What does your pond look like ... Today?

[tbendl]

Hehe, thanks Maria and if you change your mind Cas, let me know!

 

[MitchM]

I have counted 12 baby fish and they are getting so big.
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You had better stop feeding them, NOW, lol.


.

 

[haver79]

@tbendl love the baby fish. Just wait they will keep surprising you with new additions to the family. lol but you have lots a room so don't fret too much yet.
My water is starting to clear a bit and guess what I'm seeing a few babies in the pond too. But I also have 3 frogs living there right now so they could thin them out. I have an all white one that is about an inch long. Sure would think he would be attractive to a frog.

 

[addy1]

This is the year of fry, I just saw some really tiny fry again.
Tbendl, you see them chasing quit feeding. It helps. As you get more fish less eggs will survive.

 

[tbendl]

You had better stop feeding them, NOW, lol.

I feed them probably less than a teaspoon a morning, just to say hello. Should I completely stop?

 

[JBtheExplorer]

This is the year of fry, I just saw some really tiny fry again.
Tbendl, you see them chasing quit feeding. It helps. As you get more fish less eggs will survive.

How long do you go before feeding them again?

 

[cas]

Should I completely stop?

I only stop feeding when I see them spawning.

 

[tbendl]

Thanks cas, haver, and Addy. The first time, I suspected they were spawning but then talked my way out of it since I felt they were just too darn to be parents...
And I was wrrrrooooonnnnggggg .
I also have, I don't even know how many frogs hopping around which have been little help in the population control area.
Next time as soon as the game of tag begins I will stop feeding for sure.
But like JB asked, how long do you quit feeding them after the "chasing" begins?

 

[MitchM]

I would stop feeding completely.
If the fish population starts to drop, re-examine the feeding routine.
But an outdoor pond with plants should be self sustaining.
Otherwise you're setting yourself up for more fish babies and algae down the road.

 

[tbendl]

Oh lawdy, my hubby already calls me a cruel bully for how much I feed them now....
And I enjoy my little visiting time...
BUT if it will stop the babies I guess that's what I have to do.
And if I stop will it reduce or completely stop the spawning?
Just out of curiosity, I'm assuming it not only reduces the amount of spawning but also the algae since they are eating it and not pooping the higher nutrient rich fish food is that right?
What about veggies or fruit? If I give them a bit of that will it still result in spawning and algae?

 

[cas]

how long do you quit feeding them after the "chasing" begins?

My notes say

• Koi eggs hatch in 7 days
• Goldfish eggs hatch in 4-5 days.

so I stop feeding for about a week after I see the chasing.

As for not feeding them at all.... I like that they come up to be fed, Some of them actually have some personality. I guess it depends if you want that interaction or not.

 

[MitchM]

Oh lawdy, my hubby already calls me a cruel bully for how much I feed them now....
And I enjoy my little visiting time...
BUT if it will stop the babies I guess that's what I have to do.
And if I stop will it reduce or completely stop the spawning?
Just out of curiosity, I'm assuming it not only reduces the amount of spawning but also the algae since they are eating it and not pooping the higher nutrient rich fish food is that right?
What about veggies or fruit? If I give them a bit of that will it still result in spawning and algae?

Anything you feed your fish will contribute to extra nutrients in the pond.

It's certainly anyone's choice whether or not they feed their fish, my experience is that without any feeding from me at all they do fine and the numbers of fish rise and fall depending on the time of year and what predators are feeding on the fish.

 

[addy1]

How long do you go before feeding them again?

I am a occasional feeder, no real schedule. Most of this summer they did not get fed. We have been gone a bunch.
They all come running when they see me, hoping for pellets from the sky to fall

 

[JBtheExplorer]

The pond tonight...

 

[cas]

I love that last picture JB. The colors are awesome.