A few weeks ago I finished restocking the pond by purchasing 4 small Golden Orfe.
This brings the total number of fish to 6 Golden Orfe (including 2 large Golden Orfe which I have had for over 9 years) and 6 small Koi Carp.
The Koi are now happily coming to feed at the surface I am glad to report!
The Heron will find the pond a less easy target from now on.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
New beginnings
Out of the original 6 Goldfish and 6 Orfe there are I believe only 2 Orfe remaining in the pond.
I have now purchased 6 small Koi Carp from our nearest garden centre at a cost of £30. However since putting them in the pond I have barely seen them at all due presumably to a fairly cold water temperature of 15 degrees or less.
The frog population of the pond has also been badly hit. Last year it was normal for me to see 5 or more frogs in the pond at any one time but this year I have only just spotted a frog for the first time.
I will not make the mistake of leaving the pond unguarded this coming winter!
I have now purchased 6 small Koi Carp from our nearest garden centre at a cost of £30. However since putting them in the pond I have barely seen them at all due presumably to a fairly cold water temperature of 15 degrees or less.
The frog population of the pond has also been badly hit. Last year it was normal for me to see 5 or more frogs in the pond at any one time but this year I have only just spotted a frog for the first time.
I will not make the mistake of leaving the pond unguarded this coming winter!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Bad times
The last month or so has been the toughest time the fish have had since being introduced to the pond almost 9 years ago. Firstly, the pond has been frozen over on several occasions after frosty nights which is nothing new as we are situated 600 feet above sea level. Secondly we have had a new and unwelcome visitor to the garden, namely a Grey Heron. I discovered a Goldfish lying in the middle of our back lawn a couple of times and actually witnessed his attempts to swallow another fish which he had taken from the pond. At present I do not know how many fish if any he actually got away with. Thirdly I have lost three large Goldfish and one Orfe but don't know exactly what the problem was. I discovered them floating dead at the surface over the course of 2 or 3 days. One theory is that they have been attacked by insect larvae which are well capable of attaching themselves to large fish and gradually killing them. As I pulled one of the fish from the water there was certainly some form of insect on the body which could have been dragonfly larvae. I do not know if there are any fish left in the pond as any which may remain will be right at the bottom and will not surface until spring. There will have to be a restocking job done this year in any case.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
