He used the Tetra Spring/Fall floating stick. I bought some of that as well but still no eating. I examined the pond and saw the trapdoor snails and counted the smaller fish, but all where accounted for. Not sure what they are feeding on then.
New Koi Question
- Thread starter dakamp84
- Start date
They will eat all sorts of algae, critters and eggs from the pond. Some of it so small we could barely see it. My fish just love snail eggs. The chewing and spitting out might be behaviour. They might chew it, eat some, spit it out; then come back and pick it up again.
What else is going on while you are feeding? Any children or pets around? What time of the day?
Try to pick a time, say morning as the sun hits the pond, or late afternoon just before the sun goes past the pond. Use the same time every day. Go and sit beside the pond, sitting calmly, maybe talk a bit to the fish. Drop a few pellets and sit awhile some more. Do some more talking, maybe read a bit of a book you bring with you, drop some more pellets. Don't feed the fish at any other time, just this one time of the day - your special time! Keep this up for a week or so. See what happens.
What else is going on while you are feeding? Any children or pets around? What time of the day?
Try to pick a time, say morning as the sun hits the pond, or late afternoon just before the sun goes past the pond. Use the same time every day. Go and sit beside the pond, sitting calmly, maybe talk a bit to the fish. Drop a few pellets and sit awhile some more. Do some more talking, maybe read a bit of a book you bring with you, drop some more pellets. Don't feed the fish at any other time, just this one time of the day - your special time! Keep this up for a week or so. See what happens.
Gardengimp
No children or pets (at least that they could see). My dog sits next to me but is below the water line.
I took your advice and have been sittin in the same spot (where I will feed them) before I leave for work and after work. They are very interested in me especially when I put my hand in the water. The OBW (Orange Black and Whtie) is the brave one and will get inches from my hand while it is under water but will not eat. I soaked some krill so they would sink and held them in my hand underwater while dropping some as they came closer. They did not really eat it but the littles swarmed it when it hit the bottom. I will just keep this up as it seems the bigger ones are get braver or warming up to me. Fingers are crossed as eventually I would like for them to eat out of my hand.
No children or pets (at least that they could see). My dog sits next to me but is below the water line.
I took your advice and have been sittin in the same spot (where I will feed them) before I leave for work and after work. They are very interested in me especially when I put my hand in the water. The OBW (Orange Black and Whtie) is the brave one and will get inches from my hand while it is under water but will not eat. I soaked some krill so they would sink and held them in my hand underwater while dropping some as they came closer. They did not really eat it but the littles swarmed it when it hit the bottom. I will just keep this up as it seems the bigger ones are get braver or warming up to me. Fingers are crossed as eventually I would like for them to eat out of my hand.
Shakaho on this forum has taught all her goldfish to eat from hand. She feeds blackwater koi growth, the small pellets I think. I got mine used to me and my family by squeezing a pellet of food between my fingertips, when the fish got close and interested I loosened my grip so the pellet would float free and left my hand still in the water. The fish got use to my hand eventually and comes and gets the pellet.
Hoping shakaho will come along and add some more, she's the pro! I just treat mine like a not very bright spooky puppy!
Hoping shakaho will come along and add some more, she's the pro! I just treat mine like a not very bright spooky puppy!
I have always done what gardengimp does, but putting my hand into the water with the pellets in my hand. They will eventually eat out of your hand when they get used to you.
One of added benefits of this is when I get to the edge of the pond, all of the fish will come from where ever they are in hopes to get fed. They come right to the edge so it is very easy for me to check out each and every one for boo boos and illnesses. I do this first thing in the spring on a weekly basis until they stop coming to the surface in the fall with the cooler water temps. This way, I have a good handle on the health of my fish or if any of them are acting funny.
One of added benefits of this is when I get to the edge of the pond, all of the fish will come from where ever they are in hopes to get fed. They come right to the edge so it is very easy for me to check out each and every one for boo boos and illnesses. I do this first thing in the spring on a weekly basis until they stop coming to the surface in the fall with the cooler water temps. This way, I have a good handle on the health of my fish or if any of them are acting funny.
I spent the weekend trying out the suggestions and tips.
They do seem interested in my hand but will not eat with me around. I learned this because I moved my chair back to where they could still see me but I was not "towering over them". I threw in the floating pellets while I sat in my chair and they ate them with out problem. Guess they must be scared of me some. I also noticed my dog likes to walk around the pond and get an occasional drink. This may explain their fear of me then.
They are becoming more conformtable with people but very slowly. I will keep working with them and giving updates.
They do seem interested in my hand but will not eat with me around. I learned this because I moved my chair back to where they could still see me but I was not "towering over them". I threw in the floating pellets while I sat in my chair and they ate them with out problem. Guess they must be scared of me some. I also noticed my dog likes to walk around the pond and get an occasional drink. This may explain their fear of me then.
They are becoming more conformtable with people but very slowly. I will keep working with them and giving updates.
It might sound as though I'm being a spoil sport but its better not to train them to eat from your hand unless you have a net over the pond .
You dont want to see them surface when a Heron is by the pond making them easy pickings because of it that goes for any other preditor who fancies their chances f a free meal
rgrds
Dave
You dont want to see them surface when a Heron is by the pond making them easy pickings because of it that goes for any other preditor who fancies their chances f a free meal
rgrds
Dave
Dave
I totally get what you are saying, however - I do like to be be able to get an up close view of all of my koi. This way, I know there are no issues - no boo boos - no illnesses in the early stages. I can check them out, face to face.
I totally get what you are saying, however - I do like to be be able to get an up close view of all of my koi. This way, I know there are no issues - no boo boos - no illnesses in the early stages. I can check them out, face to face.
Wanted to give an update. They are eating from the surface now and are beginning to recognize me (start to head toward me when I come out to the pond). Still skidish of me though but I am slowly working my way up to the water.
sissy
sissy
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You will soon be there best friend they are getting used to you yet and once they realize you mean them no harm they will be at the top of the water smacking there lips at you .It just takes time .Amazing how they are sometimes .They must have had plenty to eat in the pond .
You can do this at feeding times I agree however mine are checked over at meal times too and not hands on either , the danger is still there though it mightent be you but a raccoon sat there waiting for them to come within reach so to speakCarolyn22 said:
We have a preditor proof net on 6mm hexagon nettng which is held in place by Bungee strapping ,
rgrds
Dave
I understand what you are saying - I have not had the racoon issue - surprisingly, Just issues with a heron a couple of times and he hasn't been back in several years and early on we were visited by a muskrat - that was an experience.Dave 54 said:
We do have straight sides on the pond, which maybe why there have not been any problems with the raccoons and I do live in the middle town although my backyard is very private. Perhaps that is what plays into my favor. We also use a sprayer sensor which is mounted on the privacy fence that is set up to shoo off the herons.
I have a high powered catapult ready in case we get a heron sniffing around .
However the first line of defence is a 6mm hexagonal netting bungy strapped to the pond in three places around and across it.
The catapult would only be used to spook the heron as they are a a protected species in the UK .
We habe nothing like the raccoon to worry about but ponds near to rivers are reporting otter attacks they are on a comeback in the UK thanx to our cleaned up rivers and are also a protected species.
rgrds
Dave
However the first line of defence is a 6mm hexagonal netting bungy strapped to the pond in three places around and across it.
The catapult would only be used to spook the heron as they are a a protected species in the UK .
We habe nothing like the raccoon to worry about but ponds near to rivers are reporting otter attacks they are on a comeback in the UK thanx to our cleaned up rivers and are also a protected species.
rgrds
Dave
Well Dave, I have to hand it to you - you made me laugh on a day when it seems most others are trying to do the opposite and for that I thank you. :blueflower:
Truthfully, I am surprised we have not been hit again by the heron as I live between 2 rivers. We were hit about 6 years ago when DH and I were in Boston to see family and we came back and it seemed that we had some fry missing. We suspected, but it wasn't until we actually saw the dreaded heron trying to land on our berm to have another go at our fish that we knew what had transpired while we had been vacationing. Although my husband, Dave, wanted to get his gun and shoot the bird, I didn't think that would be a good idea - as the bird is protected - (and I have a rat for a neighbor). It was at that point that we bought the sprayer sensor and I do think that has gone a long way towards taking care of the problem.
Truthfully, I am surprised we have not been hit again by the heron as I live between 2 rivers. We were hit about 6 years ago when DH and I were in Boston to see family and we came back and it seemed that we had some fry missing. We suspected, but it wasn't until we actually saw the dreaded heron trying to land on our berm to have another go at our fish that we knew what had transpired while we had been vacationing. Although my husband, Dave, wanted to get his gun and shoot the bird, I didn't think that would be a good idea - as the bird is protected - (and I have a rat for a neighbor). It was at that point that we bought the sprayer sensor and I do think that has gone a long way towards taking care of the problem.