Queen of the Pond

[luckies4me]

I will be able to see my Queen now and again, with how big and white she is, she will definatley be very easy to spot.

Doesn't this concern you at all? I'm just very confused. I can't imagine having a fish for that long and just tossing her into a pond knowing that something can come along and snatch her up.

[luckies4me]

Also please excuse me if I am being too harsh or rude. I really do not mean to come off that way. I'm pregnant and moody...just concerned for the girl.

[IRescue452]

*She may turn black for a week or so and you will have a hard time spotting her then. Her whole body will probably turn black as she heals from ammonia burns. It surprises some people how black they turn because the fish "looked perfectly healthy" and they can't imagine how bad the ammonia burns actually were*

My only concern was the pond was landlocked and on private property, which it is. It is illegal and immoral to let farm raised fish go in rivers and lakes and such because of outcompeting natural fish and carrying disease. But since this is a friend's pond it would be alright. You should see the Asian carp in the rivers here. They outcompete everything and take over.

As far as how many 1" tropicals can go in a 55 gallon tank, it all depends on the species. There is no magic rule that all trops can be stocked together or at the same level. I suggest you start out with a mix of three or four species at low levels and work your way up from there. Pick a centerpiece fish you really want and build the tank around that species. There is also no perfect pH. Let the ph settle naturally and don't use any chemicals. Fish can adjust fine to a pH from 5-9 so don't worry about pH at all. I'll be more than happy to supply you with info about any fish you are considering.

What's a 1" tropical anyway. There are very few tropicals under 3". You always stock by adult size regardless of whether you purchase baby fish or adults."

[Kalei]

Doesn't this concern you at all? I'm just very confused. I can't imagine having a fish for that long and just tossing her into a pond knowing that something can come along and snatch her up.

No you haven't come off the wrong way, I understand what you mean. I'm sorry I didn't explain better. Yes, the pond was manmade, one of my friend's grandfather dug it many many years ago, and ever since it has been there with many happy goldfish. We know there is no wild animals that will hurt Queen for a few reasons, one is that her two dogs are back there all the time (they don't drink or go in the water), but they would keep anything wild away, her horse is back there just eating and walking around it(she does not go in it seeing as she's old and doesn't like water lol. And being surrounded by a layer of trees and having many of our human things laying around the pond, the things we keep there scares any wild birds away. Such as a scare crow would keep the crows away from something.

When I said natural pond, I guess I said natural because for years no one feeds the fish there, they eat all the natural food in the pond, which would be bugs. I would never put Queen there if I knew she was in danger, and I can go and see her no problem anyday I want to go up to my friends place.

Sorry IRescue,when I meant 1" fish, I meant tetras and female bettas, I guess they are a little over one inch, but they seem to be about only an inch and a half when I look at them. I've had a tropical tank before, but it was but it was just years ago, I just want to make sure I don't overstock the tank.

And yes I know it will most likely take more than a week, I won't put any fish in it til I see that it is cleared, cycled and healthy looking water

Also, if a bird ever did decide to swoop down into the pond area, my friend could see it from her house. But a bird can swoop down to even a very looked after pond by someone's house if they really wanted to.

[Argranade]

Awww I'm so happy Queen has a new HUGE home,

There's only one question I have.

Where will she go in .. Winter?

[Kalei]

All the fish in that pond stay at the bottom in the winter, its a deep pond and it never freezes completely, so all the fish stay at the bottom together, or most natural goldfish hibernate under mudd in the winter, if I wanted to I could probably find a place for her to stay in the winter too.

I'm sorry if some of you think that its absolutely mean that she is in a pond that is a little more natural than most, but all these goldfish in it have lived there for years and years and always get through the winters for years and years.

[Kalei]

I would never put Queen anywhere if I knew she would end up dead, ever in my life. I know this pond and so does my bestfriend seeing as its hers, and she goes back there everyday, its only 30 feet away from the house.

[CathyBogart]

I think it's lovely! The only problem we run into in my area with pond fish is raccoons, and if the dogs are there to guard against those, why...I can't see a problem. Many many goldfish live many happy years outdoors, even during the winter. I hope we still get to see pictures of her from time to time.

[Kalei]

I think it's lovely! The only problem we run into in my area with pond fish is raccoons, and if the dogs are there to guard against those, why...I can't see a problem. Many many goldfish live many happy years outdoors, even during the winter. I hope we still get to see pictures of her from time to time.

Thanks so much, I'm pretty sure you will get to see pictures of her again, next time i'm there I am going to try and take some more pictures of her just so that I can show she is doing well

And Yep, they have three dogs, so no raccoons are ever around, they're probably too scared to try to come around with three dogs roaming the property lol, they have chickens too so the dogs are around to scare raccoons away from them too

[IRescue452]

Mine hibernate too, about 2 months in the winter. I drop the goldfish tanks below 55F and stop feeding them. They do fine and I know Queen will as well.

[Husky15]

You did the right thing, Kalei. I know Queen is happy to have a nice new huge tank.

I'm no expert on fish, but I would think that by the time winter comes she would be adjusted to the natural living and have the instinct to do what the other fish do and hibernate.