Have you seen your pond fish lately? Don't panic!! Though frustrating, it is absolutely not uncommon to have periods of time exist where your pond fish seem to be hiding. Fish are sure to become one of the most prized possessions in the backyard-- after all, you get to watch them grow, eat out of your hands and bring smiles to all of your visitors!
While often temporary, pond fish tend to "hide" for a few different reasons. Given time and small adjustments to your fish will show themselves again! First step is to determine the most likely reason your fish may be hiding:
While often temporary, pond fish tend to "hide" for a few different reasons. Given time and small adjustments to your fish will show themselves again! First step is to determine the most likely reason your fish may be hiding:
Are the fish new to the pond?
If you have recently introduced new fish in your backyard pond, you can expect them to be a bit skittish until they figure out their new homes and their new roommates. Think about it literally: standard retail tanks are not only smaller with a sterile feel to them, but they are also generally housed inside and do not experience the elements from Mother Nature. When considering all the different seasonal changes that Lebanon County in Central Pennyslvania experiences, making the move to an outdoor world could absolutely be scary!
Adding new fish to you pond could cause your existing koi or goldfish to hide too. You can try to coax your pond fish out from hiding by being consistent: feed the fish at the same place and time every day, ensuring that your shadow is not casting itself over the pond. They need to learn to trust you!
Adding new fish to you pond could cause your existing koi or goldfish to hide too. You can try to coax your pond fish out from hiding by being consistent: feed the fish at the same place and time every day, ensuring that your shadow is not casting itself over the pond. They need to learn to trust you!
Have there been any changes in water quality?
Your fish may also be hiding if there is a sudden change in the water quality, pH level or oxygen level inside of your backyard ecosystem. In order to know if this is the reason for the hiding of your fish, you would have to be testing pond water regularly for ammonia levels and pH levels. The Dreamscapes Pond and Aquatic Center carries several test kits to read an array of different levels to include ammonia, pH, nitrate and nitrite. You may want to test the water in the morning and evening and use the average since the pH does change throughout the day.
As temperature rises during the summer, the need for dissolved oxygen in the hot summer also increases. If ample oxygen is not available, the health of the fish can be compromised, stressing them out-- oxygen is especially important as your fish grow. A great way to dramatically increase the aeration is by the addition of a air station, also known as a bubbler.
Bubblers can be used on the bottom of the pond during the summer and on the plant shelf during the Winter to maintain a hole in the ice. Dreamscapes sells air stations (bubblers) in their Retail Aquatic Center year round!
As temperature rises during the summer, the need for dissolved oxygen in the hot summer also increases. If ample oxygen is not available, the health of the fish can be compromised, stressing them out-- oxygen is especially important as your fish grow. A great way to dramatically increase the aeration is by the addition of a air station, also known as a bubbler.
Bubblers can be used on the bottom of the pond during the summer and on the plant shelf during the Winter to maintain a hole in the ice. Dreamscapes sells air stations (bubblers) in their Retail Aquatic Center year round!
Have there been any recent visits from predators?
Pond predators, like raccoons, mink and heron love to snack on backyard pond inhabitants. Your koi fish always hiding could indicate a predator has been frequenting your pond. Koi caves, also known as fish tunnels, are great additions to your pond to give your fish some place to take cover when a predator is lurking. Depending upon how often the predator was frequenting your pond, it may be a couple weeks until you see your fish again.
In order to keep heron out of your pond, you can try a combination of different measures:
1) String fishing line 1-2 inches apart laterally across the pond in areas where plant shelves exist. The fishing line, if strung correctly, deters the heron by making it difficult for them to step into the pond.
2) Use a "Heron Decoy" by Aquascape, Inc. making sure to move the decoy every other day when you know the heron is lurking. Heron are very territorial birds and they do not like to share with others. They are also smart birds and they will know the decoy is a fake if they realize it has not moved in some time.
3) The use of a pond net, though unappealing, protects the fish by making it absolutely impossible to get into the pond. This could be the same net you use during Fall/Winter Pond Maintenance.
In order to keep heron out of your pond, you can try a combination of different measures:
1) String fishing line 1-2 inches apart laterally across the pond in areas where plant shelves exist. The fishing line, if strung correctly, deters the heron by making it difficult for them to step into the pond.
2) Use a "Heron Decoy" by Aquascape, Inc. making sure to move the decoy every other day when you know the heron is lurking. Heron are very territorial birds and they do not like to share with others. They are also smart birds and they will know the decoy is a fake if they realize it has not moved in some time.
3) The use of a pond net, though unappealing, protects the fish by making it absolutely impossible to get into the pond. This could be the same net you use during Fall/Winter Pond Maintenance.
These are a few of the more common reasons and solutions to you koi fish always hiding. It’s important to remember that most of these issues can be resolved and given time, most fish will become comfortable in their home and show themselves more frequently.
For more information on koi pond fish, please contact us directly!
Dreamscapes carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! If you think you need it, we have it!
Retail Hours: April 5th-October 27th 2018:
Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm
October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT
Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]
Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA.
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