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**jk710** · #1 March 15th 06, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Hill

deburs wrote:
We moved into a house over 8 months ago and we knew there was a pond in
the garden. They said there was nothing in there but the odd frog which
visited.

However, much to my surprise I glimpsed two very quick and very timid
black fish in there.

Heaven knows how long they have been in there. The pond is only about a
foot deep and a metre wide each way. They seem quite happy indeed - very
fast and they dart around like mad.

However, three things have been intriguing me:

1. How come they have managed to live this long with no supplementary
food? The pond has lots of plantlife in and around the pond and insect
life around it - have they been eating insects falling in?

2. Why are they black? I've tried to look at species and they look like
goldfish but are almost 100% black (which doesn't exist in goldfish
species.) They are not Black Moors. They are more slender than those.

3. There is no filtation or air machine in the pond.I have no way of
doing this easily (no electricity) but they seem ok like this. Someone
in the aquarium shop said as there are only two fish, there's no need.

To be honest the pond isnt that great and I never expected to be
looking after two fish - but I will if I can get the proper advice.

I bought some fish flakes so am giving them a few. They didn't come
over straight away. Not surprised! Imagine having had no food for years
then being offered food! They are eating a bit now.

How large are they? Goldfish start out black. They usually take a year or so
to develop their color. They're also mostly vegetarian, and are perfectly
happy with the veggies normally growing in an outdoor pond (along with the
occasional 'skeeter larva).

If you have a relatively nearby body of water, they may be natives that came in
as eggs stuck to an aquatic bird. Some varieties of minnows are pretty dark.

Depending on where you are in the US, feeding them may not be a good idea -- in
the cold climes, this is normally the time of year to start slacking off on the
feedings as their metabolisms start to wind down due to the cold water. Too
much food - polluted water - dead fish.

I'd have to say young goldfish also. I have a 3500 gallon, actually 2 ponds and every spring I have to thin out from around 100 or so down to around 50, Usually are quite a few black ones that were not there the previous spring. Don't feed until water is consistently above 60
John