There wasn't a speck of frost anywhere this morning - not on house roofs, grass or the road outside my house.
But, to my horror, I discovered a layer of ice had formed over my pond.
I gently broke the ice, so there were holes to allow oxygen to reach
It was only by pure chance that I peeked out of my sitting room window to check my garden before heading off to work.
In an instant, my heart missed a beat. My pond was all but empty of water.
I screamed, very loudly, and ran outside - to find my three,
Will my fish waste away and die if I neglect to feed them all winter?
Although I have been advised to stop feeding them now that the colder weather has started to arrive, they are still active and swimming around. They look, to me, as though they are
ARE pond fish more likely to be taken by predators in the autumn and winter?
Early yesterday morning, I spotted a scarggy-looking cat standing on the rim of my pond. One of its paws was in the water. I opened a window and shouted at it to go away.
I have slowly reduced the amount and frequency that I feed my fish.
At the moment, they are receiving a small pinch of flakes every three days.
Soon, I will stop feeding them completely.
Because I am learning 'on the job', so to speak, I may have to
I have had my pond fish for almost seven months. They are currently in tip-top condition.However, I'm worried about what the winter will bring.I am aware of my duty to prevent the pond from totally freezing over, re oxygen.What I am worried about is the
My pond water is getting clearer and clearer.And, yesterday I could have sworn my fish were watching me strim the grass.They are curious.
I have noticed today that my pond water is clearing.I'm assuming this is due to a slight dip in temperature.Pond weed has taken root. Will probably 'cull' a bit, to avoid it taking over.
I have been topping up my pond, when necessary.
The fish have really grown and seem active and happy.
I haven't seen the large frog again. However, I've noticed a number of baby frogs hopping around my garden.
I'm hoping my fish will breed next spring.
My pond has attracted a large frog.
One of my goldfish did not recover from white spot.It disappeared for a week before surfacing - dead.The remaining three were treated to a water top up.They look really, really healthy.Full recovery.
One of my goldfish still has white spot and the pond water is murkey brown and looks like soup.Carried out patrial water change and added more white spot treatment.I don't know what else to do.Also, one of my fish is changing colour. His tail and fin
All four fish free of white spot, happy, looking healthy.They have been uprooting plants and the water is murkey, but test kit says it is safe.Will carry out a 50 per cent water change when temperature drops later in the week.Will refill very slowly to
I complete the cycle of white spot treatment on Monday.
I have now carried out a water change, using Tap Safe.
Two of my goldfish appear to be recovering well.
Unfortunately, another seems to have disappeared and the four I've only spotted once in
All four fish are still swimming around. White spots reducing.Continuing with treatment.