Koi died together in the pond of an earth god temple in Taichung, Taiwan. A man who scattered so-called crystal beads, which swell greatly when they absorb water, in the belief they were fish food has been identified as the cause.
The beads are decorative and horticultural products made of superabsorbent polymer that can expand dozens of times in volume when soaked. Swallowed by fish, they expand in the digestive tract and can cause intestinal obstruction.
광고 문의 · 300×250A temple official said the fish in the pond surfaced within a short time. Police and the responsible agency are establishing intent and the scale of loss, and the man is reported to have said he mistook the beads for feed.
These products are especially dangerous when swallowed by children. Expansion inside the body can block the intestine and require emergency surgery, and because the beads show poorly on X-rays, diagnosis is sometimes delayed, a warning issued repeatedly.
They are commonly used at home as vase decoration or in sensory play. Because they are brightly colored and similar in size to candy, pediatricians advise families with infants to be careful where they are stored.
Putting anything into a pond or aquarium without permission is itself criticized. Ornamental fish are sensitive to water quality and feed, and even a small quantity of foreign material can lead to mass die-offs.
