As the redevelopment of the Massapequa mall looms, new homes have been secured for its collection of koi fish that have been living in the mall’s pond for more than 25 years.

Koi, which have a life span of 40 to 50 years or longer and are Asian-bred members of the carp family, have become popular fish for home ponds and aquariums, Heinsohn said.

Varrone, who has been in the fish business 35 years and has a koi fish tattoo on his leg, said it has an on-site inventory of about 10,000 fish — some worth as much as $8,500.

Koi fish statues worth thousands of dollars stolen from outside store on Long Island By Lucy Yang, via Tuesday, October 3, 2023 ...

A koi fish seller says business is booming, thanks to his careful attention to detail. He sometimes visits 20 breeders a day to source fish that can sell for thousands. By Zahra Tayeb ...

At the spring 2007 census there were 50 Koi in the pond, 30 large and 20 smaller. Now only half a dozen or so live Koi remain, and their ability to survive is in serious doubt.