My goldfish pond

[Tula]

Sorry to hear you lost it @CometKeith Is this the little one that was struggling initially, the last purchase? It could be it just wasn't able to tolerate the cold. I think @audioenvy has 2 little ones he brought inside.

 

[Gemma]

@CometKeith so sorry you lost your fish! I lost one too but I'm the one to blame for that one

 

[j.w]

Very sorry you lost that fish @CometKeith

 

[audioenvy]

Sorry to hear you lost it @CometKeith Is this the little one that was struggling initially, the last purchase? It could be it just wasn't able to tolerate the cold. I think @audioenvy has 2 little ones he brought inside.

Sorry to hear about that fish @CometKeith.

Yes I brought two 5" fish inside (not sure what I was thinking just putting them in the big pond to fend). They are over 10" long now!

 

[Tula]

Sorry to hear about that fish @CometKeith.

Yes I brought two 5" fish inside (not sure what I was thinking just putting them in the big pond to fend). They are over 10" long now!

Wow, that's amazing growth! When will you reintroduce them to the pond, at what water temperature?

 

[Jo Anne]

Oh how I wish I could find some of that water lettuce. :~(

 

[audioenvy]

Wow, that's amazing growth! When will you reintroduce them to the pond, at what water temperature?

Probably in May or when the water is consistently above 60 degrees. The water in the main pond is 51 degrees now--not bad. The inside tank is 73 so it's better for growth feeding--but I just bowled them and noticed they are a bit chunky for their length so I think I'll ease up on the feeding. I'm assuming they will be over 12 inches by May.

 

[Lisak1]

but I just bowled them and noticed they are a bit chunky for their length so I think I'll ease up on the feeding

Ugh... I hope no one bowls me. I fear they may decide the same!

 

[callingcolleen1]

Koi can get chunky and fat if water not moving fast enough. If they have swift moving water they will grow fast without getting chunky. The fast water current gives them good shape I read. If water to slow then they get fat...

 

[CometKeith]

Hmmm.... Thanks all! I opened my computer and found 11 messages! ...not much to do when there is just a small hole in the ice. The Koi I lost was a Hariwake. It was my favorite and the first Koi I purchased so it is quite sad I have two others. The last one I purchased as far as I know is still doing okay.

 

[Tula]

@CometKeith , Do you use a Pond Breather?

 

[CometKeith]

Hi Tula. I'll need to look into one. It's been consistently very cold this year and the pond has frozen over several times even with the new aerator I bought.

 

[Tula]

Hi Tula. I'll need to look into one. It's been consistently very cold this year and the pond has frozen over several times even with the new aerator I bought.

@addy1 , @MitchM and others use a Pond Breather, with good results. I run one, along with my airstones....but my pond is covered. It's been a harsh winter for many of us.

 

[addy1]

They work great, the pond is melting I currently see no bodies floating, but still have a good ice cover.

 

[CometKeith]

Thanks Addy and Tula. I ordered one from Amazon today. I don't quite know how it works but I guess I'll figure it out when it arrives. I was able to get a small hole open in the ice today where the aerator is located, but I'm sure it will freeze up again if we get very cold temps again so it's probably good to get the breather going asap.