All gone

[fish]

They are all gone. A total of twenty two fish, seven nice koi and fifteen goldies. The otter got the last five goldies last night. What to do - we'll see next spring.

 

[Pondmaster]

So sorry to hear that. I would take this time to make any improvements/renovations and come back in the spring better than ever.

 

[addy1]

Bummer Fish, you have such a beautiful set up. There must be a way to discourage the otter, hopefully without killing it. But then again, I can't even kill a spider.

The rocks I picked up from you are all being used now and looking great.

 

[stroppy]

sorry to hear your sad news fish

 

[j.w]

That's horrible and makes me sad :frown:

 

[fish]

I guess there is hope for more fish. When I clean the pond next spring I will construct a cave with a sturdy opening to small for and otter to enter. I will use Falls Foam to cement the rocks in place so the otter cannot move them. Where there is a will there is a way.

 

[clemsonguy1125]

Would just a chicken wire dome over the pond not work? Or this?
http://www.dunnsfishfarm.com/otter_control_71_ctg.htm

 

[fish]

I guess I will consider anything so we can have fish again. Will work on it next spring. Loosing the fish is like loosing any kind of pet. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

 

[DrDave]

Losing your fish can be pretty tramatic, especially if they have been with you a long time or are a special type and color. I do whatever is necessary to protect mine and I have gone 3 years without a loss now.
I used to have daily and nightly visits by predators, they no longer have an edge on me. I cover mine with frames that have plastic fencing. It is easy to remove and put back.

 

[clemsonguy1125]

Sorry about your fish, I lost a couple the other day to birds.

 

[ponderpaul]

Would just a chicken wire dome over the pond not work? Or this?
http://www.dunnsfishfarm.com/otter_control_71_ctg.htm

Interesting that you come up with this! :frown: We live about an hour from Dunns and buy all of our koi at another farm just a few miles south of them. There operation in more into game fish and farm ponds than the hobbiest. We visited there last summer and didn't see any showroom or any of the good stuff they advertize online

 

[addy1]

Would just a chicken wire dome over the pond not work? Or this?
http://www.dunnsfishfarm.com/otter_control_71_ctg.htm

I have used the live trap for catching feral cats. It does work great. And it does not hurt the critter.

 

[fish]

I've caught cats, ground hogs, possum and racoon in a live trap but don't how to trap a river otter. Anybody have suggestions for catching an otter in a live trap?

 

[j.w]

Couldn't you just put a fish from the grocery store tied inside the cage hanging from the top

 

[DrDave]

You hide behind a bush and makes sounds like a fish...:frown: