The deep end has openings in it but
the fish hang out in the shallows presumably to remain more hidden
under
the more opaque ice
Robyn, I float a large piece of Styrofoam on the deep area of my pond
to support the netting. The fish seem to hang out under it. Maybe if
you get a thaw you can try a piece. (I used the packaging from a TV) I
also use an air stone about 4" deep to oxygenate and keep a hole open.
It has worked well for several years even with this weeks single digit
temps.
I hope this helps ..... good
luck, Hank
http://community.webshots.com/user/hankpage1
"Robyn Rhudy" wrote in message
.umbc.edu...
For the second time this winter, I found a frozen goldfish. I never
had
this before in 6 years so I can't figure out why the goldfish are
all
going up into the shallows and then freezing in solid. My pond has
about
a foot of water in the most shallow area and it's frozen to the
bottom
there with at least one goldfish frozen in time with his mouth open
and
pectoral fin paddling to the side. The deep end has openings in it
but
the fish hang out in the shallows presumably to remain more hidden
under
the more opaque ice. I thought one of my 1.5 ft orfe was dead too
but when I looked later, he had moved. I wish I could talk to the
fish
and get them to stay in the deep end (26")! I sledged some ice off
part
of the falls today since it went above freezing (the shocks should
not
have reached the fish as it's not on the pond itself and I'm a
feable
hammerer plus they seemed ok) and threw it across the pond's ice
cover. I
also walked on the shallow ice (strange feeling to walk on your
pond!). I
ran some water into the pond to raise the level a little as it goes
down
from evaporation and drinking animals. I only let it go a little
over the
ice cover though as I'm always afraid some fish will go swimming on
top
and freeze. But, since they're too busy under the ice in the
shallow area
dying, they won't do that! It was 5-10 degrees F a few mornings in
the
last few weeks here in Zone 6/7, and the pond was almost frozen
except for
the falls (with the de-icer at the head of it). I bailed quite a
few
buckets of hot water recently and picked up a lot of ice (with water
gloves). I'm tired of it!
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