Goldfish Hiding

by Mike
(Long Island, NY)

Hi I have an outdoor fish pond for about 25 years. The pond is 3,000 gallons. I have about 50 gold fish. The max depth of the pond is 3 feet.

My fish were spawning last week like they do every year chasing each other for about a week. Now I noticed this week they are hiding and not swimming at all. This has been going on for about 6 days now. Are they resting?

I tested my water which is good. I even had it tested a second time at a pond shop and tested excellent. Why are they hiding. I know a few weeks ago a Blue Heron was around and got 2 of my fish but the fish hid after that for about 4 days then started to spawn now they are hiding again. I have not seen the Heron return either.

Does anyone know what is happening. Are they resting after Spawning for a week? Thanks

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Grant's Reply


Hi Mike

Your fish aren't resting after spawning. Maybe for a day, but not a week.

There are two possibilities, something is spooking you fish, or, the heron has cleaned them out.

I have found herons to be extremely adept at cleaning out ponds.

I suspect the heron has made a few other visits and taken a few more. These repeat visits would change the behavior of the fish making them more reclusive.

Now a heron has found an easy meal source, you may have to bite the bullet and put a cover over the pond.