Constructive Advice Needed Please

[michaela123d]

Recently I have been asked to feed my elderly neighbours goldfish as she had gone into a home for a short period of time. I was advised that there were in excess of 200 fish in the pond. Having had a couple of ponds in the past I have a little experience with this however I was shocked to see that she has a pond approx 10ft by 8ft and only 14 inches deep with a pump that no longer works.

Apparently this pond was built by her now deceased husband and she has an emotional attachment to it. To the extent that even though she is unable to care for these fish herself she cannot bear to get rid of them. I have made enquiries at my local garden/aquatic centre and have been advised to bag the fish and bring them to the garden centre. Can anyone tell me what type of company I could contact to do this for me as I feel unable to undertake such a mammoth task my self and also if the lady in question refuses to hear of these fish being taken away what can I do. I cannot sit back and see these fish die. I was advised by a friend that last Summer over 90 fish died. For info and I hope I can be advised on this, at present I am leaving a hose in the pond which just trickles water in 24 hours a day (as there is a crack in the wall of the pond there isn't an issue with overflow) until a decision has been made does this help.

This is a really difficult situation, her cousins who are her only family have asked that for the present I do nothing other that feed them and they will try and talk her into giving up the fish. I would be hugely grateful for any advice on this. Many thanks in advance

 

[MewMew42]

the pond has 7200 litres or 1583 gallons, and I would advise you talk to her about getting a filter rather than getting rid of the fish

I fear that this will just upset her as this is probably one thing that reminds her of her husband, what kind of fish are in there? is it goldfish? shubs? koi? and what sizes are we looking at? are there visibly hundreds when you look into teh pond? do they look ill at all?

at present barely feed them at all this will help with the waste othe than that theres not much else you can do

 

[michaela123d]

the pond has 7200 litres or 1583 gallons, and I would advise you talk to her about getting a filter rather than getting rid of the fish

I fear that this will just upset her as this is probably one thing that reminds her of her husband, what kind of fish are in there? is it goldfish? shubs? koi? and what sizes are we looking at? are there visibly hundreds when you look into teh pond? do they look ill at all?

at present barely feed them at all this will help with the waste othe than that theres not much else you can do

Thanks very much for this help. The fish are all goldfish and shubunkins (not sure of the spelling!) The sizes vary with the largest being around 5" long. It is very difficult to see them as the water is green. they don't look ill. When you mention a filter - presumably you have to run this with a pump? Are you also suggesting that there is not too many in the pond providing she gets proper filtration sorted out. Thanks in advance

 

[Ryefish]

Where abouts in the world are you? I dont think fish can survive the winter so well in a pond that is only 14" deep

 

[michaela123d]

Where abouts in the world are you? I dont think fish can survive the winter so well in a pond that is only 14" deep

Apologies for the delay in replying. I'm in the UK so our Winters aren't that bad. They survived last Winter which was our coldest for about 10years!. I have spoken to the elderly lady who is now back at home and she is keen for me to find them new homes as she realises that she is unable to care for them and their environment is unsuitable. She did tell me that two Summers ago she lost 162 of them due to the hot weather and last year 16 died. I'm doing my best to find homes for them at the moment. I'll keep you posted!!. Thanks for all the advice

 

[juggernuts]

wow that sounds like a lot of fish never mind in a pond that size! Again where abouts are you situated?

hope you get the problem solved, nice to see someone actually taking the time and effort and most of all the consideration to help not only someone elderly (least important) but the fishys too!

 

[tess_774]

Hi, do you still have the goldfish? where abouts in the UK are you?

Thanks

wow that sounds like a lot of fish never mind in a pond that size! Again where abouts are you situated?

hope you get the problem solved, nice to see someone actually taking the time and effort and most of all the consideration to help not only someone elderly (least important) but the fishys too!