Lookin for goldfish population control

[Wayfarin]

THIS POST IS FROM 3 YEARS AGO

Yeah, and I doubt that goldfish could remain overpopulated for that long. They have too many natural predators, including the ones mentioned, which probably showed up at the pond 3 years before I even posted this.

As for the koi, they were probably either digested and defecated by a predator 2 or 3 years ago, or are the size of small porpoises as I'm posting this!

 

[Moni_Pond]

Even though the post was old, I was happy to see it pop back up in new activity because overpopulation is an issue I have some concerns about as well.

 

[YShahar]

Even though the post was old, I was happy to see it pop back up in new activity because overpopulation is an issue I have some concerns about as well.

I've found that the Gambusias in my pond control the goldfish population rather thoroughly. In two years, only one sarassa goldfish made it out of the "too small to see" stage. He's now swimming with the big guys, but could still fall prey to a kingfisher.

 

[GBBUDD]

I thought my minnows that had absolutely exploded in population had not survived the winter. But as I was vacuuming the pond over the weekend. It seems I have all kinds of little ones showing. I introduced 8 rainbow fish. They are from the glow fish creator. And I happened to see 8 something all winter. But after vacuuming I now see a solid 25 somethings or other. God I hope they are not the minnows or a sunfish or blue gill will be joining the koi. I'd prefer a bass but he could eat my 6 inch koi. No beano

 

[Moni_Pond]

Minnows are unbelievably resilient aren’t they!? I already have new baby minnows this year - I think because we had some unusually warm weather in late winter.

 

[GBBUDD]

Yeah I was hoping for fishcycles

 

[hamstermann]

No beano

Do fish get gas?

 

[GBBUDD]

Yup they do badddddd gas them bellies can blow up.

 

[GBBUDD]

I'm pulling out all I can catch now remove 1 female will prevent me from having a 100 of her off spring each time she gets pregnant which looks like every month. I got to get a blue gill

 

[Wayfarin]

I've found that the Gambusias in my pond control the goldfish population rather thoroughly. In two years, only one sarassa goldfish made it out of the "too small to see" stage. He's now swimming with the big guys, but could still fall prey to a kingfisher.

Mosquitofish are much more predacious than the more omnivorous goldfish and minnows. They are somewhat territorial as well, and may even attack fish that are too big to eat. One female killed a juvenile fathead minnow in our 2-gallon drink dispenser. But in a spacious pond, this would probably only happen if the mosquitofish were themselves overpopulated.

 

[Wayfarin]

I'm pulling out all I can catch now remove 1 female will prevent me from having a 100 of her off spring each time she gets pregnant which looks like every month. I got to get a blue gill

Be warned that sunfish may be aggressive, though. They sometimes harass large fishes like goldfish, though they are generally more intolerant of their own species.
Green sunfish would be the worst choice. Bluegills are a bit better.

 

[Moni_Pond]

Be warned that sunfish may be aggressive, though. They sometimes harass large fishes like goldfish, though they are generally more intolerant of their own species.
Green sunfish would be the worst choice. Bluegills are a bit better.

Will sunfish or bluegills then reproduce like crazy as well?

 

[GBBUDD]

Sun fish are very fiesty if another fish gets near their nest the wil dart up and poke at the fish that has got too close

 

[GBBUDD]

Will sunfish or bluegills then reproduce like crazy as well?

Absolutely !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is not the time of year to add one unless you know it is a male. Usualy more colorful

 

[YShahar]

Mosquitofish are much more predacious than the more omnivorous goldfish and minnows. They are somewhat territorial as well, and may even attack fish that are too big to eat. One female killed a juvenile fathead minnow in our 2-gallon drink dispenser. But in a spacious pond, this would probably only happen if the mosquitofish were themselves overpopulated.

Yep, they're fierce little things. And they're live-birthers, so they're prolific. If I could have found rosie barb minnows when I first filled the pond, I would have preferred those. But sadly, no one seemed to be selling them at the time, and mosquitoes were a concern. I did later add nine rosie barbs, but I doubt they can breed due to the gambusias. But it's a big pond, so maybe...