I have a small farm pond in the woods.. It is fairly secluded. My Husband and I have lived on our farm for 10 years and I just love going and setting by this pond and taking pictures.. Very peaceful and away from everything.
Last year I thought that I might put some goldfish in the pond. As there didn't seem to be any fish of any kind in it. I bought some 10 cent feeder goldfish from a local pet store.. Put them in the pond and thought that I would never see them again.. As I have quite a population of great blue and green herons that love this pond..
As it's the first day of Spring today, I walked to my pond .. I just like to set on the bank and study what's going on down in the water.. The water is very clear.. and I see lots of tadpoles.. of course.. and then start really looking and realize that the water is teaming with salamanders.. Wow! I guess all the Spring Rains here have really gotten them moving. I was very excited about seeing them. and can't say that I have ever seen that many at once..
Then I look across my pond and see all my goldfish.. about 25 of them and they have grown from tiny fish to about 2 and a half inches long.. They are all doing great!
My question.. Should I move my goldfish to another pond.?. Will they eat the salamanders or eggs? I don't really want to mess with the natural ecosystem in that little pond..
My small pond..
Theyll eat anything they can fit in their mouth.
As long as there is NO way for them to escape into the wild (other streams/ponds/lakes) then it would be okay to leave them..but like I said they will eat anything lol.
Over time if I remember right, their future offspring will start to revert back to their normal greenish/greyish colouring.
Your pond sounds lovely.
Here's my question...even if you decided that you wanted to catch the goldfish, would it be possible? It sounds like your pond is pretty large but maybe that's just in the picture in my head. :) Maybe you could wait to see how the herons like your goldfish population, you might not have to try catching them at all.
You are correct Art.. Catching the goldfish would be a trick.. I think I would have to borrow a seine..
I did some searching to try to classify my "salamander" .. Now think it is a quite common ( although not common to me ) central newt.. I still have never seen anything like this swimming in the water before.. I think I could set and watch them for hours.
I am wondering if anyone here has ever tried raising newts or salamanders in their ponds? and if so , does anyone have them in the same water as their fish?
Also, There are lots of dead trees and logs laying on the banks of this pond.. I was going to move them away from the bank, but think I'd better leave them alone too..
Ive raised plenty of newts in captivity, but not in an outside pond. Since they can actually walk, I'd only stock my pond with native newts and sallies. Better safe than sorry.
If you have a ten gallon aquarium you can have a really neat little newt tank. :-)