Only one fish left

[Susan]

All my goldfish but one have been taken (raccoon? heron?) or died (swim bladder issues?) These goldfish lived and reproduced for several years so I don't know why some have died. My question is: what to do with the one left? re-home it? (but don't want to pass on any disease etc). Start all over with the tiny feeder fish they started as? Any thoughts?

 

[IPA]

All my goldfish but one have been taken (raccoon? heron?) or died (swim bladder issues?) These goldfish lived and reproduced for several years so I don't know why some have died. My question is: what to do with the one left? re-home it? (but don't want to pass on any disease etc). Start all over with the tiny feeder fish they started as? Any thoughts?

Is this the 60 gallon pond? Can you post a picture of the pond? Need more details, filtration, water quality, is there runoff from the yard into the pond in heavy rains, etc.

 

[Susan]

It is a 60 gallon; I run the Pondmaster190 filter continuously and clean the black media once a week. There is some run-off but we do not use pesticides and when we fertilize it is far away from the pond. I have never tested water quality but was told by a fish guy that the fish reproducing was a sign of a healthy pond. Mostly I want to know what to do with the one poor,lonely fish.

 

[IPA]

Nice looking pond. I think fish will spawn under stress as much as they will spawn in good conditions but I'm no fish expert but did however stay at a Holiday Inn Express. You will probably get tired enough of hearing a recommendation to get a quality test kit; about $25 online for one designed specifically for the needs of a pond. Make sure it is the liquid and not strips if you decide to give in.
Regarding the fish, I'd make sure it and the pond are healthy and add 1 or 2 more as you seem to have enjoyed the pond. I have a screen zip tied to 1/2" PVC not glued making a tent to protect from predators and leaves.

 

[Faebinder]

Sounds like you got a predator issue. Time to net the pond before adding more fish.

 

[Susan]

Nice looking pond. I think fish will spawn under stress as much as they will spawn in good conditions but I'm no fish expert but did however stay at a Holiday Inn Express. You will probably get tired enough of hearing a recommendation to get a quality test kit; about $25 online for one designed specifically for the needs of a pond. Make sure it is the liquid and not strips if you decide to give in.
Regarding the fish, I'd make sure it and the pond are healthy and add 1 or 2 more as you seem to have enjoyed the pond. I have a screen zip tied to 1/2" PVC not glued making a tent to protect from predators and leaves.

Thank you: I dug the pond myself. Rock hard dirt and I wouldn't let my husband help! I made a framework of PVC that I put netting over. I also use door screens that I get at Habitat Restore for a dollar or so. Whatever took my fish knocked everything over which made me think it was a good-sized raccoon.

 

[Susan]

Sounds like you got a predator issue. Time to net the pond before adding more fish.

It was netted but whatever it was knocked over the fence, the netting, the potted plants.

 

[j.w]

Looks like you could drive some stakes in the ground around the pond and attach the netting rim tightly to those stakes and then perhaps the raccoon won't be able to get in there. I had to put a wire fence around my bathtub pond and latch chicken wire over that to keep them out of that one.

 

[Faebinder]

It was netted but whatever it was knocked over the fence, the netting, the potted plants.

Ooohhh remove the netting and place an electric fence. They aren't expensive and they will stop that behavior..

Option b is to trap the cultprit.

 

[addy1]

Nice looking mares tail! JW

 

[j.w]

Nice looking mares tail! JW

Yep that's the first time I got it and it looks pretty good in the bathtub pond. The newest bunch I put in the big pond looks pretty ragged so no pictures of that till it looks better.

 

[Gemma]

Mostly I want to know what to do with the one poor,lonely fish.View attachment 104672

If you protected the pond from predators, I'd get him/her a friend or two!

 

[Magzire]

Damn, they looked like nice goldfish. Anyone know what kind of goldfish they are? Really nice colors

 

[IPA]

They do look nice. Big ole pregnant momma looking right at the camera. I think my fish are being stalked. My pooch went darting out to the pond, unlike her, early dark 30 this morning. The other day water all over side and a tear in the screen. Also seeing some small downy feathers. A few weeks ago 2 bald eagles were fighting over something one had in its talons and dropped it. Also cooper hawks, an occasional red tail, osprey and maybe a stray cat, know we have some possums, raccoons and even fox in our area.

 

[Lisak1]

Nice looking mares tail! JW

I looked everywhere for mare's tail this year - never found any. But I'll keep looking. It's a cool plant!