bought house with koi (1) pond..long, sorry

[k conover]

Hi, I recently bought a 1923 bungalow in Atlanta, and I inherited a small
pond (about 4 feet across, maybe 2-3 feet deep) with one fish. To me he
appears to be a large goldfish, not a koi--is there any easy way to
differentiate? He's all orange. The owner that sold me the house said
that he was here 4 years ago when HE bought the house. The pond is chock
full of plants, and lots of green slimy stuff and some small lily pads. It
does have some sort of filter. I realize that I should probably clean it
out a bit, and I'm going to remove floating debris to start, but I'm kind of
thinking, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." He's been here for years,
doing well (the former owner rarely fed him--I'm sure he's been chewing on
the plants and bugs) so I don't want to go in and clean out the pond and
shock his system. I would like to introduce a buddy for him though.
My problem is that I feel that I must give this little guy a good
environment, but at the same time I am overwhelmed with all the things that
need to be done to my "fixer-upper" so I don't have tons of time to devote
to this project. Like I said, he's been doing fine so far, but I would
like to make his life a little better. Advice?
Thanks in advance.
Kirsten

[k conover]

I should add that I'm not financially able to sink (no pun intended) a lot
of money into the pond for filters, etc., because of all the work needed on
the house. Would it be better to give the guy away?
Kirsten
"k conover" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, I recently bought a 1923 bungalow in Atlanta, and I inherited a small
> pond (about 4 feet across, maybe 2-3 feet deep) with one fish. To me he
> appears to be a large goldfish, not a koi--is there any easy way to
> differentiate? He's all orange. The owner that sold me the house said
> that he was here 4 years ago when HE bought the house. The pond is chock
> full of plants, and lots of green slimy stuff and some small lily pads.
It
> does have some sort of filter. I realize that I should probably clean it
> out a bit, and I'm going to remove floating debris to start, but I'm kind
of
> thinking, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." He's been here for years,
> doing well (the former owner rarely fed him--I'm sure he's been chewing on
> the plants and bugs) so I don't want to go in and clean out the pond and
> shock his system. I would like to introduce a buddy for him though.
> My problem is that I feel that I must give this little guy a good
> environment, but at the same time I am overwhelmed with all the things
that
> need to be done to my "fixer-upper" so I don't have tons of time to devote
> to this project. Like I said, he's been doing fine so far, but I would
> like to make his life a little better. Advice?
> Thanks in advance.
> Kirsten
>
>
>

[K30a]

Hi Kristen,

A koi will have two little whiskers on either side of his mouth. His head will
be more square-ish than rounded.

A single fish with that much stuff in the pond doesn't need feeding, though it
is fun to do once they learn about chow time. Feed very, very sparingly.

Since he has done so well for four years I'd leave the pond alone for now.
You can net out leaves in the fall so as not to add to the load the pond is
carrying. If time is a problem you can suspend a net over the pond when the
leaves fall, nice and tight as you don't want the leaves dipping into the pond
like a tea bag.

The pond and the filter are probably taking care of the fish waste.

I agree a friend might be nice. Find a really good store that sells fish, not
for fancy fish, but for healthy fish. And buy one. Ask them how to introduce
the fish into the pond. The thing to watch is not a too big a jump in
temperture and the involves floating the fish bag for 20 minutes in a shadded
area.

If Atlanta has a severe winter and the pond freezes over for any length of time
you will want to keep a hole open in the ice. I use an air pump and air stone.
You can use the same plug in that the filter works off of now.

You'll probably want to clean the pond next spring.
Hang around until then and you'll probably learn a lot. Then when cleaning time
comes around we'll help you out. Hopefully you'll have more time then and your
new house will be fixed up.

That's all I can think of for now. Others will chime in :-)


k30a
and the watergardening labradors
http://www.geocities.com/watergardeninglabradors/home.html

[Bern Muller]

"k conover" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, I recently bought a 1923 bungalow in Atlanta, and I inherited a small
> pond (about 4 feet across, maybe 2-3 feet deep) with one fish.

Congratulations! You will find ponding to be very rewarding, and can be done
with as little or as much time investment as you want.

I would like to know about how big your fish is, in inches long. If you get
another one, and I suggest waiting until you figure out how you will be
managing the pond, it should be roughly matched in size to the original.

[[email protected]]

she needs to quarantine the new fish. at least a month. Ingrid

(K30a) wrote:

>Hi Kristen,
>
>A koi will have two little whiskers on either side of his mouth. His head will
>be more square-ish than rounded.
>
>A single fish with that much stuff in the pond doesn't need feeding, though it
>is fun to do once they learn about chow time. Feed very, very sparingly.
>
>Since he has done so well for four years I'd leave the pond alone for now.
>You can net out leaves in the fall so as not to add to the load the pond is
>carrying. If time is a problem you can suspend a net over the pond when the
>leaves fall, nice and tight as you don't want the leaves dipping into the pond
>like a tea bag.
>
>The pond and the filter are probably taking care of the fish waste.
>
>I agree a friend might be nice. Find a really good store that sells fish, not
>for fancy fish, but for healthy fish. And buy one. Ask them how to introduce
>the fish into the pond. The thing to watch is not a too big a jump in
>temperture and the involves floating the fish bag for 20 minutes in a shadded
>area.
>
>If Atlanta has a severe winter and the pond freezes over for any length of time
>you will want to keep a hole open in the ice. I use an air pump and air stone.
>You can use the same plug in that the filter works off of now.
>
>You'll probably want to clean the pond next spring.
>Hang around until then and you'll probably learn a lot. Then when cleaning time
>comes around we'll help you out. Hopefully you'll have more time then and your
>new house will be fixed up.
>
>That's all I can think of for now. Others will chime in :-)
>
>
>k30a
>and the watergardening labradors
>http://www.geocities.com/watergardeninglabradors/home.html



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[K30a]

Ingrid wrote >>she needs to quarantine the new fish. at least a month.<<

I know that is optimum but this is a gal with a fixer up house and lots of work
to do. She knows hardly anything about her pond and has a lot to learn. I doubt
she can spend the time and money to set up a quarantine tank.To me quarantining
a new fish is Ponder 202
and this is basic ponding we're after.
I bet most of us have never quarantined a new fish and never lost a fish
(raising hand).
That is why I stressed a good pet store, not a feeder fish from PetsMart.

Anyway Kristen, if it would break your heart to lose the existing fish, don't
add another, even though I'm betting it would be just fine. There is water
gardening and then there is fish keeping, which don't always get along ;-)



k30a
and the watergardening labradors
http://www.geocities.com/watergardeninglabradors/home.html

[Nedra]

Yet another voice, Kirsten! Don't add another fish
until you figure out what you want to do with the zillion
babies that will show up! I would definitely leave well
enough alone. Just enjoy the pond for now...

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"jammer" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 11:28:07 -0400, "k conover"
> > wrote:
>
> >Hi, I recently bought a 1923 bungalow in Atlanta, and I inherited a small
> >pond (about 4 feet across, maybe 2-3 feet deep) with one fish. To me he
> >appears to be a large goldfish, not a koi--is there any easy way to
> >differentiate? He's all orange. The owner that sold me the house said
> >that he was here 4 years ago when HE bought the house. The pond is
chock
> >full of plants, and lots of green slimy stuff and some small lily pads.
It
> >does have some sort of filter. I realize that I should probably clean it
> >out a bit, and I'm going to remove floating debris to start, but I'm kind
of
> >thinking, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." He's been here for years,
> >doing well (the former owner rarely fed him--I'm sure he's been chewing
on
> >the plants and bugs) so I don't want to go in and clean out the pond and
> >shock his system. I would like to introduce a buddy for him though.
> > My problem is that I feel that I must give this little guy a good
> >environment, but at the same time I am overwhelmed with all the things
that
> >need to be done to my "fixer-upper" so I don't have tons of time to
devote
> >to this project. Like I said, he's been doing fine so far, but I would
> >like to make his life a little better. Advice?
> >Thanks in advance.
> >Kirsten
>
> Clean the filter, do a partial water change and let it be, then! if
> you have a shop vac, maybe clean some of the much out of the bottom.

[K30a]

Yes, Nedra is right on that account. If your fish is female and you buy another
female fish, someone is going to change sex and they will breed and attempt to
take over the world ;-)
(So far the scientific community hasn't figured this out, but we ponders KNOW
this happens!)

k30a
and the watergardening labradors
http://www.geocities.com/watergardeninglabradors/home.html

[Anne Lurie]

Kirsten,

The way I see it, you'll have plenty to keep you occupied with the house you
bought without having to worry about the fish and pond at the same time!

Here's my suggestion: Until next spring, don't worry about doing much to
the pond except for removing the floating debris and cleaning the filter.
From the sound of it, the fish (whatever it is) is a pretty tough cookie!

As for a buddy for your fish, you can be the best buddy it ever had! At
least for the time being. Adding more fish is likely to add more
complication to your life, and I'm guessing you don't really need that right
now.

Anne Lurie
Raleigh, NC

"k conover" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, I recently bought a 1923 bungalow in Atlanta, and I inherited a small
> pond (about 4 feet across, maybe 2-3 feet deep) with one fish. To me he
> appears to be a large goldfish, not a koi--is there any easy way to
> differentiate? He's all orange. The owner that sold me the house said
> that he was here 4 years ago when HE bought the house. The pond is chock
> full of plants, and lots of green slimy stuff and some small lily pads.
It
> does have some sort of filter. I realize that I should probably clean it
> out a bit, and I'm going to remove floating debris to start, but I'm kind
of
> thinking, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." He's been here for years,
> doing well (the former owner rarely fed him--I'm sure he's been chewing on
> the plants and bugs) so I don't want to go in and clean out the pond and
> shock his system. I would like to introduce a buddy for him though.
> My problem is that I feel that I must give this little guy a good
> environment, but at the same time I am overwhelmed with all the things
that
> need to be done to my "fixer-upper" so I don't have tons of time to devote
> to this project. Like I said, he's been doing fine so far, but I would
> like to make his life a little better. Advice?
> Thanks in advance.
> Kirsten
>
>
>

[k conover]

Bern, he looks to be no more than 4" across--I don't see any whiskers, but I
may net him for a second to get a better look at him...could a goldfish have
lived in this pond for 4 years plus?
Kirsten
"Bern Muller" > wrote in message
...
>
> "k conover" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi, I recently bought a 1923 bungalow in Atlanta, and I inherited a
small
> > pond (about 4 feet across, maybe 2-3 feet deep) with one fish.
>
> Congratulations! You will find ponding to be very rewarding, and can be
done
> with as little or as much time investment as you want.
>
> I would like to know about how big your fish is, in inches long. If you
get
> another one, and I suggest waiting until you figure out how you will be
> managing the pond, it should be roughly matched in size to the original.
>
>

[k conover]

I think the quarantining (whatever that is, and I'm sure I'll learn about
it) would be pretty difficult for me right now...
Kirsten
"K30a" > wrote in message
...
> Ingrid wrote >>she needs to quarantine the new fish. at least a month.<<
>
> I know that is optimum but this is a gal with a fixer up house and lots of
work
> to do. She knows hardly anything about her pond and has a lot to learn. I
doubt
> she can spend the time and money to set up a quarantine tank.To me
quarantining
> a new fish is Ponder 202
> and this is basic ponding we're after.
> I bet most of us have never quarantined a new fish and never lost a fish
> (raising hand).
> That is why I stressed a good pet store, not a feeder fish from PetsMart.
>
> Anyway Kristen, if it would break your heart to lose the existing fish,
don't
> add another, even though I'm betting it would be just fine. There is water
> gardening and then there is fish keeping, which don't always get along ;-)
>
>
>
> k30a
> and the watergardening labradors
> http://www.geocities.com/watergardeninglabradors/home.html

[k conover]

Omigosh, I had no idea! And I was joking with my brother about how I would
get the fish "sexed" so I could figure out if I needed to get a boy or girl
companion...
Kirsten
(I think I'll follow your suggestions and keep him alone for awhile and try
to get him used to me--don't think the last owner ever paid attention to him
at all...)
Kirsten
(I have fish food that looks like little "Grape Nuts" cereal--how often and
how much should I feed him; if at all, since he's been getting no food from
the previous owner)
"Nedra" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> Yet another voice, Kirsten! Don't add another fish
> until you figure out what you want to do with the zillion
> babies that will show up! I would definitely leave well
> enough alone. Just enjoy the pond for now...
>
> Nedra
> http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
> http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118
>
> "jammer" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 11:28:07 -0400, "k conover"
> > > wrote:
> >
> > >Hi, I recently bought a 1923 bungalow in Atlanta, and I inherited a
small
> > >pond (about 4 feet across, maybe 2-3 feet deep) with one fish. To me
he
> > >appears to be a large goldfish, not a koi--is there any easy way to
> > >differentiate? He's all orange. The owner that sold me the house
said
> > >that he was here 4 years ago when HE bought the house. The pond is
> chock
> > >full of plants, and lots of green slimy stuff and some small lily pads.
> It
> > >does have some sort of filter. I realize that I should probably clean
it
> > >out a bit, and I'm going to remove floating debris to start, but I'm
kind
> of
> > >thinking, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." He's been here for
years,
> > >doing well (the former owner rarely fed him--I'm sure he's been chewing
> on
> > >the plants and bugs) so I don't want to go in and clean out the pond
and
> > >shock his system. I would like to introduce a buddy for him though.
> > > My problem is that I feel that I must give this little guy a good
> > >environment, but at the same time I am overwhelmed with all the things
> that
> > >need to be done to my "fixer-upper" so I don't have tons of time to
> devote
> > >to this project. Like I said, he's been doing fine so far, but I
would
> > >like to make his life a little better. Advice?
> > >Thanks in advance.
> > >Kirsten
> >
> > Clean the filter, do a partial water change and let it be, then! if
> > you have a shop vac, maybe clean some of the much out of the bottom.
>
>

[Matt Helliwell]

When the time comes, you could always get a fish that won't cross breed
with the GF. I've got some golden tench in my pond that come to the
surface to eat with the other fish.

As for food: not a lot, it'll just clog up you filter. You can use it to
train your fishy to come to the surface though when you're around though.

k conover wrote:
> Omigosh, I had no idea! And I was joking with my brother about how I would
> get the fish "sexed" so I could figure out if I needed to get a boy or girl
> companion...
> Kirsten
> (I think I'll follow your suggestions and keep him alone for awhile and try
> to get him used to me--don't think the last owner ever paid attention to him
> at all...)
> Kirsten
> (I have fish food that looks like little "Grape Nuts" cereal--how often and
> how much should I feed him; if at all, since he's been getting no food from
> the previous owner)
> "Nedra" > wrote in message
> nk.net...
>
>>Yet another voice, Kirsten! Don't add another fish
>>until you figure out what you want to do with the zillion
>>babies that will show up! I would definitely leave well
>>enough alone. Just enjoy the pond for now...
>>
>>Nedra
>>http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
>>http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118
>>
>>"jammer" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 11:28:07 -0400, "k conover"
> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi, I recently bought a 1923 bungalow in Atlanta, and I inherited a
>
> small
>
>>>>pond (about 4 feet across, maybe 2-3 feet deep) with one fish. To me
>
> he
>
>>>>appears to be a large goldfish, not a koi--is there any easy way to
>>>>differentiate? He's all orange. The owner that sold me the house
>
> said
>
>>>>that he was here 4 years ago when HE bought the house. The pond is
>>
>>chock
>>
>>>>full of plants, and lots of green slimy stuff and some small lily pads.
>>
>>It
>>
>>>>does have some sort of filter. I realize that I should probably clean
>
> it
>
>>>>out a bit, and I'm going to remove floating debris to start, but I'm
>
> kind
>
>>of
>>
>>>>thinking, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." He's been here for
>
> years,
>
>>>>doing well (the former owner rarely fed him--I'm sure he's been chewing
>>
>>on
>>
>>>>the plants and bugs) so I don't want to go in and clean out the pond
>
> and
>
>>>>shock his system. I would like to introduce a buddy for him though.
>>>> My problem is that I feel that I must give this little guy a good
>>>>environment, but at the same time I am overwhelmed with all the things
>>
>>that
>>
>>>>need to be done to my "fixer-upper" so I don't have tons of time to
>>
>>devote
>>
>>>>to this project. Like I said, he's been doing fine so far, but I
>
> would
>
>>>>like to make his life a little better. Advice?
>>>>Thanks in advance.
>>>>Kirsten
>>>
>>>Clean the filter, do a partial water change and let it be, then! if
>>>you have a shop vac, maybe clean some of the much out of the bottom.
>>
>>
>
>


--
Matt Helliwell
www.helliwell.me.uk
matt at helliwell dot me dot uk

[k conover]

So, can someone explain the quarantine? Is the idea to put the new fish in
a mixture of the existing pond water to acclimate him to it gradually or...?
Kirsten
> wrote in message
...
> I think most have not quarantined. And a hell of a lot have lost all
their fish. In
> fact, some people may have left the group after losing em all to the new
"apparently
> healthy" fish that was just dumped in.
> Very bad results from not quarantining is proportional to how often this
is done and
> total size of the pond. The more often fish are dumped in, the smaller
the pond, the
> more likely there is going to be a bad outcome. People with fish tanks
that cant
> control themselves in pet stores see this disaster a lot faster than
ponders.
> Ingrid
>
> (K30a) wrote:
> >I bet most of us have never quarantined a new fish and never lost a fish
> >(raising hand).
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
> http://puregold.aquaria.net/
> www.drsolo.com
> Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
> compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
> endorsements or recommendations I make.

[K30a]

I know, leaving the lone fish alone until the new ponder has the time and
energy to tackle the pond is the best idea........ but fishy needs a friend!
I have two bettas in seperate tanks (newbies - because they will fight) but the
tanks are next to each other to give drama and interest to their lives. They
certainly aren't friends but they aren't bored!

Don't mind me, the kids are back at school....














































k30a
and the watergardening labradors
http://www.geocities.com/watergardeninglabradors/home.html

[[email protected]]

http://users.megapathdsl.net/~solo/puregold/care/care2.htm#quarantine new fish



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[k conover]

I'm sorry, I meant he (or she) is 4" long!
I'm more worried about bringing a second fish in and killing him with
the brackish pond water...though I was left a PH kit by the former owner and
it looks like it's pretty close to 7, which they said was good; but I'm sure
that's just the tip of the iceberg :-)
I've tried feeding the fish just a few pieces (they're very small) but
having never been fed, (even though I try to let him know I'm there by
moving some plant leaves around in the water,) the food just floats on the
water and he doesn't appear to see them.
Kirsten
"Anne Lurie" > wrote in message
. com...
> Kirsten,
>
> You described your fish [whatever it is] as "4" across" -- did you mean
> it's 4" long, or is it really 4" wide?
>
> Frankly, IMHO, if it's 4" wide, it can survive a while on whatever it's
been
> eating in the past!
>
> I'd advise two things:
>
> 1. Go easy on the fish food
> 2. Don't net the fish if all you want to do is measure it -- both of
> you will probably be better off without that particular stress!
>
> BTW, "quarantine" is pretty much the same thing, no matter what species
> you're discussing (humans, dogs, cats, fish, computer viruses) -- the
idea
> is to protect the greater community/entity from the disease that some
> individuals may have.
>
> Anne Lurie
> Raleigh, NC
>
> "k conover" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Bern, he looks to be no more than 4" across--I don't see any whiskers,
but
> I
> > may net him for a second to get a better look at him...could a goldfish
> have
> > lived in this pond for 4 years plus?
> > Kirsten
> > "Bern Muller" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
> > > "k conover" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > Hi, I recently bought a 1923 bungalow in Atlanta, and I inherited a
> > small
> > > > pond (about 4 feet across, maybe 2-3 feet deep) with one fish.
> > >
> > > Congratulations! You will find ponding to be very rewarding, and can
be
> > done
> > > with as little or as much time investment as you want.
> > >
> > > I would like to know about how big your fish is, in inches long. If
you
> > get
> > > another one, and I suggest waiting until you figure out how you will
be
> > > managing the pond, it should be roughly matched in size to the
original.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Karen Mullen]

In article >, "k conover"
> writes:

>I've tried feeding the fish just a few pieces (they're very small) but
>having never been fed, (even though I try to let him know I'm there by
>moving some plant leaves around in the water,) the food just floats on the
>water and he doesn't appear to see them.

Fish are not accustomed to eating by hand and it takes them awhile to get used
to you coming around and then there's food. If you feed them regularly - same
time every day - they become acclimated to your presence and will come right up
to you, but it takes time so just put in a few pellets until you know he's
eating it.

Karen
Zone 5
Ashland, OH
http://hometown.aol.com/kmam1/MyPond/MyPond.html
My Art Studio at
http://members.aol.com/kmmstudios/K.M.Studios/K.M.Studios.html
for email remove the extra extention

[Karen Mullen]

In article >, "k conover"
> writes:

>I've tried feeding the fish just a few pieces (they're very small) but
>having never been fed, (even though I try to let him know I'm there by
>moving some plant leaves around in the water,) the food just floats on the
>water and he doesn't appear to see them.

Fish are not accustomed to eating by hand and it takes them awhile to get used
to you coming around and then there's food. If you feed them regularly - same
time every day - they become acclimated to your presence and will come right up
to you, but it takes time so just put in a few pellets until you know he's
eating it.

Karen
Zone 5
Ashland, OH
http://hometown.aol.com/kmam1/MyPond/MyPond.html
My Art Studio at
http://members.aol.com/kmmstudios/K.M.Studios/K.M.Studios.html
for email remove the extra extention