Where have my fish gone?

[GoldenOrfe]

Hi, stocked my pond with 2 Rudd, 5 Golden Rudd, and 3 Gold Fish (all about 2") back in the spring, they immediately took to the shelter under the summer house that sits half way out over the pond.

The pond was already stocked with 4 x 11" Golden Orfe, 3 x 6" lemon Goldfish, 1 x 12" Ghost Koi carp.

My question is, where have all my spring introduction gone?

All I have left is 2 growing goldfish that are now swimming happily with the big boys of the pond.

The pond is netted, and the Orfe and pals are well fed, as it did occur to me that a 11" hungry Orfe might fill his boots on my golden rudd!

Are they still hiding under the summer house, never to be seen again?

Your thought would be most welcome, thanks in advance,

Christopher. (Cornwall).

 

[j.w]

@GoldenOrfe
Could just be still hiding. They do have underwater camera's or some here have put their cell phone in an airtight jar and lowered it down to film what is down under. How clear is your water and how big is the pond?

 

[GoldenOrfe]

Hi JW, thanks for your response, the pond is about 14' x 14' x 9" deep, as I say, a large part of it is sheltered by the summer house, where a boardwalk enables entry.
I have tried an underwater camera last week but it is so dark in there that nothing was seen, I attached a light and tried again but nothing, the water is continually filtered and is nice and clear.

CGB

 

[j.w]

Hi JW, thanks for your response, the pond is about 14' x 14' x 9" deep, as I say, a large part of it is sheltered by the summer house, where a boardwalk enables entry.
I have tried an underwater camera last week but it is so dark in there that nothing was seen, I attached a light and tried again but nothing, the water is continually filtered and is nice and clear.

CGB

Well I guess they are either really good at hiding or they are gone! No clue for sure tho what could have gotten them. How big are the holes in the net? Heron, weasel, snakes.............big Orfe ate them etc.? You have all that board work and I might think they are still hiding.

 

[WaterGardener]

Is the pond truly 9" deep or is that a typo? At that depth, most anything could have nabbed them.

 

[GoldenOrfe]

Hi WaterGardener, yes it is, perhaps 10" in some places, but averaging 9" I would say over the whole pond.

It is well netted, no cats, no heron's can feed there, I cannot think of anything else that might fish there!

It has just occurred to me that Rudd may prefer the cooler temperatures under the shaded security of the summer house(!), calling all Golden Rudd specialist , what conditions do these fish prefer?

Thanks WG,

 

[GoldenOrfe]

Well I guess they are either really good at hiding or they are gone! No clue for sure tho what could have gotten them. How big are the holes in the net? Heron, weasel, snakes.............big Orfe ate them etc.? You have all that board work and I might think they are still hiding.

Hi again j.w, It's looking like I am going to have to drain the pond if I am to find out if these fish have left home?

Trouble is, even if I find they are still with me, then what, if I put them back in the same pool they will just hide, and will make little enjoyment for myself and the many people that stop at the back gate and love to watch those massive Orfe cruising about, hmm what to do?

CGB.

 

[Lisak1]

You could just climb in and poke around. See if you can stir them out of hiding. Or just wait them out. I would guess eventually they will come out and see what's what.

 

[j.w]

I myself would not drain the pond to see if they are still there. I'd just wait and see and maybe as they grow if they are still there they will then come out and show themselves. If not there then oh well! You will never know why anyways.