Why are they doing this?

[420benz]

This is the first time i saw them do this. They are under a waterfall.

 

[j.w]

Could be they just like the feel of the water coming down on them or it could be a sign of a lack of oxygen in the water. Mine play in the falls off and on but don't hang there forever. If they never leave it then there could be a problem but if just now and then I wouldn't worry.

 

[Stephen Noble]

Do you see them gulping at the surface? How many fish (and size) do you have and what size pond?

 

[420benz]

About 24 gold fish in a 650 Gal pond. I have 3 waterfalls and an aerator. Water conditions are good.

 

[Stephen Noble]

That is a lot of fish.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

My fish, like j.w's, love playing around the waterfall, but as she said they don't stay there forever. Though certain fish of mine do linger around it often some days.

 

[420benz]

I'll check again tomorrow.

 

[BobDE]

I sometimes think it is just for something to do. I have one pump that pumps water into the pond under water. I sometimes watch the fish swim into the flow and it shoots them across the pond.

 

[420benz]

I decided to check the water conditions today. It seems to be ok. Water temps are 55 Deg. They are always hungry. I did notice 2 of them swimming then turning slightly sideways for a second and keep on swimming??

 

[Linus_Cello]

Could be they are hoping or food to come there, like wild insects

 

[Stephen Noble]

As stated above, there are lots of reasons for them to hang around waterfalls. It would be a good idea to rule out a dissolved oxygen deficiency. I see you are in Georgia. Augusta, Georgia has a excellent pond and water garden society that might be able to assist with testing your water. You can always purchase a tester but a pond society can also assist in many other ways too.

 

[420benz]

 

[mrsclem]

It may be me but looks like your ammonia level is starting to go back up again.

 

[Stephen Noble]

It may be me but looks like your ammonia level is starting to go back up again.

I just pulled your picture up on a bigger (better) screen and agree, the color looks greenish/yellow. Ammonia needs to be zero. I think Mitch mentioned what to do regarding this so I won't repeat. I still think you have too many fish for that size pond regardless of the cycling issue.

 

[420benz]

Those tests look great but let's find out about dissolved oxygen. The chart shows a check mark for nitrite. Is that a recent test?

Never tested for Nitrite.

In any event, I think there are too many fish.

I really got carried away.