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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Fish learning new tricks

15 years ago

The majority of my fish are as old as the pond. In the past decade, they have never touched my water hyacinth. The turtles have been eating the roots all summer and now the fish have began to munch on the roots as well. I can only assume that the fish watched the turtles eating it and learned from their observations. There is no threat to the water hyacinths, as I have a healthy crop that will be tossed out soon enough anyway. I guess the goldfish were taught well in their school by professor turtle.

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Comments (8)

nkm56
15 years ago
Monkey see, monkey do. I love aquatic turtles, but I'm afraid they'll nip the fins of my butterfly koi.
delaney276
15 years ago
John...Do you have any pictures of your pond?
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johnkr
Original Author
15 years ago
Nancy, the turtles are about 5-6 inches long, which is just about the same size as most of the fish. The fish actually bump the turtles to push the them out of the way during feeding. The turtles are adults and feed mostly on plants. Along with the hyacinth roots, they eat watercrest, lettuce (not water lettuce), peas and carrots. I don't think they would bother the fish if they could even catch them in the first place. Painteds seem like very gentle creatures.

Dave, you can see a 5-6 year old photo of my pond if you click on my name or My Page listed next to posted by at the top of the post. The only changes have involved the waterfall. I don't have any current photos of the entire pond.

{{gwi:231718}}

{{gwi:231719}}
destany
15 years ago
Ooooh, I wish I had some turtles!
John, your photos are lovely!
delaney276
15 years ago
Very nice John...Makes ponding more enjoyable when you can see everything LOL....Dave
steve1young
15 years ago
John, Your turtle are too cool! What kind are they and where did you get them? I'm feeling inspired! Steve
johnkr
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the complements. The turtles are Painted Turtles and they are native to about half of the United States and parts of Canada. The Eastern Painted variety is very abundant in my region.

{{gwi:231720}}
Deborah Harvey
15 years ago
Wow...Johnkr, thanks for the photos.
I just love your pond, the turtles are soo cute. Did you buy them or did they "find" you?

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