My Grandpa is selling his house and he has 2 huge 30 feet deep ponds in his backyard. They are total natural and have never been messed with. It is awful because a developer wants it meaning the ponds will be filled in. I cannot sit around and let these poor fish die (not to mention the birds that come there to fish and the poor frogs and turtles..) so I have a few people taking some of the goldfish to their ponds and I want to try and save a few.

I will be getting a 264 gal. pond for my backyard at my house. I am wondering how well you think these 'wild' goldfish will do in a new pond in my back yard. How do you think I would go about doing it?

I have never had a man made pond before, so I am sort of clueless when it comes to this. Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! B)

Honestly:
I don't think fish that came from a pond that was huge and 30 feet deep will do good in a pond that is only around 250 gallons. That is just my opinion and maybe someone can give you better advice.

Even if I took only a few? I mean I know it would be a big change for them, but what else can I do?

What kind of goldies are in there, Sara? And how big?
I would think as long as you give them adequate space, more under stocked than anything else, then it will be okay. They are used to an enormous body of water to swim in, so the 10 gl rule goes down the drain right there! I would give them at least 50 gl per fish, so they are not feeling too cramped, I mean anything must feel a little crowded to them compared to their big home now.
Of course, if we are talking koi here, then you wouldn't be able to take any. Your pond wouldn't support even one koi, I am afraid.....

There's not really such thing as a wild goldfish, so I don't think that there will be a problem if you moved some of the fish to your pond. They may have enjoyed a lot of space to swim in but as long as you don't overcrowd the fish will adjust to a smaller pond.

wah, 30 feet deep!! that sounds like a lake to me!!

but so sad to see it go..

I think the whole purpose of this board is too provide the fish with the best environment. I think that is the "holy grail" that we are all after.
Can you move a few goldies in there and have them do well. Sure you can if water quality is great and you keep the stocking levels low. It sounds like I am repeating Andreas statements but I would not put more than 3 commons in there. Never any koi.
And seed that new filter if you can since that will go a long way too helping their transition. The last thing a fish that is used too over 1,000 gallons a fish (my guess) is too be put through a cycle.

I can hear you there, Rob! Its like moving from a 5 bedroom house to a 1 bedroom apartment - drives you nuts! Those fish are gonna have a hard time, no matter how good Sara provides for them, so the easier it can be made on them, the better.
I just hope that the people who take in the rest of the fish know what they are doing.... I know Sara knows what the fish need....
And boy, would I love to get my hands on a a few turtles out of that pond, they must be beauties!!

Everything in that pond is beautiful! I have pretty much 'lived' there since I was 3.. I am so sad to see it go. It should be illegal, seriously. The amount of wildlife there.. such a shame.

These are definately not koi's. They are all comets/commons. All the people that may take them know how to look after them.. I have made good sure of that! Talk about the 3rd degree. These fish are all different sizes. Some are huge, and some are really small.

Also, I hate to say this... but... as much as I want all the goldies to get good home, I know that I will not be able to find homes for them all. There must be thousands of fish in there. Instead of them dying horrible deaths but suffocation when they fill the ponds in, do you think it would be horrible to get a vet to euthanize the rest humanely? I mean with Euthanyl and everything? I hate to say it, but it is better than getting dirt poured on your home.

Thanks again for all the input guys!

I think the goodies are going to be upset anyway. They understand they are losing their lovely home. Smaller ones might have better chance to adapt to the new environment, so you'd better just take some 3 inch ones.

You might find some local pet store might be interested in taking some. That way more goodies might have a chance to adapt and find new home.

If I were you, I would wish I can buy that house.

Good luck!

---Goldfishpal

If they are destroying the pond, I think any of them will be better off somewhere else! So sad! Who wouldn't kill to have that pond? And they're going to fill it in? People are so cruel sometimes.

great to hear your takeing some goldies.
I don't see why it would be bad to put the goldies in the 264 gallon
pond just don't put to many in side the pond.

Good luck take pictures

Is the property allready sold to this developer? If not,can't there be some kind of disclosure put in stating that the wildlife on property may not/can not be disturbed? Okay,what about petitions against destroying natural habitat? There's gotta be something! Okay so they're goldies,but through the years,how many wildlife creatures have come to live and breed at these ponds? How many drink from those waters,eat,live in those ponds? Is it allready sold? I'm so upset! :angry:

Believe me, I am upset as well.

That house is willed to me, but I cannot afford to keep it at the moment. I am a student, and I will be for another 12 years, so that is out of the question.

There should be laws surrounding these ponds, but I do not think there is. I have been looking into it though.

I think the developers are going to fill it in. My Grandpa is very upset about this as well, but he has to sell. He loves wildlife etc.. just as much as I do.

The world is so money orientated now, it is sick. If it weren't for money, these fish wouldn't have to be looking for a new home.

The sad thing is, I know that I am not going to be able to find all of them a good home.

Do you think that it would he hard on them to move them to another local river or stream? I know it would be a big change for them, but do you think they would survive?

I think if the property is not sold yet, the owner can officially add contengent to such property to the title and later owners can not change it back (except if it become against some new law). In this case, keeping the ponds can be added to such property in the title.

But that addition would change the value of such property. The developer probably would not buy this house anymore, but other people like us would think this house worth more.

---Goldfish

That's what I'm saying! and who knows where this property is and how bad the developer really wants it-It's always possible that they still may want it bad enough to work around it. Stuff like that i'm sure happens more than you think! I remember reading stories on that order,except it's 6am.,and Ive had a couple hrs. sleep and memory isn't too good right now! I think it's worth a shot! I don't know,trying to move all those fish,is like trying to find a lost ring in the ocean,and anyway,there's so much more to that-birds,turtles,frogs,snakes,and any other wildlife that live in that area,they all depend on those ponds!

are you sure these ponds actually 30 feet deep?! if so, "WOW"! that would mean that they are very very big around (a football field each).

if i were you i would contact the local news authorities and see if maybe they would run a peice on the impending doom of the ponds and their inhabitants. they could also put something in there about the possibility of adoptions for the turtles and fish. im sure that there are some other ponds near there that could use some "extra inhabitants". sheesh, im really diggin' deep here, huh?

i work in the construction biz here in florida and i witness the destruction of many many acres of prime habitat on a daily basis.

sorry about my rantings, it seems to be on my mind a lot lately. i swear, im going to worry myself to death one day.

on a lighter note, i wish you the best of luck with your ponds. i cant wait to see a pic or two of your new one. keep us posted.

I wouldn't say these ponds are a football field in length, but I have measured them myself with a pole, and in the middle, they are 30 feet deep.

See, that is the thing. My Granpda needs this money, and he even thinks it is real crappy that this world is all about money, but, he does need to sell. And, if we said no ripping apart the ponds, it is true that this developer would not buy this land.

I will keep you all updated on this matter. Maybe I will wait to make a stink about it after he buys it.. run ad5 on the news etc... petitions... Shhhh! B)



Oh yes, funny enough this developer is from Florida. He is coming here to Ontario on Tuesday or something to see our home.

really? all the way from florida thats pretty far.

It is far, I know.

The guy is supposedly coming this Saturday now. We'll see.

My Grandpa really doesn't want to see the ponds destroyed, but he will not add anything into the sale thing to say that they cannot because he really wants to sel right now. It breaks my heart, and his as well, but it is something that needs to be done.

Just tonight my Grandpa was asking me if I have found any homes. He really wants the fish to do well after leaving his house. He also told me to look into putting them into other natural ponds/rivers which I think is a good idea. I am just wondering how well they will do.

I saw a huuuge turtle in the pond a few days ago too. This is so crappy! :angry:

oh,im sure it's going to be a big lost
aswell to may animals,not only the frogs, and fish but the turtles
and im sure birds would come to this pond aswell im
very sorry about whats happening.

Thanks for your concern, Alexander. I am also saddened by this. But, I am going to do my best to turn it into a positive (or at least somewhat) thing. B)

For the turtles, maybe you can have a look at Turtleforum.com. They have a great group over there, very knowledgeable, and there is an adoption section further down the page. Maybe somebody lives close to your grandpa, and would be able to take the turtles in.
I love my turtles equally to my goldies, and those wonderful creatures deserve a loving home as well. Too bad I am so far away, I would take one in a heart beat! I just them!

Aww, thanks Andrea. I also love turtles. I will look at that site, thanks!