Overstocked pond

Mick Mutlow · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:03 pm Post subject: Overstocked pond

Hi guys
This time last year in my 600 + gallon plus pond, I had 4 koi, 2 shubunkin and 12 goldfish. I still have the koi (now ranging from 12 inches to 8 inches) and everything else, but I reckon I have gained about 20 - 30 goldfish through breeding - maybe more. It's all very nice and I feel honoured but it is getting a problem with overstocking. I don't want the issue of ammonia etc.
These additions came about last year and I thought they would perish during the winter but I was wrong. They are all a nice size and still growing.
I appreciate I have to lose many fish, but the problem is how? I tried to catch some of them a few weeks ago, but having spent all day doing so, I caught 3 and gave them to the in laws for their pond.
They were really hard to catch and I gave up after they obviously grew wise to the net. The pond was getting disturbed with plants flying all over the place, me nearly falling in and the neighbours laughing and I was worried about stressing the other fish.
Any tips on how I can fish them out and who to give them to?
Mick

ForumAdmin · Site Admin

The answer is not one net but two. It is what they do in the dealers - youchase the fish around in to the other net, or corner them. Much quicker, safer, less stressful - for both you and the fish, and less laughable.
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Neil Roberts - forum admin.