skip to main content

Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Bass caught a goldfish

17 years ago

The other day I noticed that the bass had caught a goldfish and was carrying it around in his mouth. The goldfish was pretty large, in relation to the bass, so that was an achievement for him. Usually he eats koi pellets with the goldfish and koi.

That is the first time I have ever seen him catch a fish. He is only about 9 or 10 inches long so not a large fish himself. He was having a hard time swallowing it.

The goldfish are not easy to catch so I suspect that goldfish was probably sick so easy to catch.

Most of the goldfish are much too large for him to eat.

I don't mind him eating the smaller ones though since I really have more than I have room for in the pond anyway.

That may sound cruel, but goldfish tend to overproduce and eventually start dying off in the pond from overcrowding if their numbers are not thinned.

I caught a couple of bass when I was fishing last summer and put them in the pond. One of them didn't make it through the winter, but this one is healthy and active.

So do you have a bass in your pond or considering getting one?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

ccoombs1
17 years ago
no way would I ever consider adding a bass to my pond. Not only are they predators who's main diet is fish, but they can introduce a bunch of parasites to my otherwise healthy collection of fish.
kirap
17 years ago
Been there done that and now I am happy they all have been removed. Bass and ornamental type fish just do not mix. Really not many other fish if they are smaller mixes with a bass anyhow as its all food to a bass.
Related Discussions
goldfish babies
Q
Comments (2)
thanks for the reply. i have a pretty good bit of plant life. mostly lilies and some parrot feather. i'll add some more as the weather warms. the mosquito fish or the shad could be the predator i guess. i wish i could get all of the shad out. they are a bit aggressive.
...See More
craigslist for giving away goldfish
Q
Comments (7)
This goes under "common sense", but be careful when dealing with someone from Craigslist (or anywhere for that matter). I recently responded to an ad asking for free koi because I have many to give away also. This guy even had a picture of his pond in the ad. When I emailed to say the pond redo was delayed a week, he responded with abusive emails, accusing me of setting him up, cursing, etc. It was really freaky! I'm just glad I had given him my address yet. Good luck.
...See More
Goldfish Behavior To Distressed Kin?
Q
Comments (2)
Have you tested your water? Fish lack the portions of the brain required for emotion, so no...they are not distressed about their kin that are trapped behind the wall. But what is possible is that dead fish behind the wall are decaying and making the water quality go bad. I'd check the water for ammonia and nitrites ASAP. Also check your pH. Use a test kit that uses drops of regent in a test tube, not the kind that uses the little dip strips. That kind is VERY unreliable. Another possibility is the annual cleaning stirred up some nasty stuff in the water and that's making them sick.
...See More
Oranda goldfish with genetic problems?
Q
Comments (11)
Update on my oranda. He is still floating upside down. I gave him epsom salt bath 2 days ago, for 25 minutes but unfortunately, swim bladder problem persists. 10% water change is performed weekly. All meds has been discontinued. I hand feed him strictly peas for 3 days now, twice a day, 2 mushed up peas each time. Since he has not eaten for at least 2 weeks (can't swim to food), I'm afraid that he will die of starvation if not hand fed. I just get a pinch of pea close to his mouth and he happily nibbles off my fingers. Can't bring myself to euthanise the poor guy, he deserves a chance. Swim bladder problem still there, but fins look well after melafix and pimafix treatment. Bottom of belly looks red at spots because that part is not exposed to water. The rest of body looks great, no loss of color. Thanks again for all your help. Maybe one day he can swim properly again.
...See More
christianme
17 years ago
catfishsam,I bet that was a sight!I guess that is why they are called big mouth bass lol!!!Last summer my son put bluegill in our pond with our koi and 1 goldy.I got tired of them eating my premium koi food.So he went fishing.
ademink
17 years ago
I have a bunch of bluegill in w/ my koi w/ no issues. The bluegill are breeding like made so I added a bass last summer for "crowd control". I have no idea if he's still in there or not but he needs to get to work! lol
mucky_waters
17 years ago
No bass, but in 2004, the first year we had our pond, while my boys and I were out canoeing in a local lake they scooped up a bunch of unknown fry that were schooling around in the shallow water. Not sure exactly how many they had in the bucket, but I would guess over a hundred. We took them home and dumped them into the pond, they looked nice schooling around in there, but the turtles immediately went to work thinning them out. Within a couple weeks the school was pretty much gone and there really wasn't much hope for the few remaining stragglers that by now had learned to spent most of there time hiding. But, just as things happen in the wild the fittest survive and two of those fry managed to survive and grow large enough for us to be able to tell what type of fish they are, and along with the goldfish and one koi we now know we have one perch and one pumpkinseed sunfish. Both are useful for keeping the goldfish population under control and add to the variety and interest of the pond as a whole.

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Peeling Back Layers in a 1908 Home

By Corynne Pless

Hidden fireplaces, buried hardwood and covered beadboard resurface thanks to a Mississippi couple's DIY efforts

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Koi Find Friendly Shores in Any Garden Style

By Marianne Lipanovich

A pond full of colorful koi can be a delightful addition to just about any landscape or garden

PETS Pet-Proofing Your Home: A Room-by-Room Guide

By Marianne Lipanovich

Not all pet dangers are obvious. Keep furry friends safe and sound by handling all of these potential hazards

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Natural Swimming Pools: More Beauty, No Chemicals

By Falon Mihalic

Keep your skin and the environment healthy with a pool that cleans itself, naturally

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

MOST POPULAR Houzz TV: Fred MacMurray’s Enduring Farmhouse Retreat

By Mary Jo Bowling

One of the most beloved actors of the 20th century traded fame for farm implements on this California ranch. His daughter shows us around

PHOTO FLIP 144 Gorgeous Homes Around the Globe

Feast your eyes on some of the hottest home designs from around the world

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Bid Bad Garden Bugs Goodbye and Usher In the Good

By Matt Kilburn

Give ants their marching orders and send mosquitoes moseying, while creating a garden that draws pollinators and helpful eaters

LIFE Simple Pleasures: Spoil Yourself

By Laura Gaskill

Renew your spirit by indulging in treats, quiet time and letting someone else do your chores for once

Sponsored

Snider & Metcalf Interior Design, LTD

23 Reviews

Leading Interior Designers in Columbus, Ohio & Ponte Vedra, Florida

More Discussions

Leak in my small inground prefab watergarden...?

1

pothos with yellow leaves

7

Stock tank cracked, New tank has brass drain

1

Growing impatiens in water

1