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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Something scared my fish and frogs!

16 years ago

Yesterday was rainy and grey. I went out this morning to a deserted pond! I could not see any of my 5 fish or 20+ frogs. After noon I found one fish, obviously hiding in some plants. Eventually I saw 3 fish hiding under the skimmer so I'm hopeful that all 5 are still in there somewhere. I also saw a couple of frogs.

There was no sign of a racoon. I can see how a heron would scare fish but frogs too? What do you think it might have been? I've never had any trouble with predators before.

And everyone was so happy yesteday morning ;-(

BasilB

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Comments (8)

pikecoe
16 years ago
Herons will eat frogs as quick as they will eat fish. I vote Heron. This may be a first time, but I guarantee it won't be the last if it is a Heron. Glenda
pikecoe
16 years ago
How are your fish and frogs reacting today? Did you find all of them? Herons are very hard to spot, they move so slowly and sneakily. They will sit beside a pond perfectly still for hours waiting for a fish or frog to make a move. The one that visits my pond will walk round and round it, but since I have a net on it he finally gets bored or frightened away. But He still comes back to look and drool. Glenda
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Hi Mike: My pond never froze over either. I, too, had a solar pond cover on mine which the wind blew off because it never had a chance to freeze to the surface of the pond. I did a walk around this week and scared five to six frogs in my top pond. When I cleaned my settlement pond last fall I had to put over 100 taddies in a pail till I was done. I got so tired of removing them I left about a foot of silt in the bottom of the pond. I may end up moving out so the frogs can stay. lol My fish are up and begging for food, but I haven't fed them yet. There is lots of algae for them to graze on right now. Oh yes, and there are the things you hoped wouldn't live though the winter: like the darn pennywort I put in the pond last year that took over the whole surface. It's sprouting from under the rocks surrounding the pond. I think I'm sorry I ever put it in the pond. It took me 3-4 hours to clear the surface of the pond last fall. I had to cut through the stuff with a hacksaw blade. All my marginals are growing and need to be divided. My whole top pond is covered in duckweed. My lotus plant that I overwintered in the house (which I thought had died) is now sprouting since I moved it outside. I have got my work cut out for me though. I have to totally rebuild my top pond due to erosion. But it looks like Spring has spring. Ponders, start your pumps!!!!!!!!!!! Jenny
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comettose
16 years ago
I agree - a heron scare. Might be time to consider keeping a berry net on hand.
basilbird
Original Author
16 years ago
Well... some good news. I saw 4 of my 5 fish (but no "Spot" - my favorite). They were all hiding under the skimmer all day. There are two swiming around very cautiously now but the others are still hiding.

Frog count was a max of 6 (including a little tiny one). They were the first out this morning. I'm hoping the others will come back.

I feel guilty because I was priding myself on how clean the water had become after adding some barley extract. Of course it's still way too early for my plants to cover much and all the trees haven't leafed out yet. As my mother siad, those 5 orange fish could be seen by satellite!

I can't really net my pond - just wouldn't look right or be practical. There are lots of good hiding places for the fish and frogs and I've always said it was a "wildlife pond" not a "fish pond". Still... they were so happy chasing each other last week. I hate to think their perfect little world was invaded.

BasilB
pikecoe
16 years ago
That is what happens always. If a Heron comes they will get the favorite one first. I'm afraid you have a Heron Pond now. Hopefully the fish will always be able to dash to the hiding places when the Heron comes around. It's doubtful the way they just stand over the pond motionless until the fish make the wrong move. Glenda
basilbird
Original Author
16 years ago
It's a heron, alright. Just saw the monster. He is ENORMOUS! Tried to get a photo but he flew off. Not sure what to do next. Maybe a water cannon (but the poor kitties who drink from the pond!)
lyn_r
16 years ago
Placing a net over your pond temporarily will solve the heron problem. After about a week the heron will realize it is not going to get the fish and will move on.
r_clarkie_hotmail_com
12 years ago
i was so close to a heron buy my fish pond just wish i had a camra lovely to see.But can anyone tell me why i have still got a few frogs in my fish pond i always thought thay went off once thay had mated thay left lots of frogs spawn in spring so i made a new pond and moved it so the fish wouldnt eat it but today when i was cleaning my pond out a bit i pulled a green and black frog and a small brown frog out in the net so quickly released them and thay went straight back into the bottom of the pond so do we think thay leave our ponds or do thay just stay there all the time

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