Greenhouse
Mays
Caring for Pond Fish
The most frequent predators of ornamental fish around here are raccoons and herons. They often have
no trouble wading into a shallow pond and plucking out brightly colored fish. Herons may deplete an entire pond of fish in one
sitting. The best defense for these predators is to build a pond too deep for them to wade into, usually a 2.5-3’ deep section
is too deep for a blue heron to acess. A pond with deep sides often discourages raccoons. Submerged plants, rocks, or
even clay pots allow fish a place to retreat when startled.
There are a number of diseases and parasites that may afflict pond fish, some fatal. It is best to identify the
problem, or to have someone else identify it from where the fish was purchased before treating. Fish stress, poor filtration and water quality often contribute to disease and parasite reproduction. Adding one cup of uniodized salt per one hundred gallons of pond water helps cure many problems, while lowering nitrite toxicity and relaxing the fish. Doubling the amount works even better, as long as no plants are present in your pond, as they may burn.
There are a number of diseases and parasites that may afflict pond fish, some fatal. It is best to identify the
problem, or to have someone else identify it from where the fish was purchased before treating. Fish stress, poor filtration and water quality often contribute to disease and parasite reproduction. Adding one cup of uniodized salt per one hundred gallons of pond water helps cure many problems, while lowering nitrite toxicity and relaxing the fish. Doubling the amount works even better, as long as no plants are present in your pond, as they may burn.
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Mays Greenhouse ©2010
Predators, Diseases, & Parasites