New goldfish

[phomlish]

Just finished my pond last fall and I just bought my first goldfish. The sign said I wasn't allowed to pick out my fish but the clerk was super nice and didn't give me any all silver ones. I got 10 beauties for just $2 total.

Question: they are only about 3/4". How long until I can see them without a pair of binoculars?

 

[mrsclem]

It won't be long! I got a dozen feeders last year, all under 1" except 1. Have spotted 11 so far this year an d some are over 3".

 

[bagsmom]

I did the same thing! I got feeders at Petsmart and the clerk was a teenager who thought chasing down the specific fish was a fun challenge! Amazingly, none of them died. They grew and reproduced. My largest fish were about 7 inches long before they got eaten by a heron! I have fish of several different sizes in there now - but they all started with teeny feeders!

 

[phomlish]

I did the same thing! I got feeders at Petsmart and the clerk was a teenager who thought chasing down the specific fish was a fun challenge! Amazingly, none of them died. They grew and reproduced. My largest fish were about 7 inches long before they got eaten by a heron! I have fish of several different sizes in there now - but they all started with teeny feeders!

My area is also prone to the dreaded neighborhood heron. That's why I went with the cheapies. I'm sure it is still a sad day to see them feed on your pond fish, but hopefully a bit less sad knowing I only spent $2.

 

[bagsmom]

My area is also prone to the dreaded neighborhood heron. That's why I went with the cheapies. I'm sure it is still a sad day to see them feed on your pond fish, but hopefully a bit less sad knowing I only spent $2.

Yes! That was my exact thinking. The wildlife pond in the backyard (in progress) will probably be an aquatic restaurant!

 

[phomlish]

Yes! That was my exact thinking. The wildlife pond in the backyard (in progress) will probably be an aquatic restaurant!

There is another option. Build a beautiful pond and then cover it with a hideous net.

 

[WaterGardener]

Don't be surprised if some of your picks change color and look nothing like the ones you chose. You may end up with some of those silver ones after all.

I did the same as you with my first fish and even named most of them. Since some look nothing like they used to, a few now have very inappropriate names.

 

[GBBUDD]

Just finished my pond last fall and I just bought my first goldfish. The sign said I wasn't allowed to pick out my fish but the clerk was super nice and didn't give me any all silver ones. I got 10 beauties for just $2 total.

Question: they are only about 3/4". How long until I can see them without a pair of binoculars?

You bought feeder goldfish .

 

[SarahT]

I LOVE my feeder goldfish! they'll grow fast. How big is your pond? Feeding twice a day = nutrition = growth = probably babies next year. Feed what they'll eat in 5 minutes, don't let food accumulate on the top surface. (I net my pond, even if it isn't the best of looks.)