Inherited comets(?) in a pond

[DouglasMack]

Recently have come to possess a house with a medium-sized pond in the backyard. The house had been a rental for a while, then sat vacant for over a year, and was in pretty rough shape. The surrounding yard was massively overgrown and clearly unmanaged, but to our surprise the pond houses what seems to be a pretty good number of goldfish, research would suggest they are mostly comets.

There are probably around 25-30 fish in the pond, and to an untrained eye they seem generally healthy and active. Sizes vary between only an inch or so to probably 8 inches at the top end.

They have seemingly been surviving on their own for some time, but we are wondering what we can do to best support them.

The pond was choked with dead vegetation, but it’s been cleared out, leaving some potted water lilies. There is a small waterfall and basic filter which have been restored and replaced to working order. Advice and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

Here are a few suggestions to keep your goldfish healthy and happy:

Maintain good water quality: Goldfish are hardy fish, but they still need clean and healthy water to thrive. You can use a water test kit to monitor the levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in the water, and make sure to perform regular water changes to keep these levels in check.

Provide adequate filtration: A good filtration system is essential to maintaining good water quality in your pond. Make sure your filter is sized appropriately for the size of your pond and the number of fish in it.

Provide shade: Goldfish prefer cooler water temperatures and thrive in shaded areas. Consider adding some floating plants or a shade cover to provide shade for your fish.

Feed them appropriately: Goldfish are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, including commercial fish food, vegetables, and insects. Avoid overfeeding your fish and remove any uneaten food to prevent water quality issues.

Protect them from predators: Depending on where you live, your goldfish may be at risk from predators such as birds or raccoons. Consider adding some netting or other protective measures to keep your fish safe.

 

[j.w]

@DouglasMack