Some babies.

Hi all

My pond is now in it's second year. I started with ten goldfish. If I'm honest, I have struggled with the balance over the past few months trying to keep the water clear. This week, the water has started to clear and I have noticed at least five new additions. One of them has already changed to gold so must have been born in the first year. The others are still black at the moment.

I was so pleased to see them. They must be fairly happy in there after all.

 

Lovely Outlander. And they are so addictive.

 

@Outlander news for you mate...I bet your pleased

 

thanks for the replies. I feel like a proud Granddad.

My last pond started with 14 fish and ended up with 120 (ish). I might have to put something in their tea if they carry on like this.

 

What you need to do is set up your and keep watch

 

Its great to see new fish appear in the pond. Downside...more fish food needed.

My golden orfe have been engaged in a free for all orgy the last couple of days so more orfe on the way

 

Yes, mine still 'at it' too even the dragonflies have joined in.

I have never had Orfe before but they seem like an interesting species. they are bottom feeders aren't they?

 

WeeTam...orgy

 

Many years ago (or, once upon a time) at a previous address, we had a huge pond system, with three waterfalls and a stream and a massive filter. There were lots of shubunkins, and a few small koi carp in there, doing quite well. We decided to add six golden orfe. The orfe became favourite in my book, and grew to about 8 inches.
One morning I found a dead orfe floating on the surface, and removed it. There did not appear to be anything wrong with it - nor a problem with any of the other fish. I disposed of the dead orfe.
The kids were still at home, so we had a 'proper' burial service.
The following day, I put my hand in the pond - as usual, and the fish came to nibble (they were all very tame) I counted the orfe, and there were SIX. There were no baby orfe, and the six I counted were all about the same size.
Explanations on a postcard please.

 

It still haunts me Gail, and seems more strange than funny

 

Well I hate to say this but it does sound a bit weird and strange

 

Fun fish to watch. They feed from the surface,currently loving the Aldi version of Cheerios. Water is still cold,summer food very soon.
No filters but they need the waterfall where they gather to suck in the oxygenated water. Like to swim as a shoal. Need company of others. Had zero health issues in 20 years except for 4 that had their heads chewed of by a mink or otter last year.

 

That sounds pretty serious.

I always enjoy watching them in the aquatic centres because as you say, they move around as a shoal. I also like watching the Sterlets too, very shark-lik.

 

That's very weird. Could it have been dropped into the pond by a heron maybe? I once came home from work to find a goldfish wriggling on the lawn but yards away from the pond. I can only assume that was a heron.

 

I was going to suggest the heron scenario myself @Tetters, but @Outlander beat me to it!

In the past I've had the coming home to a dead fish on the patio thing myself - think that was probably down to a neighbour's cat. I suppose a fox might also have been a possibility?