A couple of weeks ago, I became convinced that I had a snapping turtle
which was eating all my fish. The cashier and bag boy at my local grocery
store suggested baiting a big hook with stinky, old chicken, tying the line to
a gallon jug so the turtle couldn't drag it under and getting rid of it
The pet store told me to call Rudi the Reptile Remover, which I did.
He said I do not have a snapping turtle but perhaps a few small painted
turtles. What I probably do have is muskrats or groundhogs which are
burrowing under the bank. They are vegetarians and I don't think I want
them trapped and removed. Rudi also knew someone closing down
a nursery with a fish pond. He brought me about 40 smallish koi/goldfish.
I decided to spend my "stimulus rebate" or whatever they call this one
on fish. Today I made a 70+ mile round trip to get 6 fancy koi and 10
shubunkins. I surely hope they survive. One kept jumping out of the
water like a fish surface feeding. The pet shop said not to worry.
This is my second summer on this property which has so many places
that need beds and plants. The pond is one of them. I practically get
dizzy thinking about all the plants I need. I have started many from
seed and can plant them this summer. The pond is problematic; its
levels go up and down dramatically. The seedling Japanese iris that
I planted when it was down are probably history now. August was the
driest on record. Now with nothing but rain, the pond is creeping up
the two overflow pipes. I can't plant any margin plants because the
is coming up the steep bank.
I have five kinds of water lilies: a white one well established and covering
a large area and 4 new ones. Two from Walmart and 2 from the co-op
last year. All have survived, and the two from the co-op should come
into their own this summer.
I probably have enough fish now!
I just read an article on koi in a magazine called Living the Country Life. According to the article koi need a pond 4'deep, a filtration and aeration system. I wondered whether goldfish and koi can co-exist. You might find these links helpful
http://www.bestfishtankaquariums.com/2009/04/24/can-you-put-goldfish-and-koi-in-the-same-pond/
http://aquariumplants.afrugalgardener.com/Blog/34/can-you-put-goldfish-and-koi-together/
http://www.akca.org/library/build1.htm
http://watergarden.com/pages/build_wg.html
http://www.koiandponds.com/
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=353
Betty,
I am going to read those links, but I have been told that since my pond holds 72,000 gallons of water, there should be no problem.
Actually, under stressful circumstances (the lack of suitable mates of the same species) I think all of them can interbreed but prefer their own kind if available.
The pond seems to be a well functioning eco-system at this point. It is about 28 years old or so. The presence of water lilies will provide cover and shade since it is in full sun. Right now though it is a big space that fills me with anxiety, especially since I can't see the fish. I hope when I begin to feed them, I will get a better idea of how many are in there. I am reluctant to introduce any vegetation that might get out of control as well.
Gloriag,
Koi and goldfish can live together as both are peaceful but they don't interbreed. When the koi get big they can get all the food before the goldfish can so you would have to take some care about making sure the goldfish get fed.
72,000 gallons sounds huge! My little pond is only about 1700-2000 gals.
Helen