Do not feed goldfish because it turns the pond into an outdoor aquarium, but here's yet another reason not to feed them.
Fish soon realize that when a shape appears at the edge of the pond, food appears. They like that and soon they are trained to eat out of your hand. At least that is what you think.
Fish are not the brightest of critters, so when ANY shape appears at the edge of your pond, like a heron, an egret, a crane or a raccoon, they come up to greet the intruder and oops, they become a fresh sushi dinner for a hungry intruder.
For more pond information, have a look at Backyard ponds with the pondlady
2 comments:
IMO, not feeding fish is just plain cruel. There are many ways of getting around them associating shapes with food. A man-made pond is not a natural setting for the fish people dump into them without being educated, and scrounging for the few insects and plant parts they can forage from a 'container' does not supply them with a well-rounded diet. They also lump koi in the category of goldfish - not good. Nishikigoi must be fed a well balanced diet. Period.
Fish, regardless of the species, should be treated with the same respect as any other pet you would own.
For some delightfully informed reading: Koi and Goldfish care and health (Koiphen)
Koi and goldfish are different. You must feed koi. Do not feed goldfish for all the reasons I state and more. If you have koi, you have an outdoor aquarium and must treat it accordingly.
Post a Comment