"Spike" wrote in message
...

Hi there Im new here and looking for some input.

I have owned fish for a few years (cold water in a tank) and have
recently had the garden landscaped with decking and a sunken pond. We
also had a big Pergola built over the top for cover. After cycling the
pond - I have now been able to stock my pond. The pond's water level is
in line with the decking boards. I have my Koi (2 small metallic) some
gold fish, a small albino sturgeon, a small sterlet and as of last
weekend, Spike - my Stellatis Sturgeon - about 14". Spike I waited for
- until everything was totally pucker with the pond.

This morning I came down at 6:30 to a nightmare :-( Spike was lying in
the middle of the grassed lawn - some way from the decking/pond. He was
still breathing and no "visible" marks. To cut a long story short - he
didnt make it although I tried my best - floating him around the pond,
- he responded initially but I had no idea how long he had been out of
the water - or why !

$$ I don't know about sturgeons but I have found goldfish and koi on my lawn
as well. I believe they jumped out those times and flipped and flopped
until they were several feet from the pond. They had no marks on them at
all. With the bird netting they can't jump like that anymore. We haven't
lost one since the netting's.

Tonight I have put a "crass" net over the entire pond in case we have
any more predators. Now I am trying to work out what the options are
for what happened. I d appreciate any thoughts.

$$ You may have more than cats to worry about unless you're in the city. We
caught another young snapping turtle in our pond this morning. They will
take bites out of fish and can kill them when they're big enough.

a) |He jumped out of the pond - doubtful but I suppose possible

b) A Heron - although I think it would have taken off with the fish, it
would have had marks ???? or there would have been more fatalities??

$$ The herons and Kingfishers we have here always took the fish away as did
the snakes and bullfrogs. Snappers will leave fish body parts around the
pond. :-(

c) CAT ! My partner thinks this but I am not sure. He would certainly
be easy prey since Sturgeon do come around the surface in darkness and
he would have been easy to swoop !

Any ideas guys ? And also any advice on "custom made" nets/fitments
and where I can source one.

--
McKoi.... frugal ponding since 1995...
My Pond Page http://tinyurl.com/cuq5b
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