I have a large pond on my land, about the size of a tennis court normally, but down to about 1/4 of that size at the moment due to the drought, the water that is left is very shallow. I have had a pump going for months now to keep the water oxygenated. Yesterday I used the pump to move some more water into the main part to keep as much water as possible where the fish were. Stupidly I forgot to move the pump back in to where the fish were and this morning there were 6 dead carp. I immediately turned the pump back on and left for work, sadly when I got back this evening almost all the bigger fish were dead.
They're not monsters but I've just put 50 dead carp up to about 15lb into plastic bags for disposal, it looks like a huge oxygen crash overnight, and despite turning the pump back on first thing it was too late to save the fish, only one larger carp is alive although most of the small ones have survived.
Lesson learned sadly, don't assume you can go a single day without oxygenating the water when conditions are as bad as they are at the moment.
They're not monsters but I've just put 50 dead carp up to about 15lb into plastic bags for disposal, it looks like a huge oxygen crash overnight, and despite turning the pump back on first thing it was too late to save the fish, only one larger carp is alive although most of the small ones have survived.
Lesson learned sadly, don't assume you can go a single day without oxygenating the water when conditions are as bad as they are at the moment.
In reply to Post #1
so sorry to hear this mate must be heart breaking
so sorry to hear this mate must be heart breaking
In reply to Post #2
Thanks Gerry. Yea I'm gutted really as it was my own fault, that pump had been running 24 hours a day for the last 3 months, I stupidly thought they would be OK for one night. Wrong!
Luckily it wasn't the fish in the pond nearer my house, some of the fish in there are our longest surviving pets including a mirror and grass carp that are both about mid 20's. The mirror and some of the others were actually brought home as fingerlings in a 2 litre ice cream container from a lake I was fishing (with the owners permission) nearly 30 years ago. They started off in a little tank in the front room of our flat and every time we moved they have moved to a bigger pond. Their pond has a filter system and TWO pumps running 24/7 so the water quality is much better and it's easier to keep topped up.
Thanks Gerry. Yea I'm gutted really as it was my own fault, that pump had been running 24 hours a day for the last 3 months, I stupidly thought they would be OK for one night. Wrong!
Luckily it wasn't the fish in the pond nearer my house, some of the fish in there are our longest surviving pets including a mirror and grass carp that are both about mid 20's. The mirror and some of the others were actually brought home as fingerlings in a 2 litre ice cream container from a lake I was fishing (with the owners permission) nearly 30 years ago. They started off in a little tank in the front room of our flat and every time we moved they have moved to a bigger pond. Their pond has a filter system and TWO pumps running 24/7 so the water quality is much better and it's easier to keep topped up.
In reply to Post #1
Sorry to hear this mate.
Sorry to hear this mate.
In reply to Post #4
Thanks Tazi, final count was 70 dead carp, 3 of a similar size survived, along with literally hundreds of small carp and goldfish (rescued from a neighbours pond many years ago). All currently in a 12ft x 3ft pool with pump running 24/7.
Some of the littl'uns are beautiful but I can see a restocking happening. I've been looking at VS Fisheries website!
Thanks Tazi, final count was 70 dead carp, 3 of a similar size survived, along with literally hundreds of small carp and goldfish (rescued from a neighbours pond many years ago). All currently in a 12ft x 3ft pool with pump running 24/7.
Some of the littl'uns are beautiful but I can see a restocking happening. I've been looking at VS Fisheries website!
In reply to Post #5
Gutted for you mate and hope it's something you're able to come back from.
Gutted for you mate and hope it's something you're able to come back from.
In reply to Post #5
Sorry to read that, but good luck with your stocking the vs are great fish
Sorry to read that, but good luck with your stocking the vs are great fish
In reply to Post #5
what a sad loss, just goes to show what a fine balance your pond must have been on.
Viv's a top bloke, you wont go far wrong with him or his fish.
Dave at Front fish are also exceptional
Ive bought carp from both of them
what a sad loss, just goes to show what a fine balance your pond must have been on.
Viv's a top bloke, you wont go far wrong with him or his fish.
Dave at Front fish are also exceptional
Ive bought carp from both of them
In reply to Post #5
It's not a nice experience when you see all those years of nurturing from fry all gone in an few hours, from what you have posted it sounds like the stock was relying on the pump?
If you was going to re-stock I'd be thinking about lower numbers a tad (Size dependant) so you only need the Pump for emergencies, just a thought
It's not a nice experience when you see all those years of nurturing from fry all gone in an few hours, from what you have posted it sounds like the stock was relying on the pump?
If you was going to re-stock I'd be thinking about lower numbers a tad (Size dependant) so you only need the Pump for emergencies, just a thought
In reply to Post #9
even on my very low stock koi pond of 13,000 gallons i have two air pumps running at full pelt 24/7, i darent risk losing the ones ive got
even on my very low stock koi pond of 13,000 gallons i have two air pumps running at full pelt 24/7, i darent risk losing the ones ive got
In reply to Post #3
Heart breaking mate - I know how it feels...
Keep an eye on the fish in the new pond - they have a habit of jumping out when moved.
Heart breaking mate - I know how it feels...
Keep an eye on the fish in the new pond - they have a habit of jumping out when moved.
In reply to Post #9
I dug the pond 18 years ago. The original stocking was 15 small carp, 15 small rudd and I later added a few perch. A few years after that I agreed to rescue the fish from a neighbours pond, 'if you don't take them they'll all die as we have to fill the pond in!' That was about 200 small carp and goldfish, which I wasn't happy about but wasn't going to kill them.
Over the years they obviously bred and grew, sadly none of the rudd or perch were there at the end.
It had developed a leak when over 1/2 full so I just let it evaporate during the last 3 months until we could get a digger in and try to sort out the leak, this is when the fish were left in a much smaller volume of water and that was my downfall.
I certainly won't overstock and will try to add a few predators if I can but perch don't seem to do well and I doubt pike would do any better. A couple of small cats would be ideal, but I think that's illegal!
Plenty of time to think about restocking, it's unlikely to be full again until the winter, assuming we get some rain at some point!
I dug the pond 18 years ago. The original stocking was 15 small carp, 15 small rudd and I later added a few perch. A few years after that I agreed to rescue the fish from a neighbours pond, 'if you don't take them they'll all die as we have to fill the pond in!' That was about 200 small carp and goldfish, which I wasn't happy about but wasn't going to kill them.
Over the years they obviously bred and grew, sadly none of the rudd or perch were there at the end.
It had developed a leak when over 1/2 full so I just let it evaporate during the last 3 months until we could get a digger in and try to sort out the leak, this is when the fish were left in a much smaller volume of water and that was my downfall.
I certainly won't overstock and will try to add a few predators if I can but perch don't seem to do well and I doubt pike would do any better. A couple of small cats would be ideal, but I think that's illegal!
Plenty of time to think about restocking, it's unlikely to be full again until the winter, assuming we get some rain at some point!
In reply to Post #11
Yup we've had that and also the heron finding them and perching on the side of the pool to help himself. I've now put netting over it to prevent both those problems.
Yup we've had that and also the heron finding them and perching on the side of the pool to help himself. I've now put netting over it to prevent both those problems.
In reply to Post #13
If youre not on a water course, and smaller than a certain size, i beelvie 1/2 acre - you would be ok with cats - However,
Only stock 1 if you dont want them to breed, or purchase ones at a size easy enough to sex.
If youre not on a water course, and smaller than a certain size, i beelvie 1/2 acre - you would be ok with cats - However,
Only stock 1 if you dont want them to breed, or purchase ones at a size easy enough to sex.
In reply to Post #14
Is it easy to sex catfish?
Is it easy to sex catfish?
In reply to Post #15
Depends where you take them on the 1st date..
Depends where you take them on the 1st date..
In reply to Post #12
You've had a proper run of bad luck Paul, as for Cats – Register the water with the EA, add Catfish along with all the “Standard” species to the list you would like to stock. If the water meets the criteria, Not In-line, not on a Flood Plain and fully secure (Thinks it means as in, nobody can just walk on and fish it /remove stock) you stand a chance.
You've had a proper run of bad luck Paul, as for Cats – Register the water with the EA, add Catfish along with all the “Standard” species to the list you would like to stock. If the water meets the criteria, Not In-line, not on a Flood Plain and fully secure (Thinks it means as in, nobody can just walk on and fish it /remove stock) you stand a chance.
In reply to Post #12
your lake will have to be classed as "Land locked" to stock cats.
personally i wouldnt stock them, just run a net through every yr to thin stock down
your lake will have to be classed as "Land locked" to stock cats.
personally i wouldnt stock them, just run a net through every yr to thin stock down
In reply to Post #18
Not In-Line - same thing as Landlocked Joss. But even most Landlocked waters always have an over-flow, in which case they will stipulate that you fit a "Bio-Filter". Basically a enclosure with a stainless Steel Mesh base built in , so no Catfish fry could ever get washed out into the main water courses.
Think I would try Pike first, before going down the Catfish route.
Not In-Line - same thing as Landlocked Joss. But even most Landlocked waters always have an over-flow, in which case they will stipulate that you fit a "Bio-Filter". Basically a enclosure with a stainless Steel Mesh base built in , so no Catfish fry could ever get washed out into the main water courses.
Think I would try Pike first, before going down the Catfish route.
In reply to Post #19
yeah mate, thought so.
I cant stand catfish in waters, dont think they have a place, but thats my opinion.
Pike, perch and a few brown trout
yeah mate, thought so.
I cant stand catfish in waters, dont think they have a place, but thats my opinion.
Pike, perch and a few brown trout
In reply to Post #20
"Brown Trout" that's an interesting one. Was always lead to believe they don't do well in Carp waters, gravel pit type venues anyway.
Fished a carp water many moons ago where they were put in, didn't do well at all.
"Brown Trout" that's an interesting one. Was always lead to believe they don't do well in Carp waters, gravel pit type venues anyway.
Fished a carp water many moons ago where they were put in, didn't do well at all.
In reply to Post #20
I do fish for cats now and then but thay breed like rabbits and can take over ,
I do fish for cats now and then but thay breed like rabbits and can take over ,
In reply to Post #21
They need a good oxygen level to thrive.
They need a good oxygen level to thrive.
In reply to Post #21
thats would of course depend on water quality mate
or put some rainbows in
thats would of course depend on water quality mate
or put some rainbows in
In reply to Post #23
like most species hey
like most species hey
In reply to Post #25
Yes;but what I was trying to say is brown trout require a much higher oxygen level to thrive than carp. Carp are amongst the hardiest of fish.
Yes;but what I was trying to say is brown trout require a much higher oxygen level to thrive than carp. Carp are amongst the hardiest of fish.
In reply to Post #24
Legally fishing for the pot whilst Carping👍
Legally fishing for the pot whilst Carping👍
In reply to Post #26
got what you meant mate.
I know a few places, tiny that have a few trout in, they've done really well.
they say gudgeon have the highest tolerance to low DO
got what you meant mate.
I know a few places, tiny that have a few trout in, they've done really well.
they say gudgeon have the highest tolerance to low DO
In reply to Post #21
Only trouble with Trout is if your water has high quality gin clear water, they become a Cormorant magnet during winter months. And you end up with a few Carp getting “Spiked” by the dammed things – not a pretty sight if the wound gets infected, as they rot from the inside out.
I do have a few Rainbows and Brownies in one lake but they are between 16-20lb in size, they have thrived alongside the Carp, Cats, Pike, Roach, Perch and Grass Carp.
Only trouble with Trout is if your water has high quality gin clear water, they become a Cormorant magnet during winter months. And you end up with a few Carp getting “Spiked” by the dammed things – not a pretty sight if the wound gets infected, as they rot from the inside out.
I do have a few Rainbows and Brownies in one lake but they are between 16-20lb in size, they have thrived alongside the Carp, Cats, Pike, Roach, Perch and Grass Carp.
In reply to Post #29
trout of that size are massively impressive fish.
Biggest ive had it 13.6oz rainbow
a 20lb Brownie must be incredible to see
trout of that size are massively impressive fish.
Biggest ive had it 13.6oz rainbow
a 20lb Brownie must be incredible to see
In reply to Post #30
Brownies do look impressive (Off memory, as they never get caught!) they looked more like Salmon with the Hooked Jaw.
You do see them thou hurtling up the lake like a torpedo.
Brownies do look impressive (Off memory, as they never get caught!) they looked more like Salmon with the Hooked Jaw.
You do see them thou hurtling up the lake like a torpedo.
In reply to Post #31
Are they ever actually fished for?
Are they ever actually fished for?
In reply to Post #32
Nope, I've often thought about having a go for them - but via Fly it's impossible with all the purposely planted bankside Trees & Bushes, wading out is out of the question with the sloping margins, On the worm - everything else would be after them too, same on a Lure/Spinner the Perch and Pike would be.
Nope, I've often thought about having a go for them - but via Fly it's impossible with all the purposely planted bankside Trees & Bushes, wading out is out of the question with the sloping margins, On the worm - everything else would be after them too, same on a Lure/Spinner the Perch and Pike would be.
In reply to Post #28
Talking of trout, many years ago we stocked with a few hundred 8-10" rainbows as a fry predator, a couple of years later I was catching 5lbers on the drop on 20mm boilies
Talking of trout, many years ago we stocked with a few hundred 8-10" rainbows as a fry predator, a couple of years later I was catching 5lbers on the drop on 20mm boilies
In reply to Post #28
I used to fish a lake that was fed by a small river that had Gudgeon in. Sadly they are long gone. Got to go to the Thames fo Gudgeon now.. Great fun but not many people bother as they are so small. I've had a few from the Thames many years ago near record size.
I used to fish a lake that was fed by a small river that had Gudgeon in. Sadly they are long gone. Got to go to the Thames fo Gudgeon now.. Great fun but not many people bother as they are so small. I've had a few from the Thames many years ago near record size.
In reply to Post #34
Had some clonkers out the stow on yellow pop ups
Had some clonkers out the stow on yellow pop ups
In reply to Post #36
Id sooner catch a 20lb + brownies than a 60+ carp any day of the week
Id sooner catch a 20lb + brownies than a 60+ carp any day of the week
In reply to Post #37
Why
Why
In reply to Post #15
Its not definitive, but yes, quite easy.
Its not definitive, but yes, quite easy.
In reply to Post #38
cause 60lb carp are everywhere and 20lb trout are rare as rocking horse
same as pike, id sooner have a 30lb pike than an 80lb carp anyday
cause 60lb carp are everywhere and 20lb trout are rare as rocking horse
same as pike, id sooner have a 30lb pike than an 80lb carp anyday
In reply to Post #40
Big pike all day long
Big pike all day long
In reply to Post #40
True.
30lb pike a phenomenal fish, from a non trout water they are very very rare.
True.
30lb pike a phenomenal fish, from a non trout water they are very very rare.
In reply to Post #24
The water quality isn't great unfortunately, it was dug about 20 years ago and is clay lined, so with carp in it it is very much a mud puddle., certainly during the warmer months.
I'm sure I put perch in before but none of them survived. In fact I put roach and rudd in and none of those survived either. We do have daily visits from at least one heron so I suspect he got quite a few of them.
I am willing to try other species especially predators, does anyone have any recommendations for suppliers of perch, pike or trout?
The water quality isn't great unfortunately, it was dug about 20 years ago and is clay lined, so with carp in it it is very much a mud puddle., certainly during the warmer months.
I'm sure I put perch in before but none of them survived. In fact I put roach and rudd in and none of those survived either. We do have daily visits from at least one heron so I suspect he got quite a few of them.
I am willing to try other species especially predators, does anyone have any recommendations for suppliers of perch, pike or trout?
In reply to Post #43
Would that be a wise decision, predators are the first to snuff it
Maybe in time if you develop fishery
Would that be a wise decision, predators are the first to snuff it
Maybe in time if you develop fishery
Very sorry to read this 
Just thinking aloud, wont help with immediate results but regards restocking would there be any merit in breeding from those that survived. It might be just luck they survived, conversely it may be a trait they have that enable them to do so, all fish are not the same as we know from selective breeding.
Just thinking aloud, wont help with immediate results but regards restocking would there be any merit in breeding from those that survived. It might be just luck they survived, conversely it may be a trait they have that enable them to do so, all fish are not the same as we know from selective breeding.
In reply to Post #43
Really sorry to hear about your problems mate.
Whereabouts are you? I'd happily give you some pike and perch and a good helping of bream if fancy some lol.
Really sorry to hear about your problems mate.
Whereabouts are you? I'd happily give you some pike and perch and a good helping of bream if fancy some lol.
In reply to Post #46
In reply to Post #45
The small fish that survived are certainly going back into the pond, my other half wouldn't have it any other way, which is a bit annoying as I wasn't a fan of putting a mixture of goldfish, ghosties and small carp from someone else's garden pond in there in the first place! I think they survived because they were much smaller rather than any inherent hardiness.
The small fish that survived are certainly going back into the pond, my other half wouldn't have it any other way, which is a bit annoying as I wasn't a fan of putting a mixture of goldfish, ghosties and small carp from someone else's garden pond in there in the first place! I think they survived because they were much smaller rather than any inherent hardiness.
In reply to Post #46
Thanks Andy, I'm in Battle, near Hastings on the south coast so quite a way from Essex, but of you're ever passing........
p.s. I may even take one or two bream, they'll never be fished for and they do get a lot of hate from us carp anglers, when I was about eight my PB was a 3lb 2oz bream, I was so chuffed with that 'biggy'!
Thanks Andy, I'm in Battle, near Hastings on the south coast so quite a way from Essex, but of you're ever passing........
p.s. I may even take one or two bream, they'll never be fished for and they do get a lot of hate from us carp anglers, when I was about eight my PB was a 3lb 2oz bream, I was so chuffed with that 'biggy'!
In reply to Post #49
Once you're ready let me know and I'll see if I can borrow a transportation box and oxygen.
I had a 4 1/4lb bream Saturday night, I'll try and bring you one like that.
Once you're ready let me know and I'll see if I can borrow a transportation box and oxygen.
I had a 4 1/4lb bream Saturday night, I'll try and bring you one like that.
In reply to Post #50
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