Well said, Jan - a little more info and fewer barbs - what this group needs
Gale :~)

Okay, I will get it out of there . However, don't act like leaving it
is absurd:

Ignore Roy, we do. ;-)

1)I've read that if ice forms in the winter you shouldn't pound on it
so you don't disturb the domant Koi. Certainly hitting with a new would
disturb them even more.
2) Fish die all the time in nature and nobody gets them out.

Yup, but that doesn't mean it is good for the rest of the living... and in
nature there would be critters still active at low temps to eat the dead
fish. Right now it is polluting your water quality, which isn't good when
you only have 500 gallons.

3) If the pond was covered in snow/ice, you wouldn't even know there
was a dead fish to remove.

True, but you can't use that excuse cause you peeked. ;o) ~ jan

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~