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#1
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Koi and Comets interbreeding and overpopulation
Hello all,
We have a 2,500 gallon pond, two 3,000 gal/hr pumps (usually only run one at a time) with a stream and waterfalls here in Southern California. We had three koi at one point but lost two (one to a dog raid on our pond and another to physical problems). We have corrected both problems. We now have a single koi and several comets, but they appear to be inter-breeding.We now have a great many (a couple dozen fry and larger offspring), some black, some mixed colors, etc.). My understanding is that these mules are sterile, but it seems like everyday I see more fry. Although I am glad the pond is healthy and producing, I am concerned about what to do about the potential overpopulation of the pond. Do you cull a pond? (I hate to think about this). If so, how is it done humanely? Thank you in advance. We rescue spiders in the house and release them outdoors, so the idea of killing our pond inhabitants is not attractive. best, OD |
#2
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Koi and Comets interbreeding and overpopulation
Why do you think the comets are interbreeding with the Koi? Could it not be
that the comets are merely breeding amongst themselves? As far as getting the fry out, with a pond that large I would suggest using a minnow trap. The kind you buy at a fishing or sporting goods store that ususally looks like a tunnel with two funnels, one at each end. They allow the fry to enter but not leave (sort of like "Hotel California"). Once you have them out of the pond there are several things you could try. Is there a local pond or aquarium club where your could sell or trade them? How about to a local fish or pet store? Other hobbyists or ponders? If there is no other option there are several ways to humanely euthanize fish but I will leave it to others to describe the methods. "old dirtbeard" wrote in message et... Hello all, We have a 2,500 gallon pond, two 3,000 gal/hr pumps (usually only run one at a time) with a stream and waterfalls here in Southern California. We had three koi at one point but lost two (one to a dog raid on our pond and another to physical problems). We have corrected both problems. We now have a single koi and several comets, but they appear to be inter-breeding.We now have a great many (a couple dozen fry and larger offspring), some black, some mixed colors, etc.). My understanding is that these mules are sterile, but it seems like everyday I see more fry. Although I am glad the pond is healthy and producing, I am concerned about what to do about the potential overpopulation of the pond. Do you cull a pond? (I hate to think about this). If so, how is it done humanely? Thank you in advance. We rescue spiders in the house and release them outdoors, so the idea of killing our pond inhabitants is not attractive. best, OD |
#3
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Koi and Comets interbreeding and overpopulation
you need a few orfes in there to get rid of the eggs. they are
natural birth control. Ingrid On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:52:14 CST, "old dirtbeard" wrote: Although I am glad the pond is healthy and producing, I am concerned about what to do about the potential overpopulation of the pond. |
#4
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Koi and Comets interbreeding and overpopulation
"old dirtbeard" wrote in message et... Hello all, brevity snips Although I am glad the pond is healthy and producing, I am concerned about what to do about the potential overpopulation of the pond. It's a constant problem in our ponds. Every year we have to drain down both the 800g and 2000g ponds to remove the excess and unwanted fry. These small fish are sold or traded for store credit locally. But we're getting tired of all the extra work involved now that we're getting up in years. I've been asking around about a hormone that may stop all the spawning. So far.... no luck. We're considering pulling off the nets, selling off all the fish and turning the ponds in to wildlife ponds. Do you cull a pond? (I hate to think about this). Yes, or the ponds would reach critical numbers of fish and crash. If so, how is it done humanely? Anything deformed or not salable for some reason is given to locals who want fish for mosquito control. We're in a rural area so farm ponds abound. These culls don't last long enough to breed in open ponds due to predation. Thank you in advance. We rescue spiders in the house and release them outdoors, so the idea of killing our pond inhabitants is not attractive. I'm with you 100%. I'm against the killing of animals except for food. -- RM.... Frugal ponding since 1995. rec.ponder since late 1996. My Pond & Aquarium Pages: http://tinyurl.com/9do58 Zone 6. Middle TN USA ISP: Hughes.net ~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö |
#5
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Koi and Comets interbreeding and overpopulation
"old dirtbeard" wrote:
Hello all, We have a 2,500 gallon pond, two 3,000 gal/hr pumps (usually only run one at a time) with a stream and waterfalls here in Southern California. We had three koi at one point but lost two (one to a dog raid on our pond and another to physical problems). We have corrected both problems. We now have a single koi and several comets, but they appear to be inter-breeding.We now have a great many (a couple dozen fry and larger offspring), some black, some mixed colors, etc.). My understanding is that these mules are sterile, but it seems like everyday I see more fry. Although I am glad the pond is healthy and producing, I am concerned about what to do about the potential overpopulation of the pond. Do you cull a pond? (I hate to think about this). If so, how is it done humanely? Thank you in advance. We rescue spiders in the house and release them outdoors, so the idea of killing our pond inhabitants is not attractive. best, OD I put mosquito fish in my pond to keep that population down. As a desirable side effect, they are also very effective at keeping the spawn population down too. In the past two years I have had just 1 shibunkin make it to adulthood. Where in so cal do you live? County vector control usually gives them away. San Diego Joe 4,000 - 5,000 Gallons. Koi, Goldfish, and RES named Colombo. |
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