We keep a few of the farm's 100 or so feral goldfish inside the house each year for fun after we clean the ornamental pond in the fall as they adapt quite nicely.
Each morning they track our comings and goings past them to the kitchen and congregate at the side of the huge tank and watch us make the coffee ....they know yummy goldfish treats follow the coffee making ritual.
You can't tell from the photo these guys are BIG about 4-5 inches in length and quite robust...
....a nice way to say FAT.
Goldfish are big eaters and big poopers. They make messy tanks but are worth it in they are about the smartest fish you can get (which is not saying much), disease resistant, live very long lives, and need no heaters.
If you would like to raise them get a few and throw them in a big ornamental very contained pond or tub in summer and watch out...they like to make tons of little fish. Too many little fish. This is where cannibalism, frogs, pond bugs, dragonfly nymphs and great blue herons take their toll and you are relieved that you do not have to find 300 new homes for all of them.
Goldfish will mate and make weird variations of the original parents so start with a few mottled or differing types to see what you get after a few generations. And yes, some will be throwbacks and stay brownish green and boring.
* One note it is against the law to let these critters roam the great wild outdoors...they are carp and somewhat hardy so some states have fines for releasing them or putting them in a natural pond where they can get loose. Check your state's rules and regs. You can also raise them indoors in a big tank so they will get huge... about 8 inches.
Just be prepared to have them around for a good long while...unless you are raising them as pond snacks.
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4 comments:
What will happen to your little fishies when you move?
Mary,
We plan to hold a plant and fishy adoption party after we clean the ornamental pond this spring. Come get a few interesting fish!
Hopefully, the new owners of the farm also want pond snacks too! Can't do anything about the frogs, turtles, and other critters who love hanging out around the pond.
Some of the third generation goldfish..the huge monstrous looking 8 inch ones we are taking with us.
Cool! I just might drop by - but I have 4 cats, so maybe it wouldn't be a good idea after all. :-(
Cats love to watch goldfish. Its like "Kitty TV". But they hate to get their paws wet so the fish are safe! We clean in late April and should have a whole barrel to chose from. Its like a wild fish round-up..there's even pintos and albinos in there. I'll e-mail you!
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