Artificial Fish Shelter

We seem to have a bit of a predator problem - baseically known as there ain't as many fish in the pond as their used to be :( .

Part of the problem is that the water is now actually clean and clear, so all the coloured goldfish that used to live there were a little bit too visible to any wandering heron passing by.

We're probably going to put a grill over the top soon anyway (to keep out small children soon to be walking) so we're looking at cheap and easy solutions. Given all the plants that are meant to be providing shelter haven't grown yet, has anyone had any joy with artificial fish shelters? At the moment I'm thinking of a BIG flower pot on it's side, probably at the bottom. Any thoughts? Slightly concerned it will interfere with water circulation, although I guess as long as it's got holes it should be OK. Any idea on whether plastic or terracota is a better idea? The pond's made with a flexbile liner - clay ought to be alright (shouldn't it?), but I REALLY don't want to puncture it... Plus how big do you reckong the pot needs to be relative to the biggest fish? Would they reverse out if needed or do they need a turning circle?

Thanks in anticipation

 

We put a couple of terracotta pot on their side in the bottom of ours and the fish are fine - (in fact we now have 10 fry we need to re-home!!) The fish can get in and out no problems, and they do not puncture the liner either. Our fish were about 20cms long, and the pots were a little onger than the fish.

 

piece of 4 inch black drain pipe with brick on top to hold it down?

 

how deep is your pound if your pound is deep thy wont Ned shelter thy can look after them self about 6ft good luck

 

Only about 3ft, so we definitely need something.

I think a big pot on the bottom and a couple of bits of pipe on one of the shelves out to give them some options and be easy to do.

Thanks for the info

 

Why not get a lily crate(or two), and lean it against the side of the pond, at 45 degrees with the open top of the crate facing the side of the pond. That would give a good-sized space for the fish between the crate and the side of the pond. The crates are ususally black, so they'll hardly be visible in the pond, so they won't look strange. You'll probably need to tie a brick to the crate to stop it floating up.

 

Can't comment on the pond side of things but can tell you fish do reverse. Our last living goldfish is now about 15 years old in a fairly big tank indoors. We moved the tank & so the fish yesterday, & whilst moving everything the fish was put in a pan. don't scream. He/she is back to normal now in a clean tank & scoffing as usual! They are quite good at getting around small places. I think the pot on its side sounds good.

Have you any pics?

cheers

 

I have plastic drain pipes in mine ,as someone as already said.
They are left over from when the pond was new 2 years ago and the plants were still to small for them to take cover in .
The fish love them and hide away inside them all the time. .

 

My pond has had a visit by a heron, we have put a terracotta plant pot in the bottom for the fish to hide. At the moment they are feeling very nervous and not coming up for feeding...Its all very sad !