I got predator problems

[Priscilla]

Too many to deal with today. I already lost one fish on the weekend and I think it may have been a crab.

This morning I look out the window to see the green heron pecking around looking for bugs ... maybe? He wasn't by the pond. Maybe he was choking down a fish, I don't know.

So I walk out to the pond, saw two crabs right off, if I saw two, there's got to be more. How many? I don't know. Talk about stressed out right now.

This rain has chased them all out of their holes.

 

[tbendl]

Oh my goodness they are huge. You've got all kinds of crazy critters. I'm so sorry Priscilla, can they catch fish?

 

[Priscilla]

Yes, they will try to pinch the fish in their claws and then eat them. At first I thought they were just scavengers but my friend told me she saw one snap one of her fish in half.

I don't think they can get the fast guys, but I do have four koi that only have 1 eye - so they maybe easy prey and the fantail goldfish may also be prey for them.

Today is not a good day in my pond. I will get my older son to come over see if he can catch them.

 

[Dave 54]

Well at least we know the cause now Priscilla tell me are these crabs of an edible variaty ?
Just a thought

Dave

 

[Priscilla]

Yes, they are! My son just sent me a text that he is coming after work and we will have crab for dinner! LOL! I can always count on him to cheer me up.

 

[bettasngoldfish]

Oh wow, They are huge! I wouldn't want those in my pond either

Once you get them netted out and removed from the area can you net your pond? Even if only temporary until things settle down a bit.

 

[Priscilla]

.
Yes, I'm going to get them out and take them to the ocean. I will net the pond again this afternoon. I don't think that will keep the crabs out though. But it will keep the bird out.

Nature just doesn't give any breaks.

 

[tbendl]

On a good note, crab just showing up at your house beats my pizza delivery allll day.

 

[bettasngoldfish]

.
Yes, I'm going to get them out and take them to the ocean. I will net the pond again this afternoon. I don't think that will keep the crabs out though. But it will keep the bird out.

Nature just doesn't give any breaks.

Netting won't keep the crabs out?

On a good note, crab just showing up at your house beats my pizza delivery allll day.

That depends on who your talking to here. I do not eat any type of sea food but I will take all the pizza I can get

 

[michey1st]

So sorry you are going through all this! I'm with your son.... crabs for deeeeeenner!!!!!

 

[rodsboys]

Crab trap and some boiling water........

 

[Priscilla]

It may or may not, they can dig and tunnel, so .......

 

[CeeJayH]

I'm with your son. Crab for dinner, sat by the pond.

 

[Mmathis]

@Priscilla Just curious.... Are the crabs simply migrating to your pond, or are they being carried by "flood" waters? I'm sure glad you spotted them.

We're having quite a bit of flooding here, but we're getting alligators -- well, not US personally, but the gators are out of their elements, so to speak. But there's one consolation to all the extra water and that's that there are plenty of alternate, natural places for the GBH's to look for food, instead of searching for my pond. At least for now -- guess I'll need to put up netting soon, 'cause once those waters recede, there will be a lot of hungry herons!

 

[bettasngoldfish]

Alligators I'm sure glad I live in Ohio. We don't have much in the way of dangerous wild critters.