I have had recent heron problems, (dealt with for the moment) and last week (wednesday) one of my larger koi was injured by the heron. Clearly visible on its back is a white stab wound.
I first discovered the fish floating on it's side that evening when I got home, but when I tried to net it, it turned and swam strongly away. My pond is quite big, and it is nearly impossible to catch a fish without draining the pond. I thought it would die soon, but instead it has gimped along, still spending a lot of time floating on its side, still swimming quite strongly when alarmed.
I am hoping someone else has some experience with injured fish. I grew up on the coast and know that fish can survive some amazing things; but I am torn because of the "put it out of it's misery" ethic. (not that I have a LOT of choice except wait and see, mind you)
I am hoping others can tell me some of their experience with injured fish -- did they live, did they die, what did you do. PLEASE PLEASE no moral discussion; I have more than enough of that going through my head.
FISH TALES
I worked at a pond store for 2 years. People called me the fish lady. If it was my fish I would watch it for a few days. If it eats it should be fine. If it gets worse and you can catch it and want to "put it to sleep" the humane way you can put it in water and freeze it. Good luck I hope it gets better. I love birds but those dang heron me off. lol
Thans lavenderwolf. I had an aquarium for a long time; so freezing is my method of cherce as well; and equally; watching it and seeing.
It has been alive and gibbled for a week now, is trying to eat; so in the natural order of things I would just let it be. But it keeps floating on its SIDE!!!! and seems to have trouble righting itself, sometimes turning all the way upside down before it gets squared away.
When it gets right side up, it swims fairly well, and is certainly strong enough.
the thinking goes on.
anyone else ever had a fish act like this???
I've had a gimpy fish or two. One of the members of our local koi society had a fish that a had a swim bladder problem that sounds similar to what you describe.
If you decide you want to try to treat the wound, someone from a local water garden society or koi society might help you catch your fish. There are some topical treatments for wounds. I've injected one of my fish with antibiotics and had success.
I don't know if there is anything new at koivet.com.
As I understand it, Blue Herons are on the endangered species list in the U.S. and if you are caught shooting one there is a heavy fine.
These are things I've heard people use to foil herons:
1. Dogs that like to chase birds.
2. Netting over pond.
3. Electrical shock line around pond.
4. Device called Scarecrow that has a motion detector that shoots
water out at what it detects.
5. Plastic weighted goldfish around edge of pond. The idea being
heron will pick at closest fish get frustrated and leave. I don't
know if this one works; however, this item was being sold at a
pond store.
I'd be curious to know how your fish turns out.
thank you very much Darlindeb for the koi info. I was wondering some vaguer thing about swim bladder -- if the heron could have pierced the swim bladder or something.. I'll go talk to my local koi guy now that I have a breathing space. I must admit that I am only now taking seriously that the fish has any chance of survival.
I live in Canada and different birds are protected to some extent. I tried to stress earlier that I had solved the heron issue already; but thanks for the info. There are several less intrusive methods than the ones you list all predicated on various heron habits. I have used these from the outset in my pond and only had trouble when I cleared the adjacent space to build a new patio. So now it is uncleared.
I am incapable of damaging the heron in the real world. In my mind, however....... that heron's karma has suffered irreparable damage.
thanks again
M
fish can be very resilient when the wound is in the right place, I've seen trout that have broken backs and live for years, and recently a Jack had a large part of his underbelly bit off by a shark,. we doubted he'd make it through the night, in an Aquarium with a dozen large sharks- he's still going strong a month later. Sometimes an injury makes their resting buoyancy listing to one side, or even floating on the surface. -If you protect them, and they are breathing, and can swim when they need to, they can heal. You'll know they're OK when you see em feed again. Good Luck
Thanks Stevewater;
I reported the outcome of this episode here
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/553751/
I'm glad to say the fish is still fine! I'm only feeding wheat germ base every 3-5 days now, so not too much new to report; but she still comes up to feed. I have heard some wild and woolly tales (er, maybe scarce and scaly) as a result of this episode.
You're certainly right about how much a fish seems to be able to take and keep on swimming!
M