"ChrisGW" wrote in message
...
Well, We have had a 2500 gallon pond for about 10 years now and never had
a
problem with losing fish to animals until now. Our indoor/outdoor cat died
about
three weeks ago. We went away last week and when we got home this sunday
my wife
went out to feed the fish. There were none! We had six large Koi and about
20 or
more gold fish. We did count 5 small gold fish yesterday morning (under
two
inches) Have not seen them since.

We suspect musk rat or raccoons, but there were no signs of either. We do
have
both in the area. We do not suspect "foul" play because we have not seen
any
fish eating birds since we have been home.

The herons here often came early in the morning. We lost many fish before we
realized what was going on. We also saw a Kingfisher carry off fish. Then
were where fish eating snakes and large bullfrogs getting into the ponds.
Finally, in desperation, we netted them.

We have been talking of late of going to a smaller pond for maintenance
reasons.

Us too! My husband is planning to retire in less than 18 months. We're
discussing getting rid of all the fish and letting the ponds be more
natural. Just leave them be for frogs and whatever chooses to call them
home. One is 800g and the other is 2000g. This whole place is just too big
for us to take care of.

(we are not getting any younger). So I think this is a good time to do so.
The
liner is 10 years old, so I have gotten my moneys worth out of it and a
new
design would be a nice change. May even go for a more formal pond. We
shall see.

They need care as well.

Chris
--
RM....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~ }(((((o