There's a frog in my bog!! (load warning)

[Conner]

Added another koi today! Its a ~5.5" platinum koi... He's bigger than the 2 smaller (black and gold) koi, but about a half inch smaller than the largest one.

Also some more pics of the pond. Just to show how clear its getting, and just how many feeders I have in it. What these pics don't show is the crayfish I can see on the bottom (saw 2 today, even fed them earthworms), and the HUNDREDS of minnows (probably fatheads) that have appeared. They've obviously already started breeding, as I can see 3 distinct generations. Some are 1.5"+, some are about 1", and some are about 0.5".

Pics!

 

[gar man]

If I could make a suggestion on stocking the pond I think a albino channel catfish would look excellent in there, I know I would so I can train it to handfeed

 

[Conner]

If I could make a suggestion on stocking the pond I think a albino channel catfish would look excellent in there, I know I would so I can train it to handfeed

I had a 14"er that was going to go out there, but he freaked out during a water change and banged himself up so bad he couldn't recover .

I have bought another one, at about 5" right now. I'm fattening him up inside in a 90g before tossing him out there.

I am also considering putting 1 or more of my gar out in the pond for a couple months. This would be a solution to several problems:

1. Reduce the number of comet feeders in the pond (still way too many).
2. Give the gars room to grow while I get their new 220g set up and running (they're currently in a 125g tank).
3. Open up space in the 125g tank to shuffle some other fish around other tanks as well.

I've been discussing it with the guys over in the gar forum, but haven't said anything in here until now. I know that most of the feeder comets will become just that, which doesn't bother me. But I am afraid the gars may attack and even kill my 4 koi that I've added. I think they're too big to be eaten, but that may not stop the gar from trying. Considering the koi are the fastest and largest fish in the pond, I think chances are good they'll be ok if I add the gar, but if I do add them, I will be sure to keep a very close eye on them to make sure no koi get injured or killed. If any do, the gar will come back in the house.

If I decide to add any gar to the pond, i will most likely do it tomorrow night or Saturday morning.

 

[Muske]

How big are the Gar? Don't they tend to stay in the upper water levels?

I would think by adding a few temp. caves and structures for the Koi to hide at the bottom, the Gar will feast above for a few weeks.

 

[Conner]

How big are the Gar? Don't they tend to stay in the upper water levels?

I would think by adding a few temp. caves and structures for the Koi to hide at the bottom, the Gar will feast above for a few weeks.

The gar range from about 11" in length to 18" in length. I'm thinking about adding the smaller gars first. They tend to spend time in all water levels in my aquarium, including resting on the bottom, but they may stay closer to the surface in a deeper pond, since they are air breathers.

There is a submerged log about 12 feet long and 6 inches thick laying at an angle across the bottom of the pond. This log is only resting on the bottom at either end, and the entire length is about 4-8 inches off the bottom. There are also plenty of floating hyacinth plants and roots to hide in.

I could probably add a couple piles of large rocks, or maybe some clay pots, to the bottom to create some more hiding places, but I'd like to keep it looking as natural as possible.

 

[Conner]

I'm also hoping that if I continue to feed large pellets and freeze dried krill, that the gar will be less likely to just go on a killing rampage and attack anything that moves. But that could be a false hope...

 

[gar man]

The larger gar will most likely eat the koi if they come within stricking range. I had a gar 15" in with a goldfih that was 5" and he managed to get the whole goldfish down no problem, I wouldnt want to cahnce it with those beautiful Koi of yours. Best jsut to scoop out a few of the goldfish and put them in with the gar. Mabye try to get a few that are about the size of the koi and test if they could be eaten.

 

[Conner]

The larger gar will most likely eat the koi if they come within stricking range. I had a gar 15" in with a goldfih that was 5" and he managed to get the whole goldfish down no problem, I wouldnt want to cahnce it with those beautiful Koi of yours. Best jsut to scoop out a few of the goldfish and put them in with the gar. Mabye try to get a few that are about the size of the koi and test if they could be eaten.

I may try that out tonight, see if the gar can/will attempt to eat a large, 4-5" feeder.

The main reason I want to put a gar(s) out in the pond is because they need the space, and I don't have the 220g set up yet. They might last in the 125g long enough, but it would be much better for them health wise if I could put them in the pond...

 

[hotsauce]

good luck! im looking to put my paroon, tsn x rtc, aro in the pond for the summer

 

[yogurt_21]

I may try that out tonight, see if the gar can/will attempt to eat a large, 4-5" feeder.

The main reason I want to put a gar(s) out in the pond is because they need the space, and I don't have the 220g set up yet. They might last in the 125g long enough, but it would be much better for them health wise if I could put them in the pond...

ah such is the problem as it woud be better health wise for the koi if they didn't get eaten lol.

if it were really a concern you could always get a fishing net and divide the pond in half.

personally I would speed up the 220g project.