It seems as if I just put the fish outside and the pond season is over. . .at least in my neck of the woods. With the overnight temperature tonight predicted to be 4C (~40F)) and about the same for the rest of this week, I decided to shut down the ponds. If I were keeping goldfish, koi, natives or some Uruguayan cichlids out there this time, I would be waiting about another six weeks But other than 12 Spotted Sunfish (Lepomis punctatus), a large pair of Central Longears (Lepomis megalotis megalotis) and a bunch of Fundulus chrysotus killies that can withstand a degree of cold, the rest are Central and South American cichlids. The water temperature today was about 18C (64F) in my 1200G pond, and about 14C (57F) in my Little Giant 100G pond. It never ceases to amaze me how beautifully colored and conditioned the fish are at the end of the pond season, not to mention the substantial growth they put on. I lost one fish this go-round ... a large male Green Terror. He had been ill indoors for some time prior to me putting him out in the pond, and despite being treated inside and seeming fine, he didn't make it through the season. Here are several pictures I took of some of the fish as I was netting them out. It's a little tricky holding the fish in one hand while taking a picture with the other. At least the camera didn't fall into the pond, although it and I did end up splattered with fish slime and pond water. Now to find tanks to put those fish in. :?
