Fish numbers down - leeches to blame??

no1catman

Hi, the number of fish in the pond seem to be going down every year, for no apparent reason - too well defended to be herons.
At least a couple of frogs, while they may be to blame for the absence of fish fry - have had no 'babies' for three years at least!?


However, I have seen leeches in the pond, and I wonder if they could be to blame - if so what's the most effective way of getting rid of them?

Froglet

Unless they are specific fish leeches (Google pictures of them ) any other kind of leech will cause no harm at all to the fish or fry.You would be able to spot a fish leech on a fish,close up anyway.

I have had leeches in every pond I have had and they have never been a problem.So long as you have good filtration and make sure the bottom of the pond doesn't get leaves and other bits building up,then the only explanation could be when the males chase the females in spring and summer and can be very rough.

However,I would remove the frogs,they don't belong in a fish pond.We had so many in our first pond that we dug them their own wildlife pond with no pump and lots of plants which keeps them happy and away from the fish pond.

no1catman

Maidenhead Aquatics didn't think they were a problem either.


having the pond cleaned tomorrow, and have someone in mind who has at least one wildlife pond for the frogs - there's at least two in there at the moment.


With everything out - it'll be interesting to see what the fish count will be!

no1catman

Maybe the numbers aren't as low as I feared. Too much weed obscured them! Counted them back in - at least forty-five, maybe a couple more if miscounted.
At least seven frogs, and several newts - they have been relocated to a new home - 'wildlife pond'.


Doubt if we'll have any fry this year - taken too much weed out!


Ah well, it will grow.

Froglet

If you're like me you will be glad of no more fry.I hate it when mine start getting frisky every year.Got too many now,and it's a struggle to find homes for them.Last year I took out as much weed with eggs on as I could,and let it dry out.That worked.

You will be better off without the frogs and newts,though I hope your friend lives a good distance away as they are a bit like homing pigeons!

Polmop

I thought it was too cold to do anything with the pond, am i ok to start working on it now

Froglet

What are you wanting to do ?

no1catman

The frogs left at just the right time - they were already paired up! Their new home is about three miles away, a place with at least four ponds - in separate section of the garden - bottom (last) one had the frogs, second one the newts (she said they will east the frog spawn - the first had her koi & goldfish in.


At one time, had over sixty fish, but possibly the evil heron found a way - more 'fortified' !


Two guys drained it, and as that being done, put the fish in a holding tank, dredged the bottom, jet cleaned the pump, repositioned some of the marginal plant pots, (I threaded the weed I wanted to keep into a basket), refilled it and while that was it process put the fish back in - much to their delight.
Took them about six hours.


I wouldn't have wanted to do much myself - the water is just too cold!!