Goldfish vs grasscarp

[gomezladdams]

I have a pond that was dug in my yard 12 years ago never put fish in it cause it dried out a few times.It about 70' by 30' and about 15' deep.the last few years its holding water better hasnt dried up the lowest ive seen it is down to about 5'but the fall rains fill it back to about 1/2-3/4 before it freezes then snow fill it the rest of the way.

I was wondering how destructive to plants goldfish are,I want them to destroy the submerged grasses and shrubs,growing on the sides,they sell grass carp around here for that but at $25 a piece Im looking for an alternative,Plus Im thinking a few huge comet goldfish would be cool to have.

[gomezladdams]

Just realized I should have put this in the outdoor pond section if any mods see this please move it

[stingray4540]

Grass carp don't eat all kinds of plant fyi so do a little research into what they will actually eat before you spend the money on them.

[gomezladdams]

At this point Im more interested in how much munching the goldfish will do,or is there a better choice?

[rottbo]

nad grass carp get way to big for your pond i would go with goldfish they will eat damm near everything just put them ihn and dont feed them they will start with the algae and work their way to other things

[guppy]

Is that 70 feet x 30 feet x 15 feet?

[toxicfish]

Is your pond filled by a spring or creek or just rain water

[gomezladdams]

Yes those measurements are in feet,it fills mostly from snowmelt in the winter.I had it dug about 12years ago after 2 5'x4'x12' deep test holes held water for 3 years.It used to leak worse but I dumped in a few hundred pounds of sodium bentonite over the years when I read that would help plug leaks and it seemed to.The intention was to reroute a stream into it but I dont have that level of disposable income anymore so thats out.
Its been getting pretty weedy mostly grasses on the sides and I wanted to know if anyone thought goldfish would eat the plants?

[guppy]

Goldfish will not control the vegetation, very few fish will, especially in an area that gets so cold. Even with grasscarp you would be advised to emplace a couple of bubbler rings to make sure you have a couple of ice free areas during the winter. Check local laws as you might be restricted to triploid (sterile) grasscarp in your area. The only other fish that I can think of offhand that may survive your winters and does a decent job of grass and reed control is also one used in Chinese aquaculture. It is the Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) a large fish (up to 80") prized for eating. here is a picture from fish base.

[DJ BIG T]

the water lawn mower...lol :grinyes:

[gomezladdams]

Yes I am restricted to the triploid grasscarp in my area,theyre kinda expensive and with all the bear raccon wildcats feral cats eagles and whatnot I was hoping something cheaper could do the job,just in case they ended up as a snack.I have to assume the grasscarp survive the winters around here ok as they are in a lot of local ponds.I cant really run air bubblers as the pond is about 100 yards from the house.I guess Ill look into the grasscarp,as I wouldnt know where to get Megalobrama amblycephala or if they are even legal in my area.Might throw a few gf in the pond anyway just to see how they do.

[gomezladdams]

So last spring I bought 2 dozen feeder goldfish last spring,6 died on the way home.Didnt see any toward the end of last summer.Today I was walking by my pond and saw a goldfish then another,then a few dozen:headbang2 they not only survived theyre breeding:headbang2

So this summer Im adding some bluegill and/or pumpkinseed and next summer.....Largemouth bass!!

[ewurm]

Definitely make sure it doesn't freeze. Get some sort of aeration in the winter. Good luck with your pond!

[gomezladdams]

Oh the pond definitly froze Ice more than a foot thick,and the fish survived.That was the experiment with the goldies,Now I know fish can survive Im putting some natives:headbang2

[Dr Joe]

:swear: :wall:

So how's the grass problem?

[Muske]

There is a solar panel areator availible. It is something to look into. Also, what kind of weeds are growing around the pond? Since the pond is a few years old they could be native plants growing. If so why would you want to get rid of them? In my area grass carp only eat the desireable plants. If the pond stays full for a few more years, the shrubs will probally drown, and all other vegitation, if not aquatic will do the same.

[gomezladdams]

:swear: :wall:

So how's the grass problem?

Its too early in the season to tell but now that I know fish will survive the winter in my pond Im looking into getting some grasscarp if I dont see a difference.At 18-26bucks each for the triploid grasscarp I needed some cheap test subjects first

[gomezladdams]

The grass problem is much better,the goldies are making enough of a difference that Im skipping the grasscarp.

[Dr Joe]

Alright :headbang2.

Thanks for the update.

Hey, they've just come out with new invention...IT'S CALLED A CAMERA :D how about some pix? Please Please Please!

Dr Joe

.

[gomezladdams]

Lol Ill see if I can get my wife to get some pics for the update.Not really vs anymore but I figured I would continue to update the thread.Thought I lost all the fish in the drought last summer,there was hardly any water in the pond by the time it froze.But it thawed this week and today counted at least 40-50 goldfish some in the 6-7" range.So I thought I was restocking but they are still going strong!

[Adam-011]

lol Kool Go but like 10doz Gold fish if not more for a pond that size lol but were i used to live they sold natives buy the hundreds lol. The goldfish will be a snack for the LMB. Make a Pay lake lol

[Danyal]

dude, put a couple pike into that pond, or musky.

[Aircut64]

Yes it will work well if you combine goldfishes with grasscarps ;) I have my Grasscarps together with a Giant Snakehead and with a Koi ^^

Cheers

[gomezladdams]

Heres a pic of the pond.I had my son stand at the other end for scale
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l189/gomezladdams/family/April2008011.jpg

And from a little up the hill on the other side.A winter storm blew my boat into the pond,Didnt even notice till the ice was mostly melted.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l189/gomezladdams/family/April2008057.jpg

And a few fish.These photos were taken less than an hour after the last of the ice melted.It left an odd bubbly film that cleared in a few days
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l189/gomezladdams/family/April2008027.jpg

[snakeheader]

haha the actually did survive,is it like out in the woods?i see a fence?

[hbluehunter]

WOW, those are some monster goldfish... Nice pond too..

[gomezladdams]

No fence,thats what my front yard looks like.My nearest neighbors are 1/4 mile away

[ewurm]

Very cool pond! We should all be so lucky!