Water snail invasion!

Froglet

juliebunny wrote: »

The goldfish lived for a few years - they were small and only 2 of them - I heard they grow to the size of the tank - is that a myth?? I thought about putting them in the fishpond but worried that would kill them as it's so cold...or they may get diseases from my outdoor pond? They were quite tough. I drove them home over 200 miles in my car to bring them home after I inherited them.

The wee ones are definitely not goldfish. I will try and find out what they are. I would love to liberate them to the pond as long as the big goldfish and frogs won't eat them! Only other issue is that pond need re-lining.... I tried to take a photo and failed miserably! :rotfl::rotfl: They kept swimming away :rotfl::rotfl:

Hi Julie.I'm afraid it is a cruel myth that has caused a lot of suffering.Their skeletal development will be slowed down somewhat but sadly their internal organs don't stop developing.So you can imagine what sort of damage that does.It crushes their organs against their skelton and results in a slow death.Added to that the smaller the amount of water in a tank,the harder it is to keep the quality good,and the ammonia they excrete from their waste,diluted until the filter can deal with it.

It sounds as if the fish are a type of tropical and if you always have a warmish room,the water won't get cold enough to affect them.Some fish can manage without heat but they struggle as the temperature can fluctuate so much.

I would keeep trying to identify them,just so that you know you are giving them the right conditions.Or how about getting a comprehensive book out of the library and looking it up.i can't begin to guess ,even though i have kept both coldwater and tropcals for over 20 years.There are so many!

Howvere,this website has a lot of very experienced people and may be able to recognise them from a detailed description.Certainly don't put them in the pond until you know!

http://forum.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/

juliebunny

Thanks froglet, sounds like you know your stuff. Think I may just pop to where I got them from and just ask. Although getting a photo might be more fun?

Assume you are frog mad too?? I want to build a frog house in my garden - any ideas on that? My neighbours cat caught and injured one this weekend and I had to whisk him to the wildlife rescue. I want to build some shelter for my pond froggies - got loads of tadpoles.:T

Froglet

All that i know has been learnt both from experience and from reading,first books,then lots of info on the internet.

I still go to Practical Fishkeeping if i have a problem,they are great.

Frogs.Ah yes.I love them but since newts took up residence the tadpoles don't stand a chance,as they eat them when first hatched.But i do have a few frogs,not so many now,they are in decline so anything you can do to raise the numbers would be great.You can buy frog houses,but why bother.So long as you have lots of plant cover around the pond,and a log pile ,rotting logs are best for attracting slugs and insects,they will make their own hidey places.

I love all creatures and wouldn't hurt them but cats are my number one enemy in the garden.I feed lots of birds,and do try to protect my fish from them and herons.Until i lost my dog 2 years ago they didn't come near but the odd one does stray into the garden now and again. Luckily i am at home most of the time so can keep a close eye.

Did you know you can help tadpoles by feeding them flake fish,it gives them a much better chance of survival.

juliebunny

Ah yes, I love newts, we used to have loads in our pond when I was a kid! I didn't know they ate tadpoles though! I think the goldfish probably do too....I put rocks up at the shallow end of the pond so the taddies can hide there away from the fish.

I read that tadpoles love lettuce - cooked - and tried it out last year - bingo, it was like a feeding frenzy!! The goldfish flakes would be a lot easier though! Got some great pics, must try and find them :j

I do put in pellets and there are plants in the pond too. I feel like I need to help them all get big and survive to even out the odds vs the cats....yes I had a massive lecture from the lady at the wildlife rescue about the cats but when I said I could get rid of the pond she begged me not to and said better to lose a few to the cats than the hundreds I would be taking a home away from if I took out the pond.:(

Luckily my cats don't catch birds (that I know of) and I keep them in from dusk until about 7am - although this is primarily for their own safety too.

Sorry about your dog....maybe you could get another one?