Day 225: The saga is finally over. The koi fish are free!

Yes, after nearly eight months in captivity, the koi fish belonging to Cuong Ly, owner of the China Rose restaurant in Freeport, are home once again.

"I am sure they are happy to be back," Ly said. "They can't talk but I can represent them. It's a happy day today."

Yes it is Mr. Ly, yes it is.

This wrong-headed misadventure by the Maine Department of Inland Fish & Wildlife has reached its proper conclusion. Not that it ever should have come this far to begin with.

But even so, the fish aren't really free, because Mr. Ly "must lock the tank and post a sign saying that koi are an invasive species and that a state permit is needed to keep them."

So the fish are really prisoners in a sense now, unable to come and go from a locked tank. And they are now publicly branded as "invasive". How that must trouble and embarrass them. Imagine the emotional distress! And the permit, the paperwork, the fees, well, that's just over the top.

Seriously, though the fish will really be fine, Mr. Ly emerges from this with a misdemeanor on his record and is some $20,000 poorer after fighting to save his precious koi. That isn't right.

And what did this episode cost the state? The taxpayers? An unnecessary bundle I'll bet.

But all that is water over the edge of the fish tank now. The pet koi fish are back and on display at the China Rose. And I can feel the good feng shui from here.

"I'm glad they're back," said Ly.

We are too sir.

Think I'll have to stop in for a visit to see the koi. And for couple of egg rolls, too, of course.