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Hi Bob, Thank you for such a prompt reply!
I admit I was a little depressed though! I can't believe I
had such flawed info. When I put the fish in the pond (yes,
it was Feb.), the temp was about 50, and 2 different people
said to just float them in their bag awhile to acclimate and
they'll be fine. I also was told they'd take care of themselves
and no feeding, my wife was skepticle on both counts! Needless
to say I went out and bought a new toliet brush and took the
old one down to the pond to scoop out the algae like you said,
I taped it on a painting pole, looks better already! You mentioned
feeding, we have a long finned indoor goldfish that gets fed
every day, do I have to feed the pond fish like that? Year
round? I sprinkled some in yesterday and the few I saw weren't
interested. But it was real cold and they don't move much.
By the way last week it warmed up to about
45 and I saw a whole bunch, maybe 20, which led me to believe
they're "layin' low'. Is this true? There are a lot of places
to hide in the grassy areas and also under the banks of the
stream bed, sometimes I don't see any unless I stand still
for awhile and then they come out. As far as predation goes,
I've been watching for 'coon tracks, haven't seen any, and
the pond is fed by 2 different underground streams so no other
fish can get in. Which also means a fairly constant temp.
right? I built the pond at the "Y" which makes it longer than
I told you, approx 20', but it tapers up.
For some background the stream is at the bottom of land we
cleared for horse pasture last year, we're hoping to have
the horses in by summer. This started my whole idea of the
dam for a year round pool of water for them. One of the horses
likes to stomp in the water though so the fish better hold
on! Which also means nothing artificial for algae control.
As far as the catfish idea, I don't think I could find him
to bring him in for the winter, besides more work, and another
aquarium. How about if I threw in a handful of snails or something?
Who are the garbage men of a pond? I'd
like a mini ecosystem. I'm sorry, this is getting long, but
2 more quick questions...How many fish will a pond this size
support? I've seen at least 2 frogs in there, are they eating
the fish? I know there are turtles on the property and won't
be far behind...they don't call them "feeder fish" for nothing
right? Thank you so much for helping out a novice ponder!!
Jimi
Jimi
Phoenixville, PA
Hi again, Jimi!
If your water temp was 50 degrees, you
are probably okay, if the fish had time to acclimate.
As long as your water temp is 45 degrees
or below DO NOT FEED! The fish can't digest what you are giving
them.
Snails won't eat hair algae either. Actually,
nothing will.
I have no idea how many fish your pond
will support, but your best bet now will be to stand pat for
a season and watch.
If your frogs are bullfrogs, they are high-end
predators, and will eat small fish. As they grow, they'll
start going after small rodents and birds too. You'll recognise
them by their smooth backs. If what you have is green frogs,
they only eat insects and make fine neighbors. They have a
fold or ridge of skin down both sides of their body from tympanum
to tail.
Turtles will eat anything they can catch.
Don't worry about not seeing raccoons.
They'll find you. Count on it.
Remember that goldfish are randy little
buggers. As soon as the water warms up, they'll start spawning.
You'll be hoping for raccoons at that point! Your constant
supply of fresh water makes the upper level of fish population
very difficult to judge. It may have no effective upper limit
except that conferred by crowding and disease.
Bob Passovoy
President
MPKS
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