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| I know this question is asked all the time but many of my koi and goldfish did not survive this winter. The pond has been up an running for several years and I have lost one or two over the winter but never anything like this. The winter in CT this year was very snowy but not really any colders than years past. Also the dead fish seemed to be up on the shallow shelves. Is it possible they never made it to the deep part of the pond? Any thoughts would be appreciated. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by blessedfamily 5 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 11 at 13:50
| I lost fish this year too but I think it was because I am overstocked..are you overstocked? Sorry no fish expert but my pond has been going for 3 years now and this year I lost fish..never before :( |
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- Posted by goodkarma_ 5b (My Page) on Mon, Mar 7, 11 at 22:51
| Sorry about the loss of your fish. Some causes could be an overstocked pond, a pond with debris on the bottom that is rotting and releasing toxic gases, fish that did not have enough body fat and proper nutrition, not having a hole big enough to promote gas exchange,bacterial infections, ect. Since our fish have to fast over the winter and endure extremes in weather it really is a wonder that so many survive. |
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- Posted by gemini_jim 7a MD (My Page) on Tue, Mar 8, 11 at 9:21
| Sorry, it's always a bummer to lose fish! Hard to say what happened without more information. goodkarma_ touched on some of the possible causes. What is different this year from previously? If you lose some fish every year you may have had the same problem previously only less severely. What is the chemistry like? Low pH and high ammonia/ammonium/nitrite/nitrate is caused by too many fish or too much organic debris. This condition often goes hand-in-hand with low oxygen, and both can be lethal. Over the winter, did the fish rest on the bottom or swim on the top? Koi and goldfish at the surface in winter are stressed for oxygen or trying to escape toxic conditions at the bottom, likely both! The most important things to do before winter are to remove as much debris as possible, make sure the pH is high enough (at least 7.0; up to 8.5 is fine; change water and add baking soda if needed), and make sure there is enough circulation to keep at least a portion of the surface free of ice. Since I've done those things I haven't lost a fish over winter. Doing those things now can save the fish that survived. Good luck, and hope this helps. |
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- Posted by sigrid_hilde (My Page) on Sun, Apr 10, 11 at 2:11
| my pond is 7 by 16 feet and I have only gold fish .We take them every year put them in a kids plastic round pool in front of a window in the basement with 2 small pumps.never lost any.but I dont know what to do with the goldfish,have to many.Any good ideas? |
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- Posted by sleeplessinftwayne z4-5 IND (My Page) on Mon, Apr 11, 11 at 8:38
| How deep is your pond, Sigrid, and what zone are you in? Most of us leave the fish in the pond over winter if the pond is about three feet deep. Goldfish (comets) are usually pretty hearty. |
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