A Question I Afraid to Ask; What's with my Gold Fish?

The Racoons cathy?

Yes, with their "masks."

They're very 'clever' as well. So far no sign of catching it. DH is thinking putting up an electric fence around the pond's perimeter. He think if the critter gets shocks once. It will NOT return.

I've been told that they avoid (small) blinking lights, but I see that Lily Love's raccoon is in the daylight.

Ah hah! The light bulb just pops! (so to speak). They're night critter mostly. Maybe I can string a string of decorative blinking lights around the pond? Maybe neighbors may think I've lost my nuggins and hang Christmas light in June. But will that work?

cathy, White Crowned Herons are noturnal birds. But, occasionally they are found perching/fish out on daylight.

Have you noticed the goldfish scales "pineconeing"? Its an effect that makes the scales stick out and look as if it is a pinecone. If so, the goldfish could have a disease called dropsey. I can not see the fish clear enough to confirm this but sewlling and pineconning fins are symptoms of dropsey. I have raised koi and goldfish for years . I have a 2500 gallon backyard pond and have learned a bit about fish disease in my expirence. Now is she "blown up" all over or is this putrusion on one side? You can do a little reasearch on dropsey and see if it fits what is happening to your fish. As I said I can not see the fish close enough to be sure but the swelling is suspicious. You can also read how to treat this disease if indeed she has it. I believe a course of antibotics after a malchitite bath might be in order. You can get malachitite under the brand name "quick cure" I wish you the best of luck. I hope this has helped some.

Many thanks realsis. A Racoon has gotten to my pond and killed over a dozen goldfish included those that were shown above. Some survived; the next generation smaller goldfish, and a mid size Shubunkin and of course my tree big Kois.

Indeed those herons are nocturnal. They start perching around at dusk, making themselves as invisible as possible, never in daylight. I've never seen a raccoon in my yard during the day, either, but have felt their presence. They love to throw around marginals and do all kinds of damage.

Frilly, I AM DEEPLY OFFENDED about your comment regarding MOLES . . . I am a nice mole. . .I am a diggy Mole, I am a gardening Mole . . . (I guess I am a crazy mole . . . lol).

LOL, mm. That's too funny.

My DD brought me a pail of Tadpoles at various stages.She teaches Kindergarten and they have raised them thus far in the classroom.We dumped them in my pond today.I just hope my fish don't eat the all. I'd love to have some frogs or toads to deal with the slugsJOY

Best of lucks Joy.

I reallyget worried about those perditors and my fish! We have big craines and I pray those things don't swoop down and get my fish! Sorry about your fish! :( preditors are scarey!

Thanks realsis.

Mothermole, all present excepted, it's just destructive moles we don't like.

. . . A-hmmm sometimes, not by choice, I am destructive . . . I can be a clumsy mole at times.

I see mole traps sold in the Chicagoland area but I have NEVER seen one in anyones garden. My husband is from England and those moles are "organized destructive teams" that must get paid double time at night. Each morning my mother-in-law has more mole holes than you can count . . . but she adores them just like all the English. It's a love-hate relationship.