Midnight Assault in the Pond

[stevej37]

Went out to the turtle pond this am to feed them. With this hot weather they eat about double. The turtle bowl had some pellets still left in it.

I went to top it off and one of the fish swam up looking for some food. He is about 10 inches long and now he can't eat. His whole mouth is gone. I dropped a couple pellets in front of him, but he couldn't create any water suction to draw it in.

First I thought of was the turtles, now I think it might have been a raccoon or cat. Their sandy pawprints are on the upper ledge of the pond almost every morning.
I'm really not sure of what did it.

[pwd72s]

Damn...I'd guess Raccoon. But really doesn't matter. Havaheart makes a trap that will catch either. If a raccoon, I'd suggest relocating some miles away. A cat? Knock on doors, see if you can find an owner...

Sorry about the loss of that beautiful Koi...

[masraum]

Poor fella!

[stevej37]

^^^
There are a couple stray cats that I see around the edges of my property....I think the neighbors feed them sometimes. I have seen them during the night on the pond ledge and I chase them away.
Raccoons are all over this area. I have a live trap, but I'm hesitant to use it because I'll prob catch a skunk.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by masraum

Poor fella!

The strange part is that he is swimming around like nothing has happened to him.
I'll net him out tonight...he can't live without eating.

[Bill Douglas]

Sorry to hear this Steve. I know you love the fish.

Can you have some wire mesh elevated 6"above the water?

[stevej37]

^^^ It could be done...but it would be a nuisance. I need to clean the filters about every week and they are on the bottom of the pond in the water.
The turtles are safe...their shells are like armor.

I'll get another one to replace him...I think he was only about a dollar from Walmart about 6 years ago. (maybe one inch long then)

[pwd72s]

At the very least, place a "cave" at the bottom of the pond that fish can hide in...maybe a section of concrete pipe?

[stevej37]

^^^ Yes, I do with stools that hold the water plants. I have four one-step plastic stools in the pic.
Should be plenty to provide protection....but who knows what happens at night.

[GH85Carrera]

We had a 4 foot tall blue heron land in our back yard and help itself to an expensive sushi meal. By federal law I can't go shoo it away. That is harassment of a endangered migratory bird. Fortunately my dogs don't know that law. We lost three Koi. After that we put up trimmer line in a star pattern over the pod. It is supposed to keep them away as they fear getting tangled in the line. For the last 8 years, no missing fish. Had we not seen that giant bird, we would have never know how they vanished.

Maybe put an electrical wire around your pond. A few shocks will keep any critter away. Just turn it off when you go out to feed the turtles.



You can see the copper rods I hammered into the ground. I drilled a hole in the top, and we string the trimmer cord through.

[stevej37]

^^^
The first pond I built on the deck was smaller. I had a real problem with the neighbors cats at that time.(about 6 years ago)

I used one of those electric pest deterrent fencers.
I placed fiber poles carrying the hot wire around the top and had to cover the base ledge with thin sheet steel that was grounded. It worked.....I might have to do that again.

[pwd72s]

Whatever works for you...but one thing is certain...the culprit will return unless taught to give up.

[stevej37]

I'm just happy that it's not any of the turtles that were harmed.

The fish are cheap (a dollar or so) and their main job is to follow and clean after the turtles.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

The strange part is that he is swimming around like nothing has happened to him.
I'll net him out tonight...he can't live without eating.

Yep. Can't survive, and is probably feeling discomfort.

next stop...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I'm just happy that it's not any of the turtles that were harmed.

No kidding, that would seriously suck.

I'm sure that you've seen the videos of the turtle on the little skateboard harassing the cat. I saw another the other day, some guy holding some food for a turtle just out of the turtle's reach to get him some "exercise". The little turtle was swimming so fast chasing the food that he was "up on a plane" like a speed boat. It was surprising how fast he was moving for a bite of food.

[stevej37]

A pic of the one mentioned above with the electric poles....about a quarter of the size of todays pond. Pic is from 2007

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by masraum

No kidding, that would seriously suck.

I'm sure that you've seen the videos of the turtle on the little skateboard harassing the cat. I saw another the other day, some guy holding some food for a turtle just out of the turtle's reach to get him some "exercise". The little turtle was swimming so fast chasing the food that he was "up on a plane" like a speed boat. It was surprising how fast he was moving for a bite of food.

Yes, I posted a few of that turtle in the Youtube Shorts thread.
The small turtles are very fast..if they can get traction.

[KFC911]

Poor fishy ....

[stevej37]

^^^ there is an identical twin to it in the pond yet...unharmed. I put both of them in the pond at the same time years back.
The good one sticks right beside the harmed one...almost like he knows it is almost done.

[Bill Douglas]

Umm, sad.

It may be an idea to setup a trail camera or adjust the pond-cam to see who is guilty. Racoon or cat.