t their first introduction to fish tanks on a grand scale, though it is their largest to date. Charles was born and raised in Longview where he lived until the couple moved to Vancouver a year ago. The home they lived in up north had an in-ground fish pond that had been sitting there since the 1940s. The fish were dying due to poor upkeep and an improper filtration system. Charles took an old hot tub they weren’t using, filled it with cold water and transferred the fish while he worked on a better solution. The end result was a tank longer than what they have now but at a depth of only three feet.
Looking at their current pond, it’s hard to believe it hasn’t always been there. Once it was up and running, it took the Johnsons four days to move their fish from Longview to Vancouver and they didn’t lose any in the process.
Charles, who retired from the Port of Longview as a longshoreman after over 47 years, just completed a porch off the right side of the tank to match the one he built off the left side. He was the mastermind behind the design of the pond but employed professionals to construct it.
Shorty’s Nursery in Vancouver recommended people who build their waterfalls. Charles oversaw the work, which took about 45 days to complete the project.
The star attractions in the tank are the two albino weather loaches that were about two to three inches in length when purchased, much like all the rest of the fish that the Johnsons own. Charles estimates that they’re about two-and-one-half-feet long now and weigh about 15 pounds each. A quick internet search uncovered that albino weather loach typically top out at 10 inches, which just goes to show how healthy and well-cared for the Johnson tank is.
Thirty-two koi populate the pond, as well. This reporter’s favorite, Lurch, is predominantly black, a big ham for the camera, and measures approximately two feet and weighs in at an impressive 18 pounds. The koi were purchased from a koi farm in Battle Ground that is no longer in business. Koi are known to be a pricier fish but Myrtle said that they weren’t picky and didn’t want large ones so the owner just scooped some little ones up from an area of the hatchery. She figures they’ve spent about $500 on fish over the years.
Rounding out the cast of carp are common goldfish that, again, are not run-of-the-mill size-wise. Fish are known to grow larger as their space increases and it’s clear they’re all thriving in a healthy environment created just for them. Myrtle pointed out that goldfish are heartier than koi.
Years ago, the Johnsons had a problem with their filtration system when they were away. Without oxygen circulating via the water feature, the seven koi eventually died but the goldfish came through unscathed. Their current system cycles the water 10,000 gallons per hour.
Myrtle gave some tips for choosing fish in a store.
“There’s not much to that. If they’re moving good in the tank you look to see if the fins have damage to them. If the fish aren’t active, they’re not healthy,” she said.
“When the sun hits the water, you can see the oxygen bubbles come up through algae and know you have a healthy tank,” Charles added.
