Small pond predator

[RobE]

I have a small backyard pond 4x6 that has two koi , one shubunkin and some guppys and convicts in it. I put the guppys and convicts in there to combat the mosquito problem I had and they were very effective. The problem I have now is that they do what guppys and cons do and are breeding like crazy. I was wondering if there was any small predator that I could put in there that would help control the guppy and con population without messing with the koi. It would also have to survive central florida winters. Would appreciate any input, thanks.

 

[GeneralBrackish]

Honestly Im surpised the Convicts havent gone after your guppys.

I have a small backyard pond 4x6 that has two koi , one shubunkin and some guppys and convicts in it. I put the guppys and convicts in there to combat the mosquito problem I had and they were very effective. The problem I have now is that they do what guppys and cons do and are breeding like crazy. I was wondering if there was any small predator that I could put in there that would help control the guppy and con population without messing with the koi. It would also have to survive central florida winters. Would appreciate any input, thanks.

 

[omojena]

peacock bass

 

[ryeguy28]

i say a cichlid maybe a flowerhorn ? i think as long as the koi are big enogh everything should be ok

but a pbass might work to

 

[RobE]

Although I agree that a pbass would be horribly efficient at decimating large quantities of small fish there are a few problems. First they don't stay small and second they would never survive the cold months in my pond. I don't want to have to bring the fish in over the winter, my pond got down to 45deg last year. I appreciate the ideas anyone have any others?

 

[aquaculture]

I would get a bulhead or channel catfish.

 

[Toxic Fish 9999]

try turtle it might work

 

[JakeH]

Maybe some kind of central FL native bass, catfish or crayfish? Beyond that, I say net out the babies & use/sell them as feeders.

 

[trojan09]

try turtle it might work

agreed.

 

[RobE]

Thanks for the input guys. I really like the turtle and crayfish ideas in going to look into that.