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The Mysterious Disappearance of Fish

© Marie A. Miczak

As the weather becomes warmer many gardeners are noticing new fry and fingerlings dashing around their pond. Then, seemingly overnight, they're gone. You poke around trying to stir them up but nothing. You look under pots. How could they simply disappear? Another common disappearance is small goldfish from barrel pond set ups. Barrel ponds are a favorite of new ponders and those with limited gardening space. They can even be maintained on decks and patios.

It seems like as it becomes warmer, the disappearances heat up as well. Once feral stray cats, raccoons or snakes are ruled out it can start to become very unnerving. Especially when it looks as if the pond hasn't been touched or disturbed. This is when many water gardeners start to imagine theft and begin eyeing their neighbors. Of course you can't blame them! The truth is people will much rather go to a pet store and buy a few small goldfish than traipse around your yard. Plus anyone who has had to catch a few of their own fish know how long it can take to catch even a sick one. Another look back at the animal would is in order here. Animals that leave few traces and work quickly. Often at times you are not about.

Have you been hearing chirps at night? Frogs can come seemingly from nowhere and if you've done a good job, make a home of your pond. Large frogs such as bullfrogs can easily make a meal of a nice sized goldfish with one gulp. They also are rather quick and can swim underwater to all of the crevices where your fish may be trying to hide. Even smaller frogs can completely wipe out your population of fry.

If a frog isn't to be found there very well could be an even stealthier culprit. Song birds! Yes you read right. Many enjoy the added benefit of song bird attraction after setting up their ponds. I might not have believed they could be responsible for stealing fish but I have recently seen it with my own eyes. A few feeder fish that were purchased for me and placed in a small pond as mosquito control (did a fantastic job and continue to) had been getting to know their new surroundings. Two came down with an awful form of ick. I have never seen it in such an aggressive, disgusting form before in my life. This is why it is often better to buy comets or more expensive fish for your pond and to most certainly

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