M
MariaTeresa
In our 1000gal pond we have 3 adult goldfish, 2 babies from a spawn last autumn, and a continuously increasing fry population. Also 1 bullfrog tadpole. The pond was begun early last August and we've never fed the fish but let them live off of the pond. I did have plenty of anacharis in there last year but the fish never seemed to eat any. After winter there is none left....eaten? decayed? The pond came out of winter covered in blanket algae with clumps floating up from the bottom constantly. Now the pond has almost no algae. All of the pots that were covered are clear, the sides of the pond, the bottom, etc. No algae. Well, there is a little green moss-like algae growing on the liner, but that's it and you have to look pretty carefully to see it. There is some lovely bright green algae on some of the rocks where the "bird beach" begins. This is a shallow section with rocks for the birds to bathe in. But the fish ignore this algae.
I've been a little concerned that the fish might not be getting enough to eat. They are feeding most of the time, but everything looks so clean that I'm afraid they aren't getting much. They do gulp down larvae and bugs that make the mistake of landing on the pond, as well as worms that crawl in when it rains, but that's not much. They were fine last year and that was with a brand new pond, so you'd think they'd have more to eat now that the pond is almost a year old.
Recently I added 3 trapdoor snails to the pond. One has died...it was floating at the surface, but had its trapdoor shut so I wasn't sure if it was dead. Today it was very obviously dead (wow do they stink!). A second trapdoor floated up to the top today, though without the horrible smell. I have ramhorns and pond snails that are doing fine. I'm not sure why the trapdoors seem to be dying, but if there isn't enough algae for them perhaps that could be why?
I tried putting some fish food in the pond, but the fish didn't even notice it, they just kept on grazing on the sides of the pond. They are spawning...so maybe they are also getting some fry in their diet.
Could the lack of algae be an issue? Could the fish now need some supplemental food or should the pond be able to support them? I was thinking of getting a couple more fish but that would mean more hungry mouths.
Any thoughts?
I've been a little concerned that the fish might not be getting enough to eat. They are feeding most of the time, but everything looks so clean that I'm afraid they aren't getting much. They do gulp down larvae and bugs that make the mistake of landing on the pond, as well as worms that crawl in when it rains, but that's not much. They were fine last year and that was with a brand new pond, so you'd think they'd have more to eat now that the pond is almost a year old.
Recently I added 3 trapdoor snails to the pond. One has died...it was floating at the surface, but had its trapdoor shut so I wasn't sure if it was dead. Today it was very obviously dead (wow do they stink!). A second trapdoor floated up to the top today, though without the horrible smell. I have ramhorns and pond snails that are doing fine. I'm not sure why the trapdoors seem to be dying, but if there isn't enough algae for them perhaps that could be why?
I tried putting some fish food in the pond, but the fish didn't even notice it, they just kept on grazing on the sides of the pond. They are spawning...so maybe they are also getting some fry in their diet.
Could the lack of algae be an issue? Could the fish now need some supplemental food or should the pond be able to support them? I was thinking of getting a couple more fish but that would mean more hungry mouths.
Any thoughts?
