Lost my big Japanese koi

[waynefrcan]

I think the hawks got it, I have seen them around past week and got 3 attacks. 2 koi showed some small cuts and scrapes but ok now the big black beauty koi is missing. Either taken or is injured and won't come out.

I'm going to have to net the pond which will be hell as it's 35x21'. OR maybe bring them inside for the winter early.

Had the Iphone video on all last night and dusk to dawn no herons or anything but maybe they didn't show as no fish in view as they are hiding from last attack.

3 years no problems with the scarecrow sprinklers now this! Maybe the desire to fatten up before winter out weighs any fear?

 

[CometKeith]

Wayne. I'm so sorry about your fish! Hopefully it's hiding...

 

[texmaster]

I'm so sorry Wayne.

The one thing that really dropped bird attacks for me was sun shades. Now mine isn't anywhere near as big as yours but I am sporting a 25x25 over mine.

In your case I would do 2 18x18 because one large one is crazy expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/Sundale-Outd...id=1535435329&sr=8-3&keywords=sun+shade+18x18

You would need six 6x6x12 posts from lowes, some metal hooks and bury them 2 feet down in concrete. I'm in Dallas which believe it or not is more windy than Chicago and these suckers don't move.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/6-in-x-6-in-x-12-ft-2-Pressure-Treated-Timber-6330254/100010238

Make sure to put a sealant on the posts for the weather but that should really help.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[MitchM]

Sorry to hear.
Nice to see you back on the forum.

 

[Lisak1]

Oh, boy. Hopefully your big fish is just hiding. I would think the last one they would take is a black one - we have a big black koi and he's tough to see in the pond.

 

[bagsmom]

Hopefully he is hiding! I have told this story before -- but I had a really big aquarium and had a sick looking fish disappear for months. I was sure he jumped out and was eaten by my cats. (Or that he died and was eaten by other fish.) I looked and looked and looked for him everywhere in that tank - for an extended period. One day, he shows up - looking healthy and well. It was as if he'd gone on a vacation somewhere. We named him Lazarus Fish. I hope your koi does the same!!!!! Fish really are good hiders.

 

[Lisak1]

I had a man tell me a similar story about a koi in his pond - he looked out the window and saw a heron stabbing at his fish. He ran out the door just as it took off with the fish in it's beak. He startled the bird enough that it dropped the fish back in the pond. He saw it sink so he knew it was there, but when he didn't see it again he assumed it was dead. SIX MONTHS LATER, there it was, swimming around as if nothing had happened. They can definitely hide for a LONG time!

 

[waynefrcan]

Oh, boy. Hopefully your big fish is just hiding. I would think the last one they would take is a black one - we have a big black koi and he's tough to see in the pond.

But it's the same old story, the cutest most friendly favorite koi just sitting by you waiting for food are the first targets!

 

[waynefrcan]

I had a man tell me a similar story about a koi in his pond - he looked out the window and saw a heron stabbing at his fish. He ran out the door just as it took off with the fish in it's beak. He startled the bird enough that it dropped the fish back in the pond. He saw it sink so he knew it was there, but when he didn't see it again he assumed it was dead. SIX MONTHS LATER, there it was, swimming around as if nothing had happened. They can definitely hide for a LONG time!

Cool!

 

[waynefrcan]

Sorry to hear.
Nice to see you back on the forum.

Thanks Mitch and all. I did try to log in in the spring time and PW didn't work and then got busy with other stuff. All the good advice gathered here kept my koi and golds safe and happy

Now this koi is not the Petsmart cheap one, it's a real Japanese koi and so beautiful. Black top with glimmering gold, silvers, whites, grey down the sides. Not the biggest koi but a beauty to me. I also love my Petsmart cheap guys also so no discrimination lol.

 

[waynefrcan]

Hopefully he is hiding! I have told this story before -- but I had a really big aquarium and had a sick looking fish disappear for months. I was sure he jumped out and was eaten by my cats. (Or that he died and was eaten by other fish.) I looked and looked and looked for him everywhere in that tank - for an extended period. One day, he shows up - looking healthy and well. It was as if he'd gone on a vacation somewhere. We named him Lazarus Fish. I hope your koi does the same!!!!! Fish really are good hiders.

I do have lots of hiding spaces and 1 at 4' depth.

 

[waynefrcan]

I'm so sorry Wayne.

The one thing that really dropped bird attacks for me was sun shades. Now mine isn't anywhere near as big as yours but I am sporting a 25x25 over mine.

In your case I would do 2 18x18 because one large one is crazy expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/Sundale-Outd...id=1535435329&sr=8-3&keywords=sun+shade+18x18

You would need six 6x6x12 posts from lowes, some metal hooks and bury them 2 feet down in concrete. I'm in Dallas which believe it or not is more windy than Chicago and these suckers don't move.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/6-in-x-6-in-x-12-ft-2-Pressure-Treated-Timber-6330254/100010238

Make sure to put a sealant on the posts for the weather but that should really help.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Interesting, got any pics?

 

[Tula]

I agree with @texmaster , and use shade sails. We installed one when we lost a large shade tree a few years back, but I believe it obscures the view of the pond as well. I also have my pond netted......it's not tucked in tight as a drum, as it does have some openings, but it's another layer of protection .

 

[waynefrcan]

Well the black guy is back from hiding with a 2nd wound. I think i'll change his name from blacky to 9 lives.

The hawks were right above the pond today at 100 yards up waiting for them to come out. Later as the big koi came out and I went inside, one hawk was rooftop height over the property line circling for another attack. Chased it away and later they circled every 15 min to see if anyone around. Crazy smart creatures.

Now to find some netting locally or i'll be baby sitting them at 4:30 am until dusk tomorrow.

 

[addy1]

yeah!

Well the black guy is back from hiding with a 2nd wound. I think i'll change his name from blacky to 9 lives.

 

[mrsclem]

Glad he's still there! I use the same netting Addy uses, suspended a couple of feet above water. We have a lot of hawks here as well as osprey and eagles.

 

[Rich8888ri]

They sell large netting on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DVGL535/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_kOFHBbK9C0SS1

 

[waynefrcan]

Mitch I was going to say I was reading your post this spring about your winter fish loss. Ever find out what was going on?

 

[MitchM]

Mitch I was going to say I was reading your post this spring about your winter fish loss. Ever find out what was going on?

I tried strong aeration only this past winter, which removed a lot of heat from the pond and it still completely iced over, the ice depth extended probably 4 feet. I think the fish just ran out of oxygen with only 1 foot of water. Most of the minnows and a couple of goldfish survived. I have them all in the greenhouse aquarium now while I rebuild the pond. The most successful winters I've had are when I use the pond breathers.

 

[texmaster]

Interesting, got any pics?

Certainly! Just bare in mind these are the old 4x4x10 posts and they couldn't handle the wind. The 6x6x12 do. Learn from my mistakes