3rd Shift Goldfish

If you've been paying attention then you know I introduced 5 goldfish to the pond on September 16.  These were decent sized goldfish measuring at least 6 inches long.  Once release into the pond they swam around a bit and within an hour had disappeared.

We figured they were probably a bit timid in their new digs and after a couple of days would come out of hiding and become part of our backyard circus.

Not a chance.  Not one sighting on Friday or Saturday or Sunday... where were these guys.  I started thinking something terrible was wrong with my pond water and they had died.  I checked the skimmer each day but no fish bodies showed up. I tossed a little food in the pond and it just floated over the waterfall.  I didn't know what had happened but I was sure something bad had happened.

On Monday I went back to "The Lily Pad" pond store where I bought the fish and was telling the owner my concerns.  He asked if I had found any fish floating up-side-down.  I told him no.  He said that was a good sign.  He told me that sometimes when fish are introduced to a new environment they hide in the rocks during the day but will come out at night.  He suggested that I get up early some morning, grab my flashlight, quietly approach the pond, shine the light into the pond and if the fish Gods have been look'n out for these guys I would see some of them swimming around.

The thought did cross my mind that he could have been sending me on a snipe hunt.  He was that kinda guy.  I decided to throw caution to the wind (it was 4:30 in the morning for cry'n out loud... who would see me?) and Tuesday morning, day 5 after fish introduction to the pond.  I got up early, grabbed the flashlight and off I went in search of the elusive (snipe) goldfish.

Well color me orange and call me Goldie.  I immediately saw 2 fish cruising around the pond.  It was just like the guy had predicted and I've never been on a snipe hunt that was successful either.

I'm relieved they are okay.  I'm wondering what I have to do to get them to make an appearance during the day.  My theory is the water is cold, 62 degrees, and thus they aren't needing much in the way of food.  Once the water warms into the 70's I expect they will be happy to take a handout.  When they get hungry I'll have a tool to get their schedule so we can see them from time to time.  At least that's the current plan.  It will also help once the August algae clears... it's getting there but maybe another couple of weeks.

Now I just need to figure out how the fish and the toadlets can get along next summer.  I've read that toads taste bad... hope so for their sake.

Whoohoo.