"Gail Futoran" wrote in message
...
"Zëbulon" wrote in message
...
[big snip]
I've learned a lot on this NG over the years. You can always try a few
inexpensive fancy GF and see how they do in your own area, under your
conditions. Although my comets and Shubunkins always made it through
the winter here in the ponds, they didn't always survive in the barrels.

The problem I have is my goldfish tend to breed, then
what do I do? My tropical fish (indoors, in aquariums)
are the species that are difficult to breed, so I don't have
to worry about overpopulation.

There's only one way I know to keep that from happening and that's to sex
them before you turn them lose in your pond or whatever. Select all males!
They get those white bumps or stars in their gill covers. A dead giveaway.
:-) My indoor Orandas are already showing these stars so they're easy to
sex now.

The first goldfish in my inground pond was "accidental".
I had moved some minnows over from another pond
and didn't realize I was also moving a baby goldfish.
I've since added a few more goldfish, which of course
will compound my population problem...

That's for sure. They're extremely prolific and can quickly overpopulate a
pond.

I think the wildlife keeps the minnow population in
check; at least, I don't seem to have an
overabundance of minnows, and they do breed
like rabbits.

I assume you mean rosy-red minnows? Their numbers are slowly dwindling here
for some reason. I have a few dark ones left but all the gold ones are
gone. I've not found any dead ones so think some predator is picking them
off.
--
ZB....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
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