Water Garden Fish Care And Pond Fish Problems | FAQ & Answers Part 6
Welcome to part 6, the final installment of this pond keeping frequently asked questions series. Today I would like to talk about some problems that will on occasion affect your water garden fish ...
Why Have My Fish Got White Spots On Their Body?
This is probably a fungal disease and immediate expert advice should be sought. Fungal infections are often spread amongst the fish population at a rapid rate.
In the early stages it is often possible to cure using topical remedies or anti biotic courses. The infected individual will usually need to be quarantined and treated in isolation.
Click Fish Care Articles to gain further information regarding how to recognize pond fish diseases and care for fish ...
My Fish are Gasping for Air at Pond Surface
This is particularly common in hot sunny weather when the water temperature is higher. Warm water is physically not able to hold as much oxygen as cold water.
It is also more difficult for atmospheric oxygen to dissolve into pond water in these conditions. When you see your fish gulping this is not a good sign and is a sure fire indicator that you need to introduce more oxygen into the pond.
The best way to do this is to add a Pond Air Pump, fountain or waterfall to your existing set up.
I'm Sure I Had More Fish Yesterday Than Today!
Your pond has probably become a favorite haunt of a predator of some description, targeting an easy meal. Herons and other birds such as king fishers are the usual suspects but snakes and other animals have been known to take fish.
Watch early morning activity and late afternoon activity close to your pond. There are many predator scarers on the market, some better than and more effective than others.
Herons are a common pest and how to stop herons eating your fish? is a common question. The best solution is to use a fake heron, as heron's are territorial and will more than likely stay away from a competitors patch.
Click here to see Animal Deterrent Products including the blue heron deterrent on this site ...
My Fish Are Chasing Each Other
Love is in the air hey!. For your water garden fish anyway! This is normal behavior in spring and is the courtship behavior of fish. This behavior can be quite aggressive and if very bad you may want to isolate the female, to prevent her from being hurt or impregnated.
Where Have all the Fish Eggs Gone?
Chances are the eggs have been eaten by other fish and by predators such as frogs or toads. This is normal. You can protect fish eggs by separating them into a floating chamber such as a Fine Net using a polystyrene ring as a floatation aid. This will also protect the newborn fish from being eaten by other pond inhabitants.
Why Are My Goldfish Black?
The majority of goldfish are born black and only develop their orange gold color after about 6 months or so. During their early days the black coloring helps to protect them from predators as they can easily hide in the shadows, away from bigger fish, their parents and birds etc.
Why Are My Fish Rubbing Themselves Against The Pond Sides?
This is usually an indication of a parasitic infection of some kind. Unfortunately as they rub themselves in an attempt to itch themselves they also remove protective scales.
This makes the wounds prone to ulcers and seriously dangerous bacterial diseases. Fish fatalities are fairly common if early expert help is not sought.
Click here to take a look at the How To Care For Pond Fish Articles on this site ...
